Album:Bridge of Sighs
Released:20April’74
Recorded:’73-‘74@Olympic and AIR studios, London
Genre:Blues Rock
Label:Chrysalis/Capitol
Producer:Matthew Fisher
English guitar legend/hero name Robin Trower(born as Robin Leonard Trower March 9, '45)in his 1st band the Paramounts in '62-'66, + Robin's short lived trio The Jam, then later replacing original guitarist Ray Royer of '60's psychedelic blues rock band Procol Harum(formed by Robin's Westcliff High School peer Gary Brooker who also played in the Paramounts)after the successful debut release of A Whiter Shade of Pale in '67(Robin did not play on the track, but did play on all the other tracks on the LP).Robin putting down his Gibson SG, Gibson Les Paul, Gibson ES models, and Gretsch guitars to start more of a Jimi Hendrix kind of vibe from '71 to present after borrowing Jethro Tull's Martin Barre's Fender Stratocaster during a soundcheck in '71(when Procol Harum was touring with Tull)Robin yelling in the auditorium "That is it!" and never going back to any other guitar of choice.After Hendrix’s death on Sept 18, ‘70 Robin and Procol Harum’s lyricist Keith Reid decided to write a tribute to Jimi.”I thought, ‘Well, to make sure I get it right, I’ll sit down and study some of his albums’,” said Trower.Then it was the “atmosphere” of just a few tracks that nailed him-especially “1983…(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)(“Electric Ladyland” released Oct ‘68)and “The Wind Cries Mary”(released on Jimi Hendrix’s debut “Are You Experienced” May ‘67).”From studying I got inspired,” Trower said.”Song For A Dreamer” released on Robin’s 5th LP with Procol Harum “Broken Barricades” ‘71.The track gave Robin a new solo guitarist direction.Robin left Procol Harum in ‘73ish after completing 5 studio LP's from '67-April/June '71.Trower made a brief reunion on The Prodigal Stranger LP in '91.Later Robin started his own solo rock'n roll road career with a new band called Robin Trower.Robin Trower was rising from the dust and ashes of Jimi Hendrix and after the hazy Woodstock festival filling arenas up to 15-20,000 in the ‘70’s with his similar psychedelic rig/sound, playing and trippy song writing ideas.Robin Trower consisted of UNDERRATED former Scottish bassist/vocalist James Dewar(played a Fender and Gibson bass, Ampeg amps)from another '60's blues psychedelic band, Stone The Crows, Reg Isidore(Ludwig drummer)who was born in Aruba.Originally Robin Trower's drummer was going to consist of Jethro Tull's drummer Clive Bunker but I guess it didn't work out.But Robin was in a short lived band called Jude after he split from Procol Harum which consisted of Clive Bunker, bassist James Dewar, and lead singer Frankie Miller.The band never made a single recording and broke up.Robin Trower releasing their debut LP in March '73, Twice Removed From Yesterday which was a combination of psychedelic blues/rock.Robin Trower released a certified gold 2nd LP called Bridge of Sighs in April '74(early pressing covers were upside-down/greenish), both LP's produced by producer who also worker with Procol Harum, Matthew Fisher(organist).Bridge of Sighs included fan concert setlist favorites throughout his career.Apparently the title of the electrifying 2nd LP was named after a race horse called Bridge of Sighs Robin found in a sports book/magazine and thought it would be a cool name for a song/LP title.Bridge of Sighs listed #7 and on the U.S. charts for 31 weeks, certified gold on Sept 10, '74!Day of the Eagle with again a Hendrix vibe and mirrors Jimi’s song Spanish Castle Magic(in my opinion using similar rhythm notation and C#7#9 or C#min7 chord)from Jimi’s 2 LP Axis: Bold as Love(released Dec 1, ‘67).Early versions of "Day of the Eagle"(Track 1 on 2nd LP and originally titled as "Another Day, Another Night"), and "Little Bit Of Sympathy" can be heard live as early as June or July '73@Bataclan, Paris on "French Pop 2" TV"(seen on YouTube).Not meant to be note for note but a call and response idea to mimic an overdub effect on my tribute.Both of Trower’s first 2 LP cover arts were by "Funky" Paul Olsen.Robin Trower well noted for using late '60's-early '70's Fender Stratocaster's(black, olympic white, sunburst or in a solid color like red or gold with maple fretboards for the most part, sometimes rosewood fretboards)with the fat Hendrix headstocks(most times), Marshall amp stacks, Uni or Deja Vibe, wah, tube overdrive, and fuzz pedals(Fuzz Face).
Robin Trower:
Robin Trower–guitar
James Dewar–bass vocals
Reg Isidore–drums
Gear
FenderStandardStratocaster(BrownSunburst)
RolandMicroCubeGXAmp(ClassicStack/Chorus/Reverb)
BossFB-2Feedbacker/Booster
JimDunlopFFM6JimiHendrix"BandofGypsys"MiniFuzzFace
VoxV847AWah
FulltoneRobinTrowerSignatureOverdrive
MXRM-68Uni-Vibe
BossGE-7Equalizer
ErnieBallCoilCable
ErnieBallStrings
JimDunlopPicks
AceVintage'70'sJimmyPage/RobinTrowerGuitarStrap
JimiHendrixLive@"NorthernCaliforniaFolkRockFestival",SantaClaraCountyFairgrounds,May25,’69(glow in the dark/black light)T-shirt