ROBBEN FORD – Into The Sun (2015)

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On March 31 guitar master ROBBEN FORD will release his new album “Into The Sun” via the Mascot Label Group. The CD it’s another proof of Ford’s skillful songwriting as well as his extraordinary playing, enhanced by guest appearances by vocalist ZZ Ward & Keb’ Mo’, and fellow guitar virtuosos Warren Haynes, Sonny Landreth, Robert Randolph and Tyler Bryant.

If you never heard Robben Ford, you are missing something important in contemporary Rock. The man has played with everyone, has an impressive solo career and transited all musical styles.
Ford has over 35 albums under his own name or with bands and has played in concert / albums with Bonnie Raitt, Kiss, Rick Springfield, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald or Marc Jordan just to name few. He is a five-time Grammy nominee as well.

For this new record, Ford concentrates in Classic Rock, but not your ordinary Classic Rock, this baby oozes class from every corner.
Although Ford’s recent releases have been hailed as returns to his musical roots — which go back to his discovery of blues as a teenager – “Into The Sun” is a clear departure, using tradition as a springboard to incorporate his timeless vocabulary of classic rock, pop and blues into a modern framework for his poetic lyrics and the most graceful, emotionally nuanced and melodic vocal performances of his career.

The album features a coterie of guests: gritty guitar rock newcomer Tyler Bryant on “Stone Cold Heaven,” Allman Brothers guitarist and Gov’t Mule frontman Warren Haynes on “High Heels And Throwing Things,” slide guitar guru Sonny Landreth on “So Long 4 U,” blues icon Keb’ Mo’ and pedal steel wizard Robert Randolph on “Justified,” and vocal sensation ZZ Ward on “Breath Of Me.”
Niko Bolas, whose credits include John Mayer and Keith Richards, engineered.

The opening track, “Rose of Sharon”, lulls you into thinking this is going to be a very laid-back album. From the first melancholic chords, the guitar seems to be telling a story of lost love, backed up by the incessant drumbeat that gives the impression of someone trudging slowly away.
Follower “Day of the Planets”, by contrast, finds Robben in a much more upbeat mood, which carries on through much of the rest of the album. The riff is extremely catchy and jumpin’.
Normally when you listen to an album, you find one or two tracks that catch your ear most. Not so with “Into the Sun”. No filler tracks on this album, no Sir.
Indeed, if you were to ask me to pick my favourite track, I’d be hard pressed to cut it down to two, never mind one.

ZZ Ward’s vocals on “Breath of Me” are a breath (pun intended) of fresh air, while “Justified”, with its classy background vocals, is quite simply one of the best classic rock songs I’ve heard this year. The wibbly-wobbly, honky-tonk piano, ably provided by Jim Cox is a real highlight here.

“High Heels and Throwing Things” is the kind of song that you find yourself tapping your foot and nodding your head to. And that’s just the start of it… each song brings something new and fresh to the album, with each one feeling like it’s been lovingly created and nurtured.
“Stone Cold Heaven” features an amazing guitar interplay between Ford and Tyler Bryant, a talented young Texan six-string guy. You gotta listen this duel.

“Into The Sun” has some of the best guitar playing and songwriting you’ll heard this year, believe me.
Robben Ford is immense, not only composing and playing his guitar, but also singing with a highly melodic catchiness and passion.
I was hoping for years to hear a new ‘Rock’ album from Robben Ford, and “Into The Sun” fulfill all my expectations. One of the best Classic Rock albums of the year without a doubt.
Highly Recommended.

01 – Rose of Sharon
02 – Day of the Planets
03 – Howlin’ at the Moon
04 – Rainbow Cover
05 – Justified (with Keb’ Mo’ & Robert Randolph)
06 – Breath of Me (with ZZ Ward)
07 – High Heels and Throwing Things (with Warren Haynes)
08 – Cause of War
09 – So Long 4 U (with Sonny Landreth)
10 – Same Train
11 – Stone Cold Heaven (with Tyler Bryant)

Robben Ford – Guitar, Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Jim Cox – Organ, Piano
David Piltch – Bass
Toss Panos, Herman Matthews – Drums
Wes Little – Drums, Percussion
guests:
Warren Haynes – Electric Slide Guitar
Tyler Bryant – Guitar
Sonny Landreth – Guitar
Robert Randolph – Guitar
ZZ Ward, Keb’ Mo’ – Lead Vocals
Gale Mayes, Kim Flemming – Backing Vocals
Kyle Swan – Harmonica, Backing Vocals

PRE-ORDER:
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/into-the-sun-robben-ford/28572274
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