A funk blues “Diving Bell” opens Robin Trower’s 2019 release Coming Closer To The Day. With heavy pull-offs and ‘wah wah’ leading right out of the gate here, it’s evident that this 73-year-old Stratocaster master is in top form. The title track manages a mid-tempo, mournful vibe, reminiscent of Trower’s “Bridge Of Sighs.” With Trower handling vocals, as well as guitar, I just love how his lived-in voice sounds here and on the other tracks.
“Little Girl Blue,” the slowest electric guitar blues ballad on Coming Closer To The Day is, heads above all the wild guitar flights. This is all you could ever hope for from a player of Robin Trower’s skill, maturity, precise feel, moments of riff daring, and pure emotion that weaves within the song, never outweighing it. “Tell Me” and “Take Me With You” are harder stompers that allow Trower to throw out all his bluesman styles.
Playing all the instruments here except drums, Coming Closer To The Day is a singular vision of electric blues playing and songwriting. With a pedigree reaching back to his early 60s band the Paramounts, followed by a five-album career with Procol Harum, then a prolific solo career, collaborations with Jack Bruce, and guest spots on various albums, there are few players around still writing and recording decent records. Coming Closer To The Day marks yet another day we are blessed to have Robin Trower around.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
