Robin Trower - Passion

Easily the worst of RT

Love Robin Trower. Have listened to him for 30 years, but this album really has nothing to offer. Plenty of others to choose from. Forget this one. He probably has. December 17, 2008

Passion

I know it's Robin Trower but not the Trower before this album. For the first time I hear more pop than blues in his songs. Passion peaked at #100 on the album charts, not real good, but a considerable improvement, at least on the charts, than his previous album, Back It Up (#191). On this album Trower had once again changed his lead vocalist, this time it's Dave Pattison who sounds somewhat like James Dewar but without the soulful quality that he possessed.

The album opens with "Caroline" which is one of the most pop sounding songs Trower has recorded in his solo career. There are even background vocals in the song which is unusual for his songs. "Secret Doors" follows, it's more like Trower but not quite like Trower's other rock songs. "If Forever" is a slow tempo song & reminds me of Hendrix when he would do a slow song. "Won't Think About You" speeds up the tempo, sounds a little funky but has some pop in it too which is so unlike Trower. Next comes the title song "Passion", once again more pop than blues. It also has some background vocals. The song reminds me of another group but I can't name them (Toto?). Maybe I shouldn't call so much of this pop but it's certainly more radio-friendly than almost everything that Trower has ever done. "No Time" is really the first song that reminds me of the old Trower. It's blues based, no more than mid-tempo, Trower finally shows off some of his chops reminding us just how good he is. "No Time" is probably the best song on the album, this is the first song on the album where I hear Trower's trademark wah-pedal put to use, something he used to employ on many of his songs. The instrumental "Night" follows & is the next best song on the album. It's a slow tempo song that has some synthesizers in it, another un-Trower-like sound. Trower gives a very tasteful & somewhat restrained lead with a slight hint of fuzz. "Night" is somewhat of a crossbreed of Trower & Pink Floyd, the closeout lead definitely reminds of David Gilmour. "Bad Time" reminds me of the material that Trower recorded on the two albums he had Jack Bruce doing vocals & bass. This song also features multi guitars layered together, this is certainly a Trower trademark of his earlier material. The album closes with "One More Word" which also has un-Trower-like background vocals but there's a good solo in the middle.

This is definitely a different, some might say updated, Trower effort. This is Pattison's first vocal effort for Trower & not his last. This was the second album that had James Bronze on bass. But, unlike the previous album, Back It Up, Bronze has co-written most of the songs with Trower. I'm sure that Trower took the more radio-friendly songs route intentionally. The addition of Pattison & Bronze's co-writing probably had a lot to do with this. It's not a bad Trower album, it's stands well with almost everything else he had done up to this point but it's not the same style. I think most Trower fans will still enjoy this album, just be aware that it IS different. July 1, 2008

On Reflection

What should be known about Passion is that Robin, at age 42; having defined post-Hendrix, pre-Van-Halen electric guitar; and having been dropped by Chrysalis, his label of more than 15 years, found Davey Bronze as a songwriting collaborator, Neil Norman as a producer ([...]), and reinvented himself.

I was in the New Haven Coliseum in October of 1977 for the show that was recorded (with ex-Sly-Stoner, Rustee Allen, on bass) on this disc: King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents: Robin Trower In Concert. I saw Robin twice during his tour to promote Passion. And I've seen him numerous times in the 20-plus years since. He's not the guy who recorded Bridge of Sighs. He's not supposed to be. He's 63 this year. And he's still growing. We can only the hope the same will be true of us at such an age.

While we're hoping, turn up "No Time" and try to imagine anyone else playing a solo so pleadingly angry -- over such jazzily cascading chords -- in any decade. June 23, 2008

Under-rated Gem

I've owned this for several years - I'd say about 20, and have enjoyed it many times. I recently started playing it (the 33.3 RPM record) again and I now enjoy it better than I ever did, and every single song on it. I have to say that "Caroline" is a totally wonderful song that's my fav on it.

It's a very under-rated album and artist IMHO. The singer has a really nice voice (and I think he used to sing for "Gamma" with Ronnie Montrose). August 10, 2007

Oh, for the days of old

Sorry, but the truth must be told. The inside of the insert for this CD is blank, and that speaks volumes. "Passion" is but wishful thinking.

I revered Robin Trower with Procol Harum, appreciated his work with James Dewar and Reg Isidor, and tolerated what he produced with Jack Bruce, although this last seemed like a fabulous opportunity gone wasting.

"Passion" is a pale imitation of later-day Journey, and it's hard to be any more washed out than that. Davey Pattison's vocals are clear and competent, but they resonate like a hard rock lounge singer. The lyrics to these songs are so pathetic that the instrumental "Night" comes as a relief, even if it does sound a lot like the song that come before it. And if your notion of Robin Trower's guitar was formed on "Song for a Dreamer," "Bridge of Sighs," or "Daydream," cover your ears. He is only a bit player here.

It is a cruel irony of popular music that someone who created at the level that Robin Trower once did is reduced to trading on his name with this sort of drivel. I am truly sorry, sir, but you shame yourself here. November 14, 2006

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