Robben Ford

Robben Ford ‎- Keep On Running - 2003 - Concord Records

On his second album for the Concord Jazz label, guitarist Robben Ford stays pretty much to the formula of Blue Moon from 2001. He concentrates on playing, singing, and covering great songs (and even writes a few) with interesting arrangements, inspired solos, and crisp, clean production that lets the song shine through the players. Much has been made of Ford's eclecticism and that is reflected in his choice of material here, though he never strays from the blues or R&B into jazz or fusion. Ford's selection of session players reflects his divergent interests as well: Edgar Winter appears on saxophone, while John Mayall and Ivan Neville guest along with horn bosses Bob Malach and Dan Fornero and Ford's road band. Opening the set with the title track, written by soul man Jackie Edwards, Ford lays out his formula immediately: a tight horn chart for tenor and baritone saxes, as well as trumpet; a crystal clear, expressive vocal delivery; and Ford's signature stinging guitar in the solo break lifts proceedings off on the up tip. The funky read of the Al Perkins/Otis Rush jam "Homework" features some blistering yet tasteful guitar work and a soulful vocal from Ford. But the two covers that proceed immediately thereafter through the entire album into the winds: first there is a beautiful and reverent version of "Badge" by Eric Clapton and Ford's former boss George Harrison as a tribute to the late guitarist, and a radical read of Nick Lowe's classic "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding" with Mavis Staples singing a duet vocal. First there is the strange intro, a direct quote from Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight," then there is the slow, shuffling reggae in the main body of the tune while retaining the melody. It is unsettling, to say the least, with only Ivan Neville's chunking chords on the electric piano keeping some of the tune dirty and immediate. But despite its different read, it is full of depth and dimension. The song almost becomes a prayer with Staples echoing each line and Ford sticking very emotionally close to the lyric. Other standouts on this set include Ford's tribute to Freddie King, "Cannonball Shuffle," the lone instrumental on the set; the Gamble & Huff redo "For the Love of Money," with a killer backing chorus of Neville, Terry Evans, and Ray Williams; and the funky, midnight broken-hearted blues of "Bonnie," written with Bonnie Hayes. Ford's been on the scene a long time, made a lot of great music, and has confused his fans and detractors alike. But this role, that of the amiable, street-savvy urban bluesman seems to suit him best judging by Blue Moon first and Keep on Running, but Keep on Running is even more convincing, being so consistently presented and wonderfully, soulfully wrought. © Thom Jurek © 2012 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/keep-on-running-mw0000325704

Another great album from the magnificent bluesman/jazzman Robben Ford. Robben is without a doubt one of the world's greatest guitarists. Similar to guitarists like Jan Akkerman, Robben can play any style in any music genre. "Keep On Running" is one of Robben's more blues orientated albums. He is joined by musicians that include John Mayall, Edgar Winter, Jimmy Earl, Mavis Staples, Toss Panos, and more. The album is VHR by A.O.O.F.C. Listen to The Yellowjackets' 1991 album, "Greenhouse" which demonstrates the great jazz playing of Robben Ford as does the great "Jing Chi" s/t album. For some extraordinary blues playing, listen to the Larry Carlton featuring Robben Ford "Live in Tokyo" album [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 115 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS / MUSICIANS

1 Keep On Running - Jackie Edwards 3:27
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Toss Panos
Guitar, Vocals, Electric Piano – Robben Ford
Saxophone [Baritone] – Edgar Winter
Saxophone [Tenor] – Bob Malach
Trumpet – Dan Fornero

2 Over My Head - Robben Ford 3:26
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Steve Potts
Guitar, Vocals, Electric Piano – Robben Ford
Saxophone [Tenor] – Bob Malach
Trumpet – Dan Fornero

3 Homework - Al Perkins, Dave Clark, Otis Rush 3:24
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Toss Panos
Guitar, Vocals, Electric Piano – Robben Ford
Saxophone [Tenor] – Bob Malach

4 Badge - Eric Clapton, George Harrison 3:56
Backing Vocals – Siedah Garrett
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Steve Potts
Guitar, Vocals – Robben Ford

5 Peace Love & Understanding - Nick Lowe 5:12
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Steve Potts
Electric Piano – Ivan Neville
Guitar, Vocals – Robben Ford
Vocals – Mavis Staples

6 Cannonball Shuffle (For Freddie King) - Robben Ford 4:33
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Toss Panos
Guitar, Piano [Acoustic] - Robben Ford
Saxophone [Alto, Tenor, Baritone] – Edgar Winter
Soloist, Saxophone [Tenor] – Bob Malach

7 Lifetime Thing - Robben Ford 4:16
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Toss Panos
Electric Piano – Jeff Babko
Guitar, Vocals
Harmonica [Blues Harp] – John Mayall

8 Bonnie - Bonnie Hayes, Robben Ford 4:19
Backing Vocals – Siedah Garrett
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Steve Potts
Guitar, Vocals, Electric Piano – Robben Ford

9 Me And My Woman - Gene Barge 6:07
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Toss Panos
Guitar, Vocals – Robben Ford
Harmonica [Blues Harp] – John Mayall
Saxophone [Tenor] – Bob Malach

10 For The Love Of Money - Anthony Jackson, Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff 4:59
Backing Vocals – Ray Williams
Backing Vocals, Soloist, Vocals [On Bridge] – Terry Evans
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Steve Potts
Guitar, Vocals, Electric Piano – Robben Ford
Horns – Edgar Winter
Organ, Backing Vocals – Ivan Neville

11 Hand In Hand With The Blues - Jill Freeman, Robben Ford 4:48
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Steve Potts
Guitar, Vocals – Robben Ford

SHORT BIO

Robben Ford has had a diverse career. He taught himself guitar when he was 13 and considered his first influence to be Mike Bloomfield. At 18 he moved to San Francisco to form the Charles Ford Band (named after his father, who was also a guitarist) and was soon hired to play with Charles Musselwhite for nine months. In 1971 the Charles Ford Blues Band was re-formed and recorded for Arhoolie in early 1972. Ford played with Jimmy Witherspoon (1972-1973), the L.A. Express with Tom Scott (1974), George Harrison, and Joni Mitchell. In 1977 he was a founding member of the Yellowjackets, which he stayed with until 1983, simultaneously having a solo career and working as a session guitarist. In 1986, Ford toured with Miles Davis and he had two separate periods (1985 and 1987) with Sadao Watanabe, but he seemed to really find himself in 1992 when he returned to his roots: the blues. Ford formed a new group, the Blue Line, and subsequently recorded a couple of blues-rock dates for Stretch that are among the finest of his career. In 1999, he released Sunrise on Rhino and Supernatural on Blue Thumb. Ford signed to the Concord Jazz label in 2002 and released Blue Moon that same year, followed by Keep on Running in 2003 and Truth in 2007. © Scott Yanow © 2012 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/robben-ford-mn0000830063

ABOUT ROBBEN FORD (WIKIPEDIA)

Ford was born in Woodlake but raised in Ukiah, California, and began playing the saxophone at age 10, picking up the guitar at age 13. Robben and his brothers Mark (mouthharp) and Patrick Ford (drums) had a band they named the Charles Ford Blues Band in honor of their father. Ford began playing professionally at age 18 when the Charles Ford Blues Band got a gig backing Charlie Musselwhite. The band also recorded two albums The Charles Ford Band and Discovering the Blues. Next Ford put together a band with Bay Area musicians that became Jimmy Witherspoon's backup band. Ford recorded two albums with Witherspoon, Live and Spoonful'. The Ford Blues Band reunites periodically, and released live albums in the 1980s and 1990s. In the 1970s, Ford began to branch out into Jazz fusion, and joined L.A. Express led by saxophonist Tom Scott in 1974. That same year they backed George Harrison on his American tour. In addition to recording fusion albums, they served as Joni Mitchell's backup band on Hissing of Summer Lawns and her live album, Miles of Aisles. After leaving L.A. Express in 1976, Ford recorded his solo album, The Inside Story with a band that was to become the Yellowjackets. He went on to play a starring role on the first two Yellowjackets albums, although he was listed as a guest artist due to recording contract arrangements. Ford worked briefly with Miles Davis in 1986; he can be heard on Davis' Montreux box set. Ford released his next album, called Talk to Your Daughter in 1988, a return to his blues roots. In 1989 he joined Philippe Saisse, Marcus Miller and J.T. Lewis in the cast of The Sunday Night Band for the second and final season of the acclaimed late-night NBC television musical performance program, Sunday Night. His best work in the 1990s include Robben Ford and the Blue Line, and Tiger Walk. In addition to recording and touring with his own blues band, Ford continued to tour and play with other bands/artists such as Jing Chi (his fusion band), Gregg Allman and Phil Lesh. He has received nominations for four Grammy Awards. Several Ford tribute bands exist, a statement to his artistry and popularity with the cognoscenti. Ford was named one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century" by Musician magazine. Ford uses Dumble Amplifiers. When travelling abroad he tends to use rented Fender amplifiers along with a Zendrive overdrive pedal by Hermida Audio. Guitar manufacturer Fender used to make a Robben Ford signature guitar, although lately Ford tends to favour Gibson Les Pauls and a custom-made model by Sakashta Guitars. Ford is married to the cabaret singer, Anne Kerry Ford, and collaborated with her on various projects.