Search - Robin Trower :: Long Misty Days/in City Dreams

Get it while you can

K. Nieves | At work | 06/16/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These two-fer Robin Trower albums are great items because the original LPs were relatively short. If any of the tracks don't work for you, chances are two or three others will get you pressing repeat or turning up the volume. Classic stuff, if you are a fan of Trower and James Dewar. If not, you may be my wife, and you should go back to your Bee Gees LPs. Get these now, I doubt they will be available for long."

Long misty days feel better when good music is playing

B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 03/11/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While Long Misty Days is a pretty good album, it does unfortunately show signs of either a decline or maybe a slight misstep. Not a BIG drop in quality compared to the previous three studio albums mind you, but the album immediately has a different feel. You'll notice this right away.



"I Can't Live Without You" is a brilliant song. The guitar playing reminds me of Ritchie Blackmore is several spots, and the vocals are just... absolutely *beautiful*. This track is the definition of dreaminess.



The title song is another fantastic song. In fact it may even be better than the previous track I mentioned. It's another song that keeps my attention with a highly melodic and dreamy vocal melody, and in fact, despite being almost 6 minutes long, the vocals pretty much dominate the entire track. The guitar playing in this one is few and far between, but that hardly matters. This song is a winner.



I could probably do without this version of "Sailing". It's not a bad version, but it's not as good as Rod Stewart's IMO. A lack of memorable guitar lines is another problem- this song badly needed some guitar lines in between the vocal melody.



"Hold Me" reminds me of the Stormbringer era of Deep Purple. Soulful vocal melody, and a groovy rhythm- I can dig it, baby.



Overall, I'm impressed with this album, but it does have a few weak songwriting moments. Perhaps if the songs were longer allowing Robin to contribute more of his tasty guitar licks, it would be able to stand on the same level as the first three Robin Trower albums. As it stands, it's just a solid rock album.



In City Dreams review



Emotionally the music of Robin Trower knows *exactly* how to trigger a sad reaction out of the listener: by implementing soulful guitar playing and vocals.



By the year 1977, Robin Trower had begun changing ever so slightly into a more straight forward rock band with less focus on Robin's emotional blues guitar soloing. However, what the guitar might lack, the vocals pick up the slack.



These are seriously some of the most touching vocal melodies the band ever created up to this point in time. Right here, right now. Not on Bridge of Sigh, not For Earth Below, the magnificent vocals are showcased on *this* album.



And the songwriting? The songwriting is probably as good as ever. "Smile" has some of the dreamiest vocals I've ever heard... well, right next to the title track which is ANOTHER dreamy track... but both of these songs can't compete next to the dreamiest tune to end all dreams! That being the heavenly vocals featured on "Little Girl". Talk about THREE songs that move me immediately and passionately.



"Falling Star" rocks hard, "Somebody Calling" is just plain awesome thanks to the 2-minute plus guitar intro, and the only weak point is perhaps "Love's Gonna Bring You Down" (but it's not *that* bad- at least it has pretty solid vocals).



Overall, Robin Trower fans who haven't yet heard In City Dreams, I can assure you- the disco movement didn't distract from what the band had created here. This is solid songwriting from beginning to end with vocals so good describing them is simply beyond words."

Great Drive Album

L. Bloom | Hollywood | 07/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have a copy of this in my car dubbed or burned from this and I have found that this works great because the first half (Long Misty Days) is more upbeat like at the beginning of the trip and the second half (In City Dreams) is more mellow like you're winding down at the end of your journey. Two great albums in one and it makes driving a pleasure."