#40
ROBIN TROWER — BRIDGE OF SIGHS
English guitarist Robin Trower channels the spirit of Jimi Hendrix better than anyone. Never simply in thrall to the Hendrix legend, Trower uses his considerable talents to craft his own psychedelic-infused blues rock, and does it very well. This is his second solo album and a fine power-trio LP it is too, offering a range of moods and tempos. From the imposing, majestic title track to the funky fun of “Too Rolling Stoned”, Bridge of Sighs is a great place to greet Mr Trower. Hendrix fanatics might sigh as they are reminded of the loss of their hero, but most will smile as they enjoy one of the great electric guitarists of the 70s.
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#39
TRACE — TRACE
Possibly due to a decade or so of my youth spent studying the pianoforte, I have always been drawn to keyboard virtuosos. They succeed in expressing the mastery and exuberance I fell so far short of as a pianist. Wakeman, Emerson, et al were heroes; giants of the keys. A lesser known—though no less talented member of the ten-fingered brigade was Rick van der Linden of Dutch prog trio Trace. With brother Pierre on drums and Jaap van Eick contributing bass, they adapt (a la Emerson) Bach, Greig, and others in a totally over the top display of organ overload. The whole band cooks and is clearly having a wonderful time. If keyboard pig-outs are your bag, you’ll gobble this up!
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#38
FRANK ZAPPA — APOSTROPHE (‘)
Zappa’s previous album (Overnite Sensation) appeared in the 1973 Countdown at #28. The sound of Apostrophe (‘) is similar, as is the combination of great playing with lyrics that don’t hold up well to scrutiny. Though thoroughly entertaining, there is a disjointed feel to the LP, perhaps intended by the contrary Frank. Side two works much better (for me) than the opening Nanook saga.
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#37
MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA — APOCALYPSE
After disbanding the first Mahavishnu Orchestra, John McLaughlin took the bold step of composing and recording music for jazz-rock ensemble and orchestra. Jean-Luc Ponty’s violin adds a string texture that bridges rock with the tasteful and adventurous orchestral charts delivered by Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Orchestra (from orchestrations created by Michael Gibbs). Deft production from George Martin—who one can easily imaging enjoying this gig—results in a beautifully integrated amalgam of fire and air. This is a rich and complex album that repays repeated listens.
McLaughlin fans are also reminded to check out Matt Phillips excellent book on the British guitarist.
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#36
LITTLE FEAT — FEATS DON’T FAIL ME NOW
Little Feat’s fourth album is a true band creation, with Lowell George being joined in the songwriting domain by Bill Payne, Paul Barrére, and Richie Hayward. If not quite the creative carnival of 1973’s Dixie Chicken, Feats Don’t Fail Me Now has plenty of highlights. These include the swampy groove of “Spanish Moon”, urgent ministrations from the “Rock and Roll Doctor” and the classy southern rock of “Oh Atlanta”. Not to mention the irresistible title track, a bubbling, joyous bar-on-wheels.
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vinylconnection.com.au 
We’ve discussed my challenges with Frank Zappa before, and I feel we’ve also talked about Mahavishnu Orchestra and Little Feet. Probably the most important thing this installment did to me was to finally get Robin Trower on my radar screen to more than just some guitar dude. Based on sampling a few tracks, “Bridge of Sighs” sounds like I should totally love this album. I’ve written down his name. Thanks! 🙂
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That’s great Christian. One hears people diminish Trower, but that is unfortunate. He’s the real deal!
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Robin Trower and Mahavishnu Orchestra … I’m back in bike shed at school with the Prog Rock kids! (I was more a Rory Gallagher, Rolling Stones, Alex Harvey guy, but did come round to Trower especially, some years later.) 🙂
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1974 was certainly a rich year for things progressive, right CTJ? Whether bike shed or bedroom! But the blues motherlode kept going, as you neatly point out. Trower remained faithful to the blues rock stream. Still is, I believe; he put out an album last year!
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Bridge of Sighs was huge with my peer group out in the ‘burbs. Seemingly came out of nowhere actually procol harum. Robin Trower was/still is, a prodigious talent. Turn up the volume 8-track cartridge preferred.
Mahavishnu Orchestra second incarnation had the musicians to match John McLaughlin’s power and prowess. Although Billy Cobram and Jan Hammer in the first band were super players. Visions of the Emerald Beyond is definitely in my top ten discs.
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Well if I muster the fortitude to to this again next year, Visions of the Emerald Beyond is more than likely to appear somewhere in the 75 From ’75!
I got a CD box of Trower a couple of years back — it really is consistently high quality stuff.
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Some excellent sounds in this selection. Bridge of Sighs is to this day one of my top go to lp’s.
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I really love that the Trower has hit the mark for several people. That’s the joy of doing this countdown… the actual rankings are unimportant, but the importance of some of the albums is fantastic.
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Interesting – your thoughts on Trower peaked my interest, then I read the comments.
Thank you
DD
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Cheers, DD. Did the comments draw you closer or push you away, I wonder? 😉
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Your review drew me in, yet the opening frenzy still surprised me.
Possibly I put it on too early in the morning to truly appreciate.
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Timing is all. 🙂
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I’ve got to tackle some heavy duty furniture shifting this weekend…it might be the right time for Trower.
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Sounds good. (the soundtrack, not the lifting)
How’s the bathroom going?
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With luck I’ll get a shower tonight!
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I’ve been enjoying Bridge of Sighs recently, perhaps surprising as I’m not always a blues rock guy.
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I think Trower brings something unique and a bit special to his blues rock. I’m a fairly late convert, myself, even though I had the first three LPs sitting on the shelves for many years.
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Yeah, he’s closer to the pyrotechnics of Hendrix than to straightforward blues rock.
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Ooo, big Focus fan, quite fond of Pierre van der Linden’s drumming, but never heard/heard of Trace. Off to investigate!! (Glad to see the Feats make the list too!)
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Good hunting, JES! I suspect your progressive sensibilities will find Trace easy to embrace!
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$0, 38, 37 and 36 are all on my box. I will note 39.
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Cheers CB. Hope you are thriving out there in crazyland. Trace are somewhere between EL&P and Focus, but perhaps not quite as innovative as either of those. Lots of fun in the right mood, though. 🙂
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Trace will be worth a listen when the Grand Poobah from Australia speaks.
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More Poobah than grand, my friend.
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Great list! I saw Robin Trower in 90 or 91 in a mid sized bar in Clarksville Tennessee. He blew me away…that summer I also saw Santana and Clapton…great summer of guitars.
Never heard of Trace…I’ll check it out.
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That’s a heck of a trifecta of guitarists, Max. Is it unfair to ask who was your favourite?
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Not at all! It was Trower as far as guitar playing. Now…being so close probably helped but he impressed me the most…but all three were great of course.
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Ah, the venue does make a difference, doesn’t it? Still, that is a fantastic wrap for Robin Trower.
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[…] idiom was rather popular in the Seventies. Keith Emerson built a stellar career on it while Trace (see #38) were a European contender. But few ventured back beyond the Baroque […]
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that Trace album is excellent. there’s a local bar here that does a ‘progressive rock night’ in which I split DJ duties with another dude – always love dropping “Gallarde” when the real heads start to get settled in. I had two people tell me “reminds me of Focus!”
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That sounds great! I miss doing radio and have sometimes thought that a nice little bar DJ gig would go well. Love that you do a ‘prog’ night!
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[…] #40 — #36 […]
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