From the funky stomps of “Shame The Devil,” and the one-two punch of a great vocal from James Dewar and Robin Trower’s guitar leads on “Confessin’ Midnight,” For Earth Below reached Number 5 on the Billboard charts in the US. Fifty years later, it’s been boxed up with four CDs featuring a 2025 stereo remix of the album, outtakes, rarities and live cuts.
Cementing Trower’s presence as a solo artist off his iconic standing in Procol Harum, For Earth Below followed on the heels of the highly successful Bridge Of Sighs album with the stunning title track, “Day Of The Eagle,” and others would become classics for the guitarist. On For Earth Below, drummer Bill Lordan is the newest recruit, coming off a year with Sly Stone. Together with Trower and Dewar, who handles the bass as well as sings, things do indeed get funky across eight songs comprising the first (with the original 1975 mix, remastered for this set)and second discs (with the 2025 mix).
The third disc contains 15 Outtakes & Rarities, the first four songs unreleased until now. We also get a few vocal-only takes and rehearsals, plus two BBC radios specials with interviews and performances, The fourth disc, titled Live At The Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall, Los Angels, 16th March 1975, is released here for the first time in its entirety. The 13 songs include a heavy reliance on material from For Earth Below and Bridge Of Sighs plus some from Trower’s first solo album, Twice Removed From Yesterday.
There’s a wild, stretched out “Bridge of Sighs” and a chunky mid-set “Too Rolling Stoned.” Trower is pretty much off the hook completely when wailing around “Rock Me, Baby.” It’s these kinds of extras that make collections like this really worth it. For Earth Below (50th Anniversary Edition) also includes a booklet with liner notes by acclaimed journalist David Sinclair. In short, this is set — also available as a double LP and digitally — captures a period in Trower’s career when he was really at the top of his game.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
