By Ralph Greco, Jr.
Photos by Rob Blackham
For guitarist Robin Trower, there is no end in sight. His 2019 release Coming Closer To The Day reveals the 73-year-old Stratocaster master at the top of his game — playing all the instruments, except the drums, then taking it on the road, and going his own way for most of the latter part of his career.
Trower has a command of precisely what he does and how he most wants to do it. At least that was the impression I got after a quick conversation we had as he spends his time, smack dab in the middle of crossing the U.S., playing for a devoted following.
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So you are currently in the middle of yet another U.S. jaunt.
Yes, we are three weeks out at the moment, crossing the Midwest, and will end in Seattle.
Will this tour extend to the U.K. or any other countries?
No, there’s nothing in cards at the moment, America is definitely where my strongest audiences are.
Why do you think that is exactly?
It’s probably to do with the fact that my music is very American-based, with your blues and those particular styles. I think that’s probably the best reason for the connection.
While you certainly have played with some heavyweights during your career and are sporting a killer band presently, on Coming Closer To The Day you play all the instruments, except the drums. Other than only ever having yourself to reprimand when a part isn’t going right, what other advantages do you find working, pretty much, solo?
By myself, I can make sure I like everything along the way, and I can do a lot of working out the parts beforehand. I am already halfway through a new album and am forever developing the process, and find doing it almost all by myself a very happy way for me to do things.
Are you open to guests coming down to play a part here or there?
I’d certainly never say never. I might find something where I think, ‘Oh so-and-so might be the right singer for this song’ and have him or her down.
Speaking of singing, in the press release I read for Coming Closer To The Day, you remark on how you worked especially diligently to write in keys you could really sing well. There are quite a few songs on this record where I think your singing is especially strong.
Well, thank you. Yes, I think I am getting better at shifting to certain keys when I need to make sure my singing will sound better. I have tried hard to work with my limited range, and I think in singing as much as I have now over the past few albums I have been in a good learning stage, finding out as I go along.
Would you say you are still learning the guitar as well?
Yes, most certainly. With every new song, I’m inventing something new, and every song I write starts off with the guitar idea first. I’ll know immediately if the song is going to make it for me if I enjoy playing the lead for it. If it doesn’t give me any joy, I know I have to put that song aside.
And you don’t write on any other instruments other than guitar?
No, I don’t.
Switching gears for a quick moment, did you get a copy of the Procol Harum boxset Still There’ll Be More – An Anthology 1967-2017?
No, I haven’t. I didn’t even know it was out.
As far as that band or any other, do you have moments of nostalgia?
In that particular band, it was about touring America, being in the studio, learning a lot. Anything I have done, be it Procol Harum or any band I have been in or any people I’ve played with, has been my school where I learned my trade.
Can we mention the players you are out on the road with?
Yes, I have Chris Taggart playing drums, as he did on the new album, and Richard Watts on vocals and playing bass.
Can you tell me what’s especially powerful going out as a three piece?
I think the main thing with a three piece is that it gives plenty of space, but at the same time, it is an incredible challenge to fill that space. I have to play with great intensity pretty much all the time.
And can you hint at what audiences hear at your shows?
I do most of the most popular stuff, songs off of Bridge Of Sighs, In City Dreams, a couple other bits and pieces, songs from the new album.
You seem to be keeping your head down, releasing new music, playing…
Yes, that’s it exactly.
So, the new paradigm of the music business doesn’t affect you so much?
For me, I am fortunate to have always had a strong creative engine that’s kept my pot boiling. But as far as the business side goes, there are two crucial factors that keeps the whole thing going really. One is that I do what I do exactly the way I want to do, with my own label and my way of recording, writing, and playing live. And two — and this allows me to do the first really — is that there are enough people buying the CDs. I think I would have had to have stopped a long time ago if this wasn’t the case. So that’s the two most important factors.
Well, speaking for all your fans, we are happy you are doing what you are doing.
Thank you very much. I appreciate that very much.
