Review: Robin Trower ‘Bridge of Sighs (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)’
By Hal Horowitz
Expectations weren’t particularly high when ex-Procol Harum guitarist Robin Trower and his backup duo of bassist/singer James Dewar and drummer Reg Isidore entered Olympic and Air studios in late 1973/early 1974 to create their second release, Bridge of Sighs. After all, the trio’s 1973 debut, Twice Removed from Yesterday, recorded with the same band and producer Matthew Fisher, barely scraped the charts and made little impact.
But between engineer Geoff Emerick, fresh from working with the Beatles, and a batch of classic blues drenched rockers that FM rock stations immediately latched onto, Trower created a timeless set; one that deservedly gets a long overdue upgrade and makeover for its 50 anniversary (released June 7). The evocative title was taken from a racehorse, which was derived from Venice, Italy’s Bridge of Sighs, built in the 1600s.
Just eight tunes running 35 minutes, changed Trower’s life forever and, to this day– five decades and dozens of albums later– provides the most recognizable material for his concerts. Bridge of Sighs was an unqualified hit upon its release, logging 31 weeks on Billboard’s album chart (rising to #7) and going gold in September 1974.
Musically, Trower tapped into Hendrix’s dreamier and occasionally funkier side, using generous helpings of feedback and reverb to slather listeners with sheets of sound that, along with monumental tunes like the opening rocker “Day of the Eagle,” the throbbing “Too Rolling Stoned” (two songs mashed into one) and the wistful yet driving title track, carved out pensive territory in album rock that sounds as fresh and innovative today as it did back in 1974.
Plenty of other guitarists took notice too. Some pay tribute as to Trower’s masterpiece in expansive new liner notes for this edition, laid out in a 24 page book. Robert Fripp (“…he gave me guitar lessons and showed me how to bend and wobble, of which he is an English master) and Steve Lukather (“…the sound of Robin’s guitar hit my soul. The tone, touch and feel was so incredible”) pay their respects, along with Bryan Ferry, who had Trower play and produce some of his releases.
The music gets stretched to four discs on this deluxe package. The initial eight tracks are remastered on the first. A new stereo mix is highlighted on the second, along with some instrumental outtakes and early versions that only diehard followers will notice differ from the originals. Disc 3 delivers a rugged 50 minute concert, featuring pristine audio, combining tracks from Twice Removed. with five of Sighs’ tunes, recorded in a studio from May, 1974. Those with surround systems will rejoice the Dolby Atmos mix for an album that always seemed it should have enveloped you in that way, plus the new remaster, 2024 stereo re-mixed audio and instrumentals of every track (the latter not entirely necessary), all on Blu-Ray.
It may be more than the casual fan needs or wants. But for an album that was, and remains, so integral to Trower’s success by pushing the boundaries of blues-infused rock into psychedelic areas with a combination of taut tunes and sprawling sound palettes, this 50th Anniversary Edition Bridge of Sighs is worth the wait.
Watch Bridge of Sighs 50th Anniversary Expanded Edition Here
Pre-order the album Here
Oh my! I’ve got to have this! His Live album has been a favorite of mine since…well since it came out all those decades ago!
Not entirely necessary?!? That’s mostly why I’m buying this release!
Well, now I have to go out and get a Blu-ray player along with the surround sound system! It may be a while before I hear this as intended but I will hear it! Long way you run Robin!