ROBIN TROWER – Coming Closer To The Day (2019)

It’s been less than two years since iconic guitarist ROBIN TROWER released his last solo record, but it has seemed this decade in particular that he had plenty to say. The just released “Coming Closer To The Day” is his sixth record since 2010, and it doesn’t take a genius to work out the psychological inference in its title. Trower, is after all, 73, and he’d be well entitled to think about his mortality.

The opening ’Diving Bell’ sets the tone for the album as a whole, and is a metaphorical return to the subterranean feel of ‘Song For A Dreamer’ from his Procol Harum days. Much like the later ‘Ghosts’, it derives its potency from Trower’s ability to evoke lyrical meaning and nuance from his guitar tone and tasteful solos.
However, “Coming Closer To The Day” is relaxed, possessing what might be best described as stoicism maybe, a bit of a lugubrious world-weary air.
The vibe is slow, meandering, but dear me, Trower has a rare ability to create lead guitar that is mesmeric and casts him as surely one of the finest players England has ever produced.

It is striking too, that there isn’t much here that is as lengthy as some of his recent work – the 12 songs here are done in 50 minutes – but you feel too that when he plays the brilliant “Ghosts” in a live setting, then this will be the piece of timeless outright blues that he jams his way through.
“Tide Of Confusion” recalls Hendrix, but it deals with the modern world. “People flood like a river, after the rain, with hopes that no one can deliver” he sings – and like everyone else it finds no real answers.

“The Perfect Wrong” comes in with a real blues thump, almost stomping, while “Someone Of Great Renown” could have been on any Mark Knopfler record, while if the title track faces mortality head on, then “Lonesome Road” allows itself something of a muse on life on the road – after all he’s been a touring musician for over 50 years.

On the love song “Don’t Ever Change” his guitar playing cut through as a welcome flinty presence, and he belatedly cranks up his tone on “Take Me With You”, on a final guitar solo full of clarity and precision.
The jazzy ballad ‘Little Girl Blue’ is full of resonating notes, but Robin doesn’t quite have the vocal phrasing to pull it off. Yes, he may well have moved centre stage a few years ago to handle all his own vocals and tackle some deeply personal lyrics, but it’s time for Trower to get a young vocalist.

For five decades this bluesman has been making his raw, deep, rhythm and blues music. You can feel all the love and experience that Robin Trower has gathered along the way, woven within each note and groove on this album.
“Coming Closer To The Day” is evidence of two things. First that Trower still has an incredible ability. And second, although the end is drawing closer as it is for us all, he’s nowhere near the finish.
Highly Recommended

01 – Diving Bell
02 – Truth or Lies
03 – Coming Closer to the Day
04 – Ghosts
05 – Tide of Confusion
06 – The Perfect Wrong
07 – Little Girl Blue
08 – Someone of Great Renown
09 – Lonesome Road
10 – Tell Me
11 – Don’t Ever Change
12 – Take Me With You

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www.amazon.co.uk/Coming-Closer-Day-Robin-Trower/dp/B07MSQDJGM
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