The Playful Heart

Robin Trower sits down in the studio with his touring band and brings the intensity of *Twice Removed from Yesterday* and *Bridge of Sighs* to brand new recordings that act as if nearly forty years haven’t passed. The guitar tone is still deep and epic as is Trower’s vocals. “Maybe I Can Be a Friend” belongs in the Trower canon of pure classics. The title track gets down to serious business with a tough gait that gives away nothing. “Don’t Look Back” still *feels* introspective even if its message goes in the other direction. “The Turning” highlights some brilliant backing vocals that carefully augment the instrumental textures. The guitar solo in “Dressed In Gold” is a fluid piece of Trower’s genius. “Find Me” stalks the avenues with a desperate edge. “Song For Those Who Fell” quickens the pace for a little more swagger. Ever since his days in Procol Harum, Trower has been crafting his tunes to embrace and transcend the blues-rock genre. This is another stroke of that great genius.

In his mid-sixties when this 2010 disc was released, Robin Trower seems to be getting more productive as he ages.