Robin Trower - Caravan To Midnight (1978) [Vinyl Rip 16/44 & mp3-320 + DVD] Re-up

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Robin Trower - Caravan To Midnight (1978) [Vinyl Rip 16/44 & mp3-320 + DVD] Re-up

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Caravan to Midnight is the 6th studio album by Robin Trower (but oddly it feels like the 5th- what album did I miss?) Robin's usual guitar playing that combines a unique blend of blues and soul is sometimes pushed to the back here probably because of the disco movement affecting the way rock artists approached music at the time. Now you can dance to the funky grooves. Well I just listened to Herbie Hancock's Sunlight album last night which was also heavily disco influenced, so I suppose listening to another album from the disco era isn't a big deal!

"I'm Out to Get You" has really beautiful smooth vocals like Paul Rodgers from Bad Company (hey a comparison between the two bands based on similar singing styles is inevitable right? And it should be said Robin Trower blows Bad Company out of the water and all the way to the moon!) This song is instantly memorable because the smooth vocals are really melodic and the brief guitar soloing in between lights up my sensations as well. However I LOVE when the guitar playing jams more near the end. Then the song just EXPLODES in all kinds of melodic awesomeness. Wow maybe I forgot just how good Robin Trower is. It's been a few years since I listened to his music. I don't remember the guitar stuff from Bridge of Sigh moving me quite like *this* solo does!

The title song is really good too. It begins with some freaky flying saucer effects. Then a really catchy guitar line comes in. It's really awesome! It captures the feeling of flying through the universe very well and probably wouldn't be out of place on a Pink Floyd album. Then gradually the guitar line drifts naturally into a silky smooth guitar solo for the remainder of the tune. "It's For You" contains a groovy rhythm with a soulful vocal melody. Lyrically this song is unintentionally hilarious. "When you are down and the whole world seems to wear a frown" and "And the birds in the trees sing a song to the breeze" are both funny lines to me because of the sincere way they're sung. I enjoy the song anyway. The guitar playing is splendid as expected, and shorter and more to the point this time. A song like this, with its phenomenal and likeable guitar playing and catchy vocals, makes me think it had serious potential to be really big. Also the final 20 seconds of guitar playing reminds me of Atlanta Rhythm Section's "Spooky".

"Lost in Love" is unique in that the rhythm is mellow and tranquil while some blazing guitar soloing occurs over it. That's only in the beginning though- wish it would've lasted longer because it sounds so cool! The vocal melody here sounds different from most Robin Trower material. It's still dreamy like one would expect, but the way the chorus part just soars so naturally is just amazing. Almost staggering! "Beyond the clouds or so it seems, there's a wondrous place for you and I" makes me feel SO spiritualized! I honestly don't think music gets much better than this because the way I feel when listening to this song is indescribable.

You can probably guess that "Sail On" captures the feeling of sailing with lightly sung vocals and gentle guitar playing. The perfect way to end the album really. If there was ever a song that makes one fantasize about being somewhere relaxing and carefree without any worries, this is that song! The melodic guitar line that fades away at the end is so perfect. "Fool" has a lovely intro that blends beauty with a driving aggressive undertone while turning uplifting a moment later. It's amazing. The vocals remind me of 80's Eric Clapton for some reason with the "Fool, sad and lonely fool" line. It's a really good melody too.

"Birthday Boy" (who's birthday is it, and why does it seem like all British musicians birthdays are on March 9, 1945 like Robin's, hmmm?) This song focuses on a really gentle and pleasant vocal melody similar to the style of John Lennon singing the Beatles classic "Julia". "Birthday Boy" and "Julia" share a similar atmosphere and vocal style in my opinion, and who knows if the guitar chords are the same. Not me since I'm not a musician but somebody out there could answer ya! "My Love (Burning Love") opens with a REALLY freaky guitar sound! Whoa that was cool! Well not only do the vocals here sound like Paul Rodgers, I can totally picture Bad Co. writing a song like this. One of the weaker moments for me since I don't like the clumsy way the "My love" chorus is sung. But that opening guitar part sure is cool! "King of the Dance" is pure funk. Now dance to it! Pretty groovy verse melody too with lyrics about struggling to live in a poverty stricken part of the neighborhood. I enjoy the lyrics too- "It's a restless situation, every day's a game of chance" and "I ain't never gonna stop, it's a long way down, when you're looking from the top, and if you shine like a star, they'll call you king of the dance".

Overall not one of my favorite Robin Trower albums and a notch below the classic Bridge of Sigh years, but still pretty good.
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by Bryan, amazon

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Robin Trower - Caravan To Midnight (1978) [Vinyl Rip 16/44 & mp3-320 + DVD] Re-up

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Robin Trower - Caravan To Midnight (1978) [Vinyl Rip 16/44 & mp3-320 + DVD] Re-up

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Robin Trower - Caravan To Midnight (1978) [Vinyl Rip 16/44 & mp3-320 + DVD] Re-up

Close