Robben Ford
By Mike O’Cull
Five-time Grammy nominee and sophisticated guitar virtuoso Robben Ford delivers the instrumental album of a lifetime with his new record Pure. Set to drop August 27th, 2021 via earMUSIC, the set is quite possibly the most complete and evolved embodiment of Ford’s creative vision to date and is a departure from the slick, contemporary blues sound that has long been his stock in trade. This time out, Ford digs deeply into the intersection of the rock, jazz, and blues ideas that exist inside him and creates music that still celebrates his golden touch on the guitar but freely visits alternative dimensions that are his and his, alone. Ford and his engineer and co-producer Casey Wasner made most of this music on their own at Wasner’s Purple House studio. This let them shape each track into what it needed to be and then add bass and drum parts afterwards. This new way of working suits Ford well at this stage of his career and feels like the culmination of everything he’s already accomplished.
Ford is, of course, a heavy presence in the music world who is one of the few guitarists with a truly identifiable sound and style. He’s a popular solo artist with a solid body of work and has also played with some of the biggest names in the business including Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Witherspoon, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Phil Lesh, Bonnie Raitt, Michael McDonald, Bob Dylan, John Mayall, Greg Allman, John Scofield, Susan Tedeschi, Keb’ Mo’, Larry Carlton, Davis Staples, and Brad Paisley. His modern blues work is typically slick and uptown and demonstrates a high-level grasp of phrasing and harmony that gives Ford a strong individuality. He’s also a dedicated teacher on a mission to communicate what he’s learned in the last 40 years to the musicians of the future through the ‘Robben Ford Guitar Dojo.’
Robben opens Pure with the ambient and exotic “Pure (Prelude).” It’s a short, attention-getting introduction that lets you know that Ford is reaching way beyond his usual bag of licks on this set and you’d best be paying attention. “White Rock Beer 8 Cents” is a shuffling, mid-tempo blues loaded down with Ford’s brilliant melodies and use of space. His tone is a thing of beauty and makes his colorful lines even more expressive. Patrick Ford (drums) and Dave Row (bass) lay down the bedrock and saxophonists Bill Evans and Jeff Coffin light the top of the arrangement all the way up.
“Balafon” is smooth and clean, pairing Ford’s gorgeous playing with big analog synth bass sounds and other electronic production elements. It’s a striking cut that shows an entirely different side of his musical mind and those that still associate Ford with his Blue Line trio days will be blown away. Seriously cool, without a doubt. “Blues For Lonnie Johnson” is a hardcore slow blues that features some of Ford’s finest playing on the record and illustrates the immense amount of jazz attitude in his lines and choice of notes. The groove is from the B.B. King school and ebbs and flows with grace while Ford testifies on top. His guitar vocabulary seems endless and the way he reinvents each chorus is thrilling to hear.
Ford’s title track “Pure” is free-flowing and magical. It’s an Indian-flavored excursion in seven with tabla drums and sitar parts accenting Robben’s angular guitar ideas. The feel is hypnotic and continually evolving, becoming more free and outside as it develops. It’s a completely different headspace for Ford’s playing, one that pushes him to surpass his previous greatness. It’s a stunning cut and is an absolute must-hear situation.
Robben Ford is still one of the most formidable guitarists of modern times and Pure demonstrates the happy fact that he’s as fueled up and creative as ever, maybe more. Get on this one and feel it for yourself.
Listen to “White Rock Beer..8 Cents”
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