Robin Trower – Live! (50th Anniversary Edition)

Back in 1975, Robin Trower was starting to be big news. His latest studio album, For Earth Below, was doing well on both sides of the Atlantic, and his label, Chrysalis, was looking to capitalise on this success. An opportunity soon arose, when Robin and his power trio played a date at Stockholm Concert Hall in February 1975, and it was to be broadcast live by the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation. Unknown to the band at the time, the whole show was recorded, and Chrysalis decided to put out an edited version as a live album.

Robin Trower Live! was issued early the following year, and was another great success. Perhaps in part because Trower and the band, drummer Bill Lordan and bassist and vocalist James Dewar, were unaware the show was being recorded for posterity, their performance was uninhibited and dazzling. There were issues though. Dewar’s vocals had to be re-recorded for the live album because of spill from the drums. Apart from that, the set was heavily edited, and because of the constraints of vinyl, the sound was compressed and the set list was reordered quite drastically. The resulting live album nevertheless sounded great and did very well. Personally, I’d always felt it should have been a double live album, but alas, it wasn’t to be. Until now.

For the 50th anniversary edition, one can now hear both the original album mixed in 1975, and the entire concert, unedited and exactly as it was played on the night, mixed this year. Needless to say, this is fantastic news for Trower fans, and they will not be disappointed.

The sound quality and production are excellent. The songs unfold naturally as the show ebbs and flows the way it was intended to. The performances are stunning; Bill Lordan provides the perfect unflashy foundation, James Dewar’s voice is simply amazing, bass playing impeccable, and Robin plays some of his most expressive Hendrix inspired lead guitar imaginable. His distinctive tone is unmistakable, and his note bending sounds so natural and intuitive. The songs left off the original release are now restored, and it’s marvellous to hear the classic set opening salvo of Day of the Eagle and Bridge of Sighs warming the appreciative crowd.

The main improvement with this package though is hearing the set in the right order. On the original album for example, the set opens with Too Rolling Stoned, played at breakneck pace, followed by the languid Daydream, followed by Rock Me Baby, which was actually the last song of the encore. Hearing these songs unfold as they were actually played on the night makes so much more sense. The between song introductions and chat are all intact, and Robin and the band come over as highly appreciative and perhaps a touch surprised at the warmth of the reception. It should have been no surprise though, as the trio were on fire that night. Dewar has to be one of the most overlooked singers of the Seventies, his soulful voice up there with Jack Bruce for my money, and Robin’s flights of fancy on the fretboard are simply masterful, with power and delicate restraint side by side. Lordan holds it all together with an earthy solidity, the mark of a great drummer.

The accompanying booklet is full of anecdotes and information, including interviews with the surviving band members, and unseen photographs. Overall, it’s a package which is essential for fans, and highly desirable for anyone with more than a passing interest in the guitar-based rock world of the mid Seventies, and proves conclusively that Robin Trower and his band were an exceptionally talented outfit. Listen, and find out why.

TRACK LISTING
Disc 1: Complete Concert 2026 Mix
01. Day Of The Eagle (3:49)
02. Bridge of Sighs (7:02)
03. Gonna Be More Suspicious (3:20)
04. Fine Day (3:52)
05. Lady Love (3:25)
06. Daydream (9:07)
07. Too Rolling Stoned (7:12)
08. I Can’t Wait Much Longer (7:29)
09. Alethea (5:18)
10. Little Bit Of Sympathy (7:15)
11. Confessin’ Midnight (6:39)
12. Rock Me Baby (6:23)

Disc Two: Original 1975 Mix
01. Too Rolling Stoned (6:41)
02. Daydream (7:58)
03. Rock Me Baby (5:58)
04. Lady Love (3:07)
05. I Can’t Wait Much Longer (6:58)
06. Alethea (4:10)
07. Little Bit Of Sympathy (5:55)

Total Time – 111:00

MUSICIANS
Robin Trower – Guitar
James Dewar – Bass, Vocals
Bill Lordan – Drums

ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Chrysalis Records
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 4^th April 2026
Date of Recording: 3^rd February [1975 at Stockholm Concert Hall, Sweden]

LINKS
Robin Trower – Website | Facebook | YouTube | X | Instagram