Robin Trower reworks some of his favorite blues and rhythm
and blues
standards in Roots and Branches: “I soon realized that I must come up
with original arrangements for each of these songs so that my versions
would not suffer too badly in comparison to the classic tracks.”
Contrary to Trower’s reservations, his new arrangements only confirm his
absolute mastery of the blues. Roots and Branches compares favorably
with similar recent efforts by Johnny Winter (Roots) and Gregg Allman
(Low Country Blues). Tasteful arrangements and delicious solos abound.
Leiber and Stoller’s Hound Dog, most famously recorded in rowdy fashion by Elvis Presley (the b-side to Don’t Be Cruel) becomes a slow bluesy affair in Trower’s hands. Trower makes BB King’s signature song The Thrill is Gone his own with shimmering solos in a much more intimate affair than King’s grandiose, string-backed production. Born Under A Bad Sign (first recorded by Albert King) is every bit an ominous tale of bad luck and dissolution as the version sung by Trower’s friend Jack Bruce on Cream’s Wheels of Fire. Other standards covered by Trower include Willie Dixon’s Little Red Rooster, most notably covered by the Rolling Stones and Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup’s That’s Allright, Mama, also covered by Presley.
Trower also added a few new songs of his to Roots and Branches. In a perhaps autobiographical mood, the now-68 year old Trower in See My Life sings life “as one long day … evening passed and midnight’s on its way,” but casting off “scenes of loss,” Trower resolves “I just wanna play my guitar.” Trower has recorded a number of excellent blues oriented albums in his career – 20th Century Blues (1994), Someday Blues (1997), and Another Day’s Blues (2005), all highly recommended. Roots and Branches is a solid addition to this body of work.