British blues maestro Robin Trower‘s previous full-length “No More Worlds to Conquer” was one of the highlights of last year in terms of quality blues releases. The title could perhaps have been interpreted as a coded farewell but, fortunately, it wasn’t. The thing is, this elderly statesman is back at it again, releasing a new studio album entitled “Joyful Sky,” featuring New Yorker Sari Schorr as a guest vocalist on each track. The album is due out on October 27th, 2023, via Provogue Records, and this transatlantic endeavor represents an apt vindication for his six-decades-long quiet blues rebellion; Schorr‘s smoky vocal power elevates Trower‘s emotive guitar touch to a level of its own, adding a distinct layer of R&B into the songs. While so many of his fellow Sixties survivors have resorted to exclusively recycling their old hits, this new selection quite unmistakably suggests Trower isn’t showing signs of running out of ideas any time soon.
His previous album relied rather heavily on the slow-burning, yet remarkably haunting blues ballads; this new effort sets things in motion with a rather slow-cooking sonic brew as well. The opener, “Burn,” is a plaintive, slow blues shuffle that could easily trigger flashbacks of Trower‘s own gargantuan classic “Bridge of Sighs” (namely, because of his delicious guitar tone drenched in the phaser effect) or even some early LED ZEPPELIN blues ballads. Schorr‘s smoky vocals add a delicious veneer of the “Lady sings the blues” variety.
Next up, “I’ll Be Moving On,” picks up the pace a bit and Schorr gears up the rasp in her voice accordingly. Interestingly, she is a classically trained singer with a five-octave range, but at some point her love for Billie Holiday and Etta James lured her to opt for a career in the blues clubs rather than the opera. Her track record, to which this album is quite an impressive addition, shows that it was the right decision. When she belts out her rasp is not perhaps as raw as that of, say, Sam Brown or Etta James but it’s powerful enough to send shivers up your spine. One prime example on this album could be the funky stomp of the song, “The Circle Is Complete.” Not only does her vocal prowess shine through in the first half of this particular song, but Trower‘s guitar also weaves nothing short of pristine contours in the song’s instrumental, slowed-down coda.
On the previous outing, there were nice Stevie Ray Vaughan vibes here and there and the streak continues on this new endeavor too, most prominently in the song, “The Distance.” Trower‘s signature guitarism is obviously a tad more temperate, let alone a distinct style on its own, but, nonetheless, there is something peculiar in the song’s fundamental riffing that lends authenticity to this impression. It’s actually intriguing to think that this could be what SRV might have sounded like, had he collaborated with some blues songstress of this caliber.
One of the absolute standout tracks in this selection is the gritty, slow-tempo banger, “Peace Of Mind,” which triggers pleasant flashbacks of the latest BLUES PILLS album “Holy Moly” (2020) even, with its raw R&B aesthetic. Another haunting gem is the title track with its melancholy, raw soul. In the latter case, what caught my ear, in particular, were those minimalist guitar licks, commenting on the lyrics in just the right places. The delivery of emotion in the vocal department is also something worth mentioning – Schorr‘s rasp is quite spine-chilling here!
Then, in addition to the funky stomp of “The Circle is Complete,” the track leading to it is equally funky, although leaning perhaps a little more to the swampy sound of Dr. John rather than TOWER OF POWER. This song is also a prime example of a funky vibe created via the ”path of least resistance,” so to speak; the song is stripped down to just the most basic elements, and, still, it grooves like hell! There’s nothing extra – just what the song needs.
The album ends with a gospel-like blues ballad entitled “I Will Always Be Your Shelter.” If I’m being sincere, it is exactly the kind of ballad that I rarely find particularly exciting. So, for me, it is the only minor blemish on this otherwise haunting blues experience. Given that nine songs out of ten delivered right up to specs, I’d say Trower‘s new offering is well worth checking out if blues is something you might fancy. It is something rather venerable that, closing in on his eighties, Mr. Trower has released two blues albums within a relatively short time span – and neither of these outings does shy away in the slightest when it comes to class A guitarism – and, in this particular case, flashing his artistic instinct through perfect collaboration.
Written by Jani Lehtinen
Tracklist
- Burn
- I’ll Be Moving On
- The Distance
- Peace of Mind
- Change It
- Joyful Sky
- Need For You
- The Circle Is Complete
- Flatter to Deceive
- I Will Always Be Your Shelter
Lineup
Robin Trower – guitars
Sari Schorr – vocals
(further info not disclosed)
Label
Provogue Records
