Bridge of Sighs

I tire of the incessant comparisons made between Trower and Hendrix - when they BOTH benefited from the true original, Albert King. Without Albert King you'd have no Hendrix and no Trower. Further than this, without Jimmy DeWar, you'd not have the power trio of Trower, DeWar and Isidore (and later, the jazz/funk brilliance of Bill Lordan). I listen to Hendrix and I get it. He was great. I listen to Trower - especially his early solo albums, and I am totally blown away. So where is the comparison? "Bridge of Sighs" is the epitome of rock, blues, and funk - all in one incredible package. The tone that Trower was after was so far beyond what Hendrix was able to accomplish with the electronics that were available to him at the time (Peter Townsend's original configuration of double-stacked Marshall amps and Hendrix's use of a Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face). This tone is what completely separates Trower from Hendrix. Trower entwines clean, dark, sad and muddy elements of tone - all at the same time. The distortion is a result of his own preference of amplifiers, sheer volume - with limited effects. When I listen to the augmented originality of Hendrix, I hear great fuzz and fusion. When I listen to Trower, I hear originality plus all the soul that is missing from Hendrix. If you get the chance, watch one of Trower's concerts and you see a man so completely lost in the soul of the blues that I myself might be a little embarrassed by the uninhibited expressions he makes when playing to 10’s of 1000's. “Bridge of Sighs” will take you on a ride that only a bridge could traverse between James Brown and Albert King - with Hendrix hitching a ride. I hope you make the trip.

First off, Amazon gets an A++ as always for being the best business ever and shipping it off fast. Props to USPS as well for delivering it to me Sunday (which has never happened before) and on top, they even delivered another record that was supposed to arrive Monday. Also, top notch sound on this record. Smooth as silk and all the instruments are so clear and precise, nothing louder than the other. Awesome re-issue by Friday Music. Good job Amazon, post offices and Friday Music! As for the music, it's Robin Trower, what more could one say? 10/10 fantastic songs, clean and legendary guitar playing by Robin. Fantastic bass and vocals from James Dewar, and some really nice drumming from Reg. I don't know why, but this record seems so personal to me... It's just not like anything else, and it rocks, it rolls and it floats. Went up a canyon in my home state of Utah one day with a good friend who had just gotten back into town from where he lived. I brought this cd to play for the drive and it was just the best match. Cruising up the canyon, late summer, not quite fall and the leafs were starting to change to a vibrant yellow. Then we went on a hike to a lake, came back down the canyon and listened to the album again. Freakin classic. I happen to be a beginner/intermediate guitar player and definitely look up to Robin Trower, what a sick guitar player.... Anywaaays, 10/10

Excellent Updated CD package including remastered tracks and BBC live performances. I have owned several editions of this CD. This one has the best sound and the disc is filled up with great BBC material. I believe this is the most recent version of the material. Earlier versions sound "dead" compared to this remastered version.

Robin Trower's second album, Bridge of Sighs, is an absolute scorcher of an album that was released at a time when hard rock had fallen out of favor in place of mellow pop music. Robin Trower is a wicked guitarist and his name is on the marquee but his rhythm section of bassist/vocalist James Dewar and drummer Reg Isidore are just as responsible for how strong this is. "Day of the Eagle" starts the album off like a runaway train, performed at a pace that was seldom heard at the time and then falls into a slow sick groove of which Trower shows off his six-string magic. That vibe continues in the enduring slow blues of the title track and the hazy "In This Place", tracks where Trower makes every note count, Dewar's vocals are emotional and haunting and Isidore plays with just the right touch. "The Fool and Me" is a strong rocker where Trower plays with a ton of fury while "Too Rolling Stoned" is arguably the band's best known tune and for good reason and is similar to "Day of the Eagle" in scope but a lot funkier. "About to Begin" is very mellow and the playing is tasteful throughout while "Lady Love" is an excellent melodic rocker where Dewar's vocals shine. The frenetic "A Little Bit of Sympathy" brings the original album to a close. The remastered version is a real treat with excellent sound quality and 8 bonus tracks that are rawer but just as impressive, several of which would comprise his next album, For Earth Below. All told, Bridge of Sighs is not only a great guitar album but a great album period. All fans of classic rock should own this.

This is a classic album of solid songs. I owned it as a youth 30 years ago and recently bought it again. It was as if time had not passed. The songs were great then and are still excellent. Robin Trower is one of many guitarists from the 70's who were heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix and this album is probably his best work. It is not fast paced but is decidedly relaxed. I recall listening the the album in it's entirety, so I do not feel that one song is stronger than another but rather view it as a single work in which there is steady quality throughout.

I finally have the complete album in my collection. Not sure why it took so long to get but beggars can't be choosers they say. This is one of those "must-have" albums for fans of rock and/or blues rock. Truly a gem, the guitar work will have your headphones smokin' and your toes-a-tappin'! Break out the air guitar and rock yourself silly.