Few Words, Plenty of Guitar: Robin Trower at Royal Oak Music Theater
Royal Oak,Michigan-Robin Trower has never been a guitarist who needed to talk up his abilities. His playing has always made the case and his 65-minute performance at the Royal Oak Music Theatre was an impressive reminder of why his blues-heavy brand of rock has endured for more than five decades.
Working through a 13-song set, Trower hit on all the familiar staples such as “Day of the Eagle”and “Bridge of Sighs” then added a touch of newer material. As always, he offered little conversation between songs, instead acknowledging the applause with an occasional smile and wave.
The crowd reflected the reach of that ageless catalog also. Concertgoers in their 20s shared the theater with longtime fans, including one 75-year-old who was seeing Trower for the 65th time. It was an impressive measure of staying power for a guitarist whose reputation was built during the early 1970s but whose music has continued to find listeners across multiple generations.
“Too Rolling Stoned” opened the show with a mesmerizing display of guitar work that remains Trower’s calling card. His playing favors feel over flash, with sustained notes, long expressive bends and blues-based riffs taking precedence over speed for speed’s sake. The result is a sound that can be heavy at times without becoming blunt and melodic without losing its edge.
Trower mixed in material from across his catalog, including “Live Your Time,” “Somebody Calling” and “One Go Round.” “Distant Places of the Heart,” originally recorded with Jack Bruce, brought another connection to his history with one of British rock’s most respected musicians. The eclectic array of cuts gave the performance some range without pulling it away from the guitar-driven approach of the core itself.
“No More Worlds to Conquer” brought a different shade to the set, with Trower giving the song the same unhurried guitar treatment that has long distinguished his playing.
The night’s most recognizable material arrived mid set with “Day of the Eagle” and “Bridge of Sighs,” both from Trower’s landmark 1974 album. “Day of the Eagle” brought a sharper attack, its driving riff giving Trower room to stretch out without losing the song’s underlying groove. “Bridge of Sighs” was more atmospheric, built around the descending guitar figure and sustained notes that have made it one of his signature recordings.
The contrast between the two songs continue to remain central to Trower’s stage longevity. He can push a riff hard, then pull back into a slower passage where a single bent note carries more substance than a flurry of notes ever could. His solos serve the songs rather than becoming showcases, a well earned distinction that has helped his playing endure beyond the era in which he first made his mark.
“Daydream,” brought a more relaxed, exploratory feel, while “Little Bit of Sympathy,” supplied a livelier finish to the main set. The encore paired “The Razor’s Edge” with “Birdsong,” closing the evening with two different sides of Trower’s playing: one rooted in a tougher blues-rock attack, the other allowing more space for his guitar to breathe.
At 65 minutes, the performance was short enough to leave some fans wanting another song or two. The 13-song selection covered a substantial portion of Trower’s catalog, however, and avoided turning the evening into an extended exercise in revisiting the past.
To his credit, Trower remains a guitarist with a distinct musical identity, one built on tone, phrasing and an instinct for knowing when to let a note hang in the air. He did not need lengthy introductions or stories between songs to make his case for the evening.
The audience included fans who have followed him for decades and younger listeners still discovering his music. For both groups, the appeal was much the same: a veteran guitarist, a strong collection of songs and a playing ability that continues to speak for itself.
Robin Trower at Royal Oak Music Theater Gallery:
Robin Trower
Royal Oak Music Theater