ROBBEN FORD - Pure pleasure

5. September 2021

Robben Ford

ROBBEN FORD - Das pure Vergnügen

He is one of the most important guitarists in the universe between rock, blues and jazz. Grammy-nominated, celebrity-experienced and yet humble. Robben Ford is considered a quiet legend. In the interview he tells us, among other things, why his new instrumental work "Pure" is even more "solo" than a solo album

eclipsed: Robben, your last instrumental album "Tiger Walk" dates back to 1997. Why was the time right now for a follow-up?

Robben Ford: With "Tiger Walk" I refreshed myself in a way at that time. I needed a break, felt that I had nothing more to say with words at that time. And the new album is also a product of its time: I recorded with the saxophonist Bill Evans and felt fun writing instrumental music again. By the way, that's always been the case, even in the past, the roots go back to my teenage days. This time around, I was producing guitarist John Jorgenson here in Nashville and had started producing steel guitarist Paul Franklin. Then Covid-19 came along, and to keep me going, I said to myself, well, I'll get to work on my own new album. And for that, I wanted to keep that creative energy on the instrumental level

eclipsed: Alongside you, Casey Wasner was fundamentally involved in the making of the album. What exactly was his role?

Ford: Casey and I have worked together for many years. He started out as my guitar tech and stage manager. He has his own band and is very talented, having played and worked with Keb' Mo'. But, to be clear, the music on this album is mine! I'm the creative engine. His role was the studio, bringing in his great sound engineering talent as well as his ability to find things for me. For example, if I say, "This snare drum doesn't sound good to me," he knows what to look for. His input in that regard was invaluable.

eclipsed: In other words, "Pure" is pure in terms of how the album came to be ..

Ford: And that's an interesting aspect. For me, it feels like my stamp is much stronger on this music than ever before. There was a time when I thought this style was "un-musical" in a way, musically empty. That it needed a live performance to capture. But I've learned a lot over the years. Among other things, working with the studio: not in the studio, but with the studio. That's wonderfully new and fresh for me. I'm very excited about this album.

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