Robin Trower: Come and Find Me Review

There have been very few guitarists with a more recognizable sound than the one Robin Trower has cultivated. Others, with distinct signatures, that come to mind are Jeff Beck and Brian May. But that comparison alone places Trower among guitar royalty – right where he belongs.

And Trower has always been astonishingly consistent at presenting his unique resonance through his entire catalogue, which, including live collections, compilations, and remixes, has grown to more than 50 releases. From the opening bar, fans and peers know in an instant that this is the work of the master who’s now been recording through seven decades.

Arriving last week, his newest release, Come and Find Me, carries his distinctive sound throughout the album and is packed with solos his fans crave and expect. The album was released mid-tour, where the 80-year-old has proven he’s still got what it takes.

The title track, “Come and Find Me,” opens with simple rhythms and an invitation; the song grows into an absorbing chorus. It is a thinly-veiled invitation to those seeking Trower’s initial sound of the early 70s to check out what he’s doing today.

So if you’re looking for “Day of the Eagle” or “Too Rolling Stoned,” they’re not here.

What is here is a collection of slow to mid-tempo compositions with a deep, soulful feel and, as always, infectious guitar work that very few are able to match. While the pace of this tome does not test Trower’s ability in terms of speed, he remains one of the very few guitar heroes who is impeccable at finishing every note, every time.

Trower is a master at matching his solos, tempo and tone of the piece to its mood and lyrics. These 11 pieces should, perhaps, be ingested in small doses lest the listener gloss over what each has to offer. These are thoughtful compositions and melodies, best enjoyed by a connoisseur of a fine musical feast rather than someone looking for a brief euphoric respite.

Throughout the album, song lyrics reflect true human emotions that Trower captures, harmonizing perfectly with his guitar.

Vocalist Richard Watts offers the perfect complement to Trower’s guitar with a smooth but throaty delivery. A distinctive and well-placed shift in the collection is “Tangled Love,” which features guest vocalist Jess Hayes. Her band, Connolly Hayes, was nominated as UK Blues awards 2024 UK Emerging Act of The Year. Like a musical intermission, the bluesy, soulful voice of Hayes offers a powerful match to Watts.

Featuring a Gospel feel, “Tangled Love” is designed to be “Cream-influenced,” according to release notes. And again, there is reference here to earlier works when Trower teamed up with Cream bassist and singer Jack Bruce.

Besides Watts and Hayes, the album lineup includes drummer Chris Taggart, guest bassist Glenn Letsch on “Tangled Love” and “I Fly Straight To You.” Trower provided bass on the remainder.

With Trower, Watts, and Taggart back together, this album compares favorably with No More Worlds to Conquer.

A highlight of the album is “A Little Bit of Freedom.” Released as a single, it includes a rare bit of social commentary from Trower. It was a great choice as the opening tune, featuring an infectious rhythm section and signature guitar licks.

Similarly, “Without A Trace” is a song “About all the lies in politics, mostly, and on social media. You know, this absolute out-and-out lying, to try and influence people,” claimed the release. And in “The Future Starts Right Here,” the artist challenges people to be more open-minded, less entrenched, and more tolerant.

“One Go Round” is a funkier, swampy effort. In the notes, Trower said, “That was almost an instant finished thing. It was like a hot knife through butter. All the lead work was improvised, and it’s exactly where I live. The lyrical meaning is pretty obvious. You only get one go round, so try and make the most of it.”

“Take This Hurt Away” could easily be the music accompanying a film noir – or a James Bond film, according to Trower, with its haunting plea. “I Would Lose My Mind,” on the other hand, is punctuated with a bluesy mid-tempo, driven by the rhythm section, wrapped around a solid guitar solo.

“Capture The Life Begun” and “Time Stood Still” both feature slow-paced dream-like guitar and vocals. “I Fly Straight To You” alternates between a funky rhythm-section groove and well-placed lyrical verses.

Each of the tracks presented in Come and Find Me can captivate, drawing you into a well-crafted musical journey through the weighty solos and distinct, clear vocals, if you’re prepared to be swept along.

The Review 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Come and Find Me
– One Go Round
– I Would Lose My Mind
– Tangled Love
– A Little Bit of Freedom

The Big Hit

– A Little Bit of Freedom