Robin Trower

The King Center

Friday. April 1, Melbourne, FL

Robin Trower is by all accounts a legend. His seminal album, Bridge of Sighs, is considered by many to be one of the finest rock guitar albums ever recorded. And now, 42 years on, it holds up just fine against anything you can compare it to.

Opening with a firey reading of “Too Rolling Stoned,” Trower, fronting a three piece, set the pace for an evening of serious guitar histrionics and involved jamming.

As the upbeat “Day of the Eagle” slowed and morphed into “Bridge of Sighs” the song unfolded, reveling itself as the dense, unhurried, meditative song it is. The deep riff unspools steadily, to reveal a mesmerizing performance. This produced the first standing ovation of the night.

“Spellbound” was an unexpected highlight. By turns introspective and slyly seductive, Trower and the band created a hypnotic delivery of the number.

The band delivered a formidable 90 minute set of inspired music. They closed with a solid rendition of “A Little Bit of Sympathy.”

Live, these songs, as well as the rest of the catalog prove themselves to be venerable and timeless in the hands of a true master. Trower, now 71, has weathered changes in popular music, by staying true to his own blues soaked vision, and never wavering. He seemed spry and energized, with no plans on slowing down any time soon.

-IM-