Robben Ford

**henryrobinett** · 07-29-2014, 09:43 PM

The Charles Ford Band.

**cosmic gumbo** · 07-29-2014, 11:29 PM

I first heard Ford back in '74 when he replaced Larry Carlton in Tom Scott's LA Express. A little trivia...on Ford's only album with the LA Express, this tune penned by drummer John Guerin was immortalized by being put into the Real Book. You can hear a 22 year old Robben on this.

**jbear** · 07-30-2014, 12:05 AM

I think we (my HS garage band) got the first Yellowjackets album and The Inside Story at the same time. I wore those albums out.
Here's a question I never got to ask...maybe someone here knows...
Solo on In France They Kiss on Main Street from Joni's Hissing of Summer Lawns...Ford or Baxter? The phrasing sounds like Ford, but the tone sounds like Skunk. I am not hugely familiar with Baxter's style other than the DB's and Steely Dan. Either way...smokin' solo.
The Soundpage from Guitar Player 9/88...Outlaw Blues...another game changer for me. There are some clips with Miles that are worth seeking out. I sure wish Jing Chi would record again.
As with Scott Henderson, he blows me away that he can play just about any style of music at the highest level while maintaining his musical personality.
Seems like the players that I am most moved by seem to always play the notes I want to hear next without my realizing that I wanted to hear them.

Sidebar: Just started using a Ceriatone OTS Lunchbox...AMAZING! Nik did a mod to the OD channel to match the early 80's ODS and I can't stop playing it. I cannot praise this amp highly enough.

**henryrobinett** · 07-30-2014, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by Richb

Henry - I know you rock an Axe Fx. Do you ever dial in Dumble-type sounds?

Naw, not really. I tried a few times. Hasn't spoken to me yet. But you know, I'm not trying to cop anyone else's sounds or tones, so as much as I love Robben's tone I'm not interested in trying to cop it.

**henryrobinett** · 07-30-2014, 02:15 AM

No they're there. I guess. But I'm just more interested in finding my own.

**jbear** · 07-30-2014, 09:55 AM

Some day...I hope. I think that's my greatest challenge.

**henryrobinett** · 07-30-2014, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by jbear

Some day...I hope. I think that's my greatest challenge.

What is?

**jbear** · 07-30-2014, 03:31 PM

Finding my own distinctive voice on the instrument. I tend to sound like whomever I'm listening to at the moment...not always bad as I often enjoy that, but...still.

**henryrobinett** · 07-30-2014, 04:43 PM

I see. For me it was never so much about hearing a guitar in my head. Musical lines and phrases is what I hear. That's why it doesn't matter to me which instrument I listen to. I like to listen to artists and think about their phrases, the shape and rhythm of their lines as opposed to the tone of the guitar. I'm mean a little. So maybe it was a little easier to find a voice when it's not cluttered and confused by other voices who all sound so similar.

**jbear** · 07-30-2014, 04:53 PM

I think it's a really personal journey. I have always listened to a multitude of styles and players. My Dad was a jazz sax player, so I was always around musicians.
First I played trumpet, then drums, a weak attempt at keyboard...I dug them, but the guitar just hit my soul and I've been playing that exclusively since. I still listen to everyone. Keith Emerson was my first musical"idol"...with guitar it was Jeff Beck.
Now...too many to name😊