Robin Trower: Shine Review

The legions of Robin Trower fans are a happy group because his prolific recording and touring career shows no signs of slowing down and, in fact, has been picking up steam.

His new album, Shine, is his second release this year, hot on the heels of his live “One Moment In Time: Live In The USA” and his eighth album since 2019. Live shows have become more frequent in recent years and have consistently been praised as high-energy masterful performances.

Trower, now 81, explains, “I think you’ve either got to keep pushing – or give up.” He added, “I think, over the past few years, I have set quite a high standard. Now I’m determined to keep that going. To still have the energy to work, that is a real blessing.”

Through several distinct career periods, Trower has always maintained a distinct and highly infectious sound to his guitar-playing that enthrals his followers.

“Shine” includes Richard Watts on vocals and Christ Taggart on drums. Watts has been with Trower since the “Go My Way” album released in 2000, and Taggart first collaborated with him on the 2009 studio album “What Lies Beneath.”

Also appearing on the album is guest vocalist Jess Hayes. Besides contributing guitar, bass, and vocals, Trower is also the writer and producer of the ten-track offering.

Trower recordings always seem to seek new ground, but this has also created a bit of a mystery. Two fan-favorite songs, “Too Rolling Stoned” and “Day of the Eagle,” have been staples in his live shows for decades, but he has never produced any songs reminiscent of them since the era when they were first released. “Shine” is no different.

However, it is a collection of slow, thoughtful compositions drenched in deliberate guitar solos. Trower says he’s focused on positive messages, saying, “I don’t want to make gloomy music. I think that most of these songs are positive.”

While he may have more focus on lyrics, fans will not be disappointed by a lack of guitar work. They are still front and center throughout.

Trower says he often starts with a lyric that will inspire his writing a new song and noted, “I usually write with Richard (Watts) in mind. I can hear it all in my head. The strength of his vocals, the beauty of his vocal tone – he’s so musical.”

The album opens with a trademark Trower guitar flourish that flows throughout the piece, creating a confluence with Watts’s vocals melding seamlessly in “The Missing Piece.” And here, he offers a possible explanation for his reluctance to recreate the earlier favorites, saying: ‘Tell myself there’s no good reason; To try to reinvent the past.’

“Shine,” the second track, carries on with a similar flow and features the positive attitude Trower mentioned, arguing, ‘Every soul can shine.’ The sentiment is reinforced by expressive solos backed by a steady backing bass.

“Love By Any Other Name,” relies more heavily on Watts’s vocals and is reminiscent of the earlier “Take This Hurt Away,” on the Come and Find Me album from 2025.

The fourth track, “Live Your Time,” was released as the first single and is described as a “soul-funk-influenced riff with Trower’s signature guitar tone.” It’s more upbeat and features some fine work by Taggart on drums, setting the pace for some rapid-fire vocals from Watts. Trower proves he hasn’t lost a thing with some excellent solo passages.

More of the positive message Trower spoke about is contained in the aptly named “Faith.” In it, writer Trower states, ‘You had faith that love Would find its rightful place.’ It is another slow, soulful offering.

A funkier, more upbeat “Driving On Through,” follows this. Some vocal effects add to Watts’s words, which are swept along with more solid guitar work from Trower.

Guest vocalist Jess Hayes adds a new dimension to the seventh track, “Truth.” It has a more R&B feel. Throughout the album, Trower provides strong lyrics and Hayes has plenty to work with here. The funkier sound continues in the next track, “The Race.” But this time it’s Taggart’s drums providing a backing punch to Trower’s solos.

Much of the album reflects in general terms about the future, hope and awareness. But, on the next track “Without You,” as well as “The Missing Piece,” and “Faith,” there is a more personal approach with the lament of a lost love. And the final track, “It’s Not Time,” is a slow, sombre piece, carrying on with some more personal reflection.

This new album offers plenty of signature Trower guitar work, an abundance of soul and thoughtful lyrics.

Over six decades, Trower has successfully fronted a variety of partners, almost exclusively in a trio format. And the partnership with Watts and Taggart is definitely a winning combination. The album will be a welcome addition to their recent collaborations.

The Review: 8/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Driving on Through
– Shine
– Missing Piece
– Truth
– Live Your Time

The Big Hit

– Live Your Time