The Robben Ford Interview
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- In this interview we go in depth with Robben Ford on The Blues, Influences and his unique guitar style.
#robbenford #theblues #robbenfordinterview
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![Robben Ford At TPS! [New Pedalboard, Little Walter Amp, Playing Tips & More]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D0HIUT8J3I8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Robben Ford At TPS! [New Pedalboard, Little Walter Amp, Playing Tips & More]](/img/tr.png)
Rick, wonderful interview. Here’s a small story about Robben: in 2006, I was one of only ten students in one of Robben’s private group guitar classes when he was living in Ojai, CA. The classes were normally held in the Ojai Women’s Resource Center but, on that particular Saturday, the room was overbooked and Robben’s wife, Anne, walked up to him and said, “we can’t have your lesson here today and we have to leave.” Robben looked around the room at all of us and said, “we’ll just go to our house.”
So, we all got in our cars and followed Robben and Anne to their house. We had the only guitar class that was ever held in Robben’s living room and each of us had the opportunity during the day to actually play with him. Needless to say, it was one of the greatest musical days of my life. Think about that........a guitar lesson from Robben Ford in Robben Ford’s living room!!!! An incredible day!
Great story!!! Thank you for sharing that. What a cool guy!
That's a life defining event, wow.
@@glassncobalt No. Surviving a war or terminal illness is lifechanging. That was a guitar lesson with a bloke who released a few records. Keep some perspective in your life.
@@bluespig1 "life defining" and "life changing", not quite the same. Having just survived a "terminal illness", an oxymoron if there ever was, my perspective on life is quite intact. Cheers and good health to you.
Wow that’s so cool.
Truly a magic moment. Robben seemed very at ease and introspective. I’ve seen him live multiple times and attended some seminars he’s given. What you saw here is how he really is. Unpretentious, almost vulnerable and quite humble. The most memorable time for me was when he played a really small club in San Diego a couple of years ago and was backed by a trio of young players. I was in the front row, center with no stage and no security. It might as well been Robben’s living room. I was snapping cel photos of him at work and he was chuckling at it. At the break asked me why I was doing it. When I said that night just checked off a big item on my bucket list and wanted to be able to re-live the moment years later and be able to tell my grandkids, he handed me his ‘59 Les Paul and said we should take a proper photo together and we did, in front of the Dumble, with me holding the Les Paul. It’s framed on my desk, next to the photos of my wife and my son. I’m now complete.
Good for you! Isn't it great when your hero(s) turn out to be cool..!
When he feels safe Robben is the coolest cat ever. But for many years he was kind a guarded around people he didn't know. He'd been burned by some unscrupulous album releases he didn't get paid for and didn't enjoy people recording him or taking bunches of pictures. He would expect people to just listen and feel what he was putting out. I'm fortunate to have a number of mutual friends and I've been in situations where he was really open and funny, and I've been around him in public situations where he seemed uncomfortable. He seems really relaxed here. Nashville has been good for him.
That is just great. How cool is that?
this is a wonderful story ! i really believe it Robben Ford ! you can feel robben Ford is really genuine
Oh man that’s special!
Rick Beato: Great interviewer. Knows when to speak, knows when to be silent. Doesn't have to fill in gaps with rhetoric. He really let Robben's thought process flow.
I'm unaware of his stuff, but to hear Robben talk on the general shape of music nowadays put my rambling thoughts about that in order. Really nice and understated.
@@jeffmoore9487 I hope you take time to listen to his stuff. Start with "Talk to Your Daughter". He is very modal. Great tone too.
Yes. Rick does great interviews. He realizes that he can say anything any time on his channel, but when he has a guest in for an interview, it's the guest we want to hear. Rick has awesome restraint in that area. So many interviewers want to be heard. Rick wants to get something out of a guest that he hasn't said before a bunch of times over in past interviews. More interviews would be great!
@@sharonraizor2839 I love to listen to BB King but have trouble getting into modern jazz. Words like modal intimidate me. I play and perform quite well but am firmly in the "school' of listening and singing and playing by precise imitation (long ago anyway) and guided searching and conscious invention.
I wouldn't know a "flat 9" if it bit me. I'd also be surprised if I'm not already pretty advanced in "flat 9s" without "knowing" it. I call it "The Django School of Musical Illiteracy". We're a proud, even arrogant, bunch.
I just listened to talk to your daughter. It's a tasty piece of 60's style blues for sure.
I was going to post the same thing.
I played drums for 4 sets with Robben at Frankfurt Messe some years ago - no rehearsals, no set list, totally winging it. He was the sweetest guy & one of the rare players who literally plays on flights of pure inspiration when the moment, the groove, the vibe takes him. Absolutely exhilarating. Present, focused, self contained, disciplined, educated & free all at the same time. A wonderful musician.✌️🎸🥁✨
Well said!
very cool, i think some people get the misconception that he is a conceited a hole. hes my tone guru
That's awesome. What I like about Robben is, as you mentioned, he's one of the sweetest guys you could meet. However, he will stand his ground and speak his mind. That kind of realness from a person is getting more and more rare these days. Robben is they type of person you wanted as a friend.
Have never seen Robben more open and engaged in an interview. Extremely enjoyable video. Kudos to you Rick.
Rick is a true musical human.
I concur. Takes an experienced interviewer to have someone settle into this relaxed and open, vulnerable a mind set and mood and feel safe and reassured enough to share some of these more profound personal insights in such a cool and unpretentious as well as non-proselytizing way. Interview "gold" in my book! Kudos! (and like I say in my other comment: It amounted to an almost spiritual experience for me today.)
"The cellphone... might have just killed virtually everything culturally." Says it all. Great interview Rick.
I have to wholeheartedly disagree with that. I love Roben - but that’s just not true. Finneas Eilish produced what is pretty much THE biggest album right now (Billie Eilish’s first album) in his room, and some tracks are actually samples they both recorded on their... cellphones. I started making tracks on it too, and it’s incredibly freeing to hve it in your pocket. So I mean such a powerful tool is always a double-edged sword... always. But my generation of artists now we got seriously fed up of this industry’s old ways and we are working the tranchees fucking hard. You might like it or not - Eilish fucking recorded 8 tracks pf her own voice over 100 takes to get one hook right for a couple bars, in the back of her brother’s room. I respect that. I don’t respect the “band in a box” bullshit and all that crap, but I love the democratization of music production and the fact a lot of people can collaborate remotely and harmonize themselves and stuff. Loopers too allow some folks to really play the band, bascially, and it’s fascinating. And now they have looper that follow the drummer’s beat to yeah ya know not have the stifness from the metronome.
@@jas_bataille With all due respect, I think you are conflating technology, democratization, and poor engineering with Robben's point. Clearly, the tech makes it easier and as time goes on, digital approaches analog within an epsilon. And he's not agreeing with the "old ways" of the industry as superior. And no one would argue that historic bad engineering was accepted. Obviously, true artists can use whatever medium suits them. And Robben's point about monetization... no musician who wants to pay their bills would disagree. You point out one example. I can point to easily several hundred examples on Spotify, CDBaby, iTunes, etc within minutes. Robben's point is deeper than saying the new tech isn't good.
@@frankgreco Absolutely spot on!
Wrong, as the first law of Lavoisier tells us in chemistry: “Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed”. The cell phone is just a tool that allows us to interact differently. It killed nothing, it just transformed whatever you think it killed. The challenge is to find what form did what you think was lost take!
@@charlesmintsa1157 Dude... that's coarse-grained high school chemistry. That's not culture. Listen more deeply to what Robben Ford is saying.
Far and away the best interview I've ever seen with Robben Ford.
Well said! I'm in total agreement.
It’s all about the questions and knowing the interviewee’s background, which Rick obviously does.
Agreed and I'm a big long time fan of his...
I like seeing Robben getting a little pissed about the state and quality of music at present. He’s on point!
I agree with you @Mike Jamieson. Why should'nt he be like that, if new "great players" are scales or pedal players... I can divise some inflated players offshore (UK)... No soul in art anymore, just huge marketing on left overs of music ...
That rearranging the deck chairs line was awesome
Couldn’t agree more, I really can’t relate to what is called “music” now. It’s like the state of radio now without guys like Jim Ladd and Norman Davis.
Dear Robben, you may not have had a "hit" record, but you have an excellent record of improving people's lives with music. Thank you.
What I love most about this interview is how they both held the guitars the whole time and they lay forgotten. The stories and the conversation were so genuine and real that actually playing anything would have diminished it. Perfectly done interview. There was no fluff. No random pictures images over a real and true discussion of ideas. It lacked all the BS that typically goes into an interview that just waste time. As in All that you do Rick....unique and inspirational.
Those are actually. pacifiers...like teddy bears for kids..comforting makers of music. Just not right here.
Rick, thanks so much for this! This is the first time I've ever made a comment on anything but this was beautiful. Robben has so much to give but this is the first time I think any interviewer that I've seen has come close to really letting him do that. To be himself and speak from the heart about things that are important to him. When he talked about being in Miles' band I felt like I was there with them. 'Course I was shitting my pants, but that's not really what's important here. Anyway, incredible to see Robben like this! One of the best and most important interviews I've ever seen! Thanks again Rick
That was the fastest 39 minutes of my life. It felt more like 5 minutes.
Incredible interview, Rick. As Miles let Robben into his world, you let us deep into Robben's world. Thank you.
I’ve heard a LOT of interviews with Robben over the years Rick, but you genuinely trod new ground and he clearly respected your line of enquiry enough to open up about Miles. Genuinely laugh out loud, touching and insightful all at the same time.
Very well said, Neil. Thanks.
YES!!!!!
Robben is one of my favourite guitar players of all time….I saw him live in a tiny venue in Johannesburg South Africa…it was a seated venue but I eventually got up,walked to the front of the stage and sat down on the floor.
At the end of the gig I was fighting away the tears…pure emotional gig…Robben gave me a handslap..I’d love to meet Duke Robillard sometime.
You comment really resonate as I lived the same experience at a Robben show in HongKong where I use to live.I had the chance to speak to him after the show ,he really is the sweetest guy
I met Duke Robillard in the same city,saw him in small clubs 3 times,I m a massive fan of his playing,he needed a slide that night and I had one,he looked for me after the show and personally gave it back,he explained that he loved this heavy brass slide that I had since the action on his guitar was on the low side.He seems to be a humble and a lovely person,and my god what a sound!I hope you will have a chance to meet him bro.cheers .
Hello Boet, it's great to see another Robben Ford fan from South Africa. Duke Robillard is also great.
Beatified: When a player is called a legend by Rick Beato.
For a guy who has been there and done that, he sure is a humble cat.
Music is not about been there done that. We're being there doing that all the time.
I do think that is the best interview with Robben I have ever heard. He seemed genuinely appreciative that you, Rick asked him more thoughtful and challenging questions. Great job!
"Technique has become the art, [...] instead of having something to say..." I really liked what Robben had to say. Brilliant interview.
I think this is just an antiquated way of looking at "having something to say." -- Blues licks don't "say more" than some complex line, anymore than that complex technical line "says more" than the blues licks.
What exactly is Robben saying in his playing that other artists aren't? (Im a fan of his by the way)
@@krishermstad Its the old 'tell a story' with your playing line. Basically have a beginning, a middle and an end with interesting parts all the way through. Some very technical players come out all guns blazing from the first bar and then there isn't really anywhere to go after that...
@@krishermstad Music is a conversation, not a competition. As Ginger Baker said " It's not how fast you play. It's what you say."
What are you communicating to your bandmates, to your audience? Even, perhaps ( if you believe 🙂) to your Creator. What story are you telling with your notes and phrases?
Miles Davis: "If you ever wanna come back, just come back". HOLY F**K, a standing invitation from the King of Kings. Thats' enough praise to last a lifetime. Great story.
Thats obviously "nice" to me RF is stand alone, just like Jimmy Page. Beck, n Clapton, n Hendrix..
King of Kings that title belongs to Jesus.
Rob Butler Guitar Amen! Jesus is the one true King of Kings!
Rob Butler Guitar
and Haile Selassie I
@@88Gibson1 Nah, you're getting mixed up - you're referring to "King of KingsTM"
“Want some chicken?” That’s the best Miles Davis story I’ve ever heard. 😆
Robben is such a great down to earth guy who is an amazing player, i just wanted him to start playing that Les Paul so bad!
I can’t believe how good Rick is an interviewing! He just gets the best out of these guys.
“Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic”
Nailed it!
Loved that line, reminds me of college jazz.
@@Art-zs6sl Ugh, I live in Boston and there's a lot of "jazz players" that *really* want to show you how much theory they know.
I'll always remember this one teacher I took 10 prep lessons from for college auditions. He said "Complexity and technicality are just tools to get your ideas across, not a substitute for them."
Those 10 lessons are still benefiting me 15 years later. Smart dude, great player, even greater teacher.
Yeah, I'm keeping that one. It's almost painful listening to him talk though...his words and body language pretty much tell how he feels about what's happening now, and he's truly pretty disgusted.
Rick does a fine job with interviewing him though...he knows who he's dealing with, and makes him feel at ease, starting with the obvious, that being no banal, pointless questions already asked countless times.
One of the best, of this there is no question.
Shots fired!
@@shawnmcvey7789 Too true - sounds like a great guy. Could you give us an idea of the gist of those vital lessons????
I’ve seen numerous interviews with Robben through the years and this one may have topped them all.
I think the difference is that being a knowledgeable and experienced musician yourself, there was a mutual respect or something. I’ve seen Robben interviewed at times where he just seemed uncomfortable with the interviewer, didn’t seem to open up and was even a little short with some of his responses. None of that in your interview, Rick, and by the way, great questions!
I just recognized him. He lives in Nashville and comes in the place I work.
Lucian David nice. You should strike up a conversation with him.
Brian Onuscheck I plan on it. He comes in at least once a week thru my department.
@@johnjohnson3709 Everyone lives in Nashville...representing all genres. The saying is true. Shake a tree in Nashville and 50 guitar pickers will fall out..👊🏾
So glad he acknowledged Mike Bloomfield who was the guitarist who first made me want to pick up a guitar and the one I wish I sounded more like
Robben Ford: killer tone, master technique, love his version of Spoonful.
Rick you are one of those rare interviewers that actually allows his subject to speak and complete their thoughts. And he’s a great subject.
An overlooked album of Robin’s is a live compilation called Discoverin’ The Blues which is how I discovered him.
Oh yeah Discoverin' the Blues. That's the one with the 2 tone dark blue & white cover IIRC. Some great early stuff on there. I think he plays sax on a tune?
I've never seen Robben enjoy himself this much in an interview. Kudos to you, Rick!
What a lovely interview and what a lovely down to earth, humble man. I was eagerly waiting for him to play too. Had the great pleasure of doing the stage sound when he and the Yellow Jackets toured Europe backing Randy Crawford in the '80s. Brilliant band and stunningly brilliant guitarist. Unforgettable 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧
Great interview Rick
Heres my quick Robben Ford story
one of my first gigs was mixxing monitors and doing backline at the China club in LA '
Robben was performing one night so he comes in for sound check and his amp goes down
the amps at the club kinda sucked so i offer to run to my apartment and grab "MY MARSHALL" head
I mean its Robben Frigging Ford he cant be playing through just anything
so his tech rolls his eyes and says go ahead kid
i come back and we do the sound check
after im waiting for the verdict
his tech comes up to me and says Robben real likes you amp
he wants to buy it!!!
thats when i knew i had a great amp!!!
So did you sell. You left us hanging
@@dalenelson7161 Cmon Man of course not but i def agonized
danny saber good man!
I might have let him make an offer...
HEART...so much heart Robben has...I FELT strong feelings so many times while he opened up...what makes musicians so different from people who are not strong right sided ( or is it left, sorry) in their brain..
Hey Rick, you forgot to mention George Harrison in that litany of credits.
I’ve seen Robben four of five times, never been disappointed but the best time was taking my son (who is a great player also) to a guitar clinic featuring him as their special guest.
Robben spent about two hours playing, talking music theory, and when asked..telling stories about the folks he’s played with ( George Harrison, Joni Mitchell, and Miles). He was inspiring, humble and delightful to hang out with for an evening. The music store that put it on (long since boarded up) put out a spread of finger foods that made all of us music geeks feel like royalty. Definitely the best two hours of guitar instruction I’ve ever had. Especially for just 20 bucks! Ah..Those were the days!
Thanks for having Robben on. Not many left who could tell us stories of having played with Miles...and a Beatle!
Funny you mention that. I saw the George Harrison tour in Oakland, with Robben Ford on lead. He came out smoking! Harrison's face said it all. And, after the first song, he went over to Robben and made him turn down! Weird magic!
PC160
Yeah, that’s funny you would mention that. I grew up in Sacramento. The clinic I was talking about was at The Sound Chamber, and I have a friend who saw what I think was that same tour in Oakland. I think it was the Darkhorse tour? I remember him mentioning that Harrison‘s voice was a bit raspy, or horse. I thought it was a funny turn on words.
Completely riveting and very emotional. He’s a huge hero of mine and I felt like he had come around for tea and a chat. Wonderful thanks Rick
“Music has been devastated” and he still keeps his kind of “sweet” tone. Musicians are the warriors of our time somehow. They do their thing even though the world has already forgotten them. I don’t mean they are the only heroes but most of them are all spirit.
As much as I love Robben, I feel he shouldn't bash music of today...its just not productive.
@@661ufos that's the same thing the older generation said about music back then lol
@@RiggedVedist the older generation back then called miles music crap too lol nothing stays the same..and people will continue to say "it's not like it was" lol
@@661ufos Big fiction, we wont know whats timeless until....
Pop music has always been 95% garbage. Today and yesterday. In the past though you could hear glimpses of good music or a genre would pop up and be popular for a moment that was good. You don't see that at all anymore. Quality hasn't peaked its head in pop in a long time, but thats all quality music has ever done in the pop realm. It peaks its head in, leaves a gem and goes back underground.
Hi Rick, you were really able to draw the elusive Robben Ford out into the daylight with this interview.. For all of his career I've never heard him open up quite like this before.. He seems to garner the same respect from All musicians, from Every genre, while Always maintaining his privacy and integrity.. He is such a masterful artist, and yet he has worked so hard to stay outside of the spotlight.. Very Rare Indeed.. You made him more comfortable and at ease than I have ever seen.. Thank you Rick, this was a visit with the man that we have always hoped for... Lary
Robben Ford! So glad you spoke with him about his playing with the Yellowjackets! His solo on Monmouth College Fight Song was incredible, definitely worth a listen!
I was wondering when you'd get to Robben. To my ear, "Inside Story" has some of Robben's most heart felt passages. It still influences my note choices even today. Rick I'd love to see you breakdown the title track and a few others, like you did with Pat Metheny. BTW- great interview. I never thought I would see Rick a bit...humbled. Not necessary though. You hold your own on all fronts.Peace.
Rick, this is best interview I've seen yet with Robben Ford. You asked great questions and afforded him the opportunity to really process them and respond. He did a great job of sharing his thoughts and experiences. Thank you both for this.
Wow! What a great interview! Robben seems really relaxed and enjoying the interaction. He has such a beautiful way of speaking and expressing himself. Fantastic job on this Rick!
14:48 Robben: "Like rearranging deck chairs on the Titantic". Epic!
Yes!
Stephen Colbert used that term to describe the Bush administration when he was roasting Bush at the WH Correspondents dinner in '06.
What a jewel in the Crown of music educators and commentators Rick Beato is! Always enriching our knowledge and appreciation.
Live robben is great to watch a blues jazz guy. Session musician of course
Anyone who gets play with Joni and miles has to be great and a real artist
Yep, it's an elite club.... Herbie, Wayne, Robben.....
What a statement by a musician, “I pick up the guitar for a reason”. It’s a tool for creativity, it’s not about working on technique, technique is a means to an end to allow an artist to get out what they want to say.
That concept needs to be grasped by more modern musicians.
Some of us really need to get up to speed (like me) so I still have a journey ahead of me of picking up guitar and working on technique. I am nowhere where I need to be right now so I don't think twice about focusing on one run or change and trying to get my fingers to move faster...
that's not necessarily what he meant you're talking about 2 different things, and to support your argument there's a better quote in the video
Never in my life have I clicked a link this fast! One of my all-time heroes sharing his stories with the best RUclipsr there is. Now top that! Thanks Rick and Robben!
Me too! It was only a couple weeks ago when I saw him interviewed in some sterile setting by some lady and thought....Beato should be doing this!
tremendous inisightful interview with robben ford!!!!!!!!!!!!! this interviw is insightful because rick beato is a MUSICIAN and not a reporter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
35:00 "We had some great, personal times together, one of my favorites was..." EDIT.
C'mon man. What did you edit out?
excuse my correction, i think you mean AN EARLY ALBUM SCHIZOPHONIC, clever title, yes? It was so nice to be with Robben & you together for this, great interview & he enjoyed your delving into his work & feelings about such interesting stuff. Thank for this, Rick, just good time spent in a lifetime of loving the best music.
Amazing artist! I was really impressed that he mentioned Paul Desmond! I love Paul Desmond!
Saw Desmond with Brubeck late 60s Sheffield UK, marvelous gig. Joe Morello drums.
Desmond was a beautiful improviser. Guitarists should also check out the recordings that Desmond made with the great guitarist Ed Bickert. Bickert was a really wonderful player.
@@MusicLiberates k
@@MusicLiberates check out Easy living with Jim Hall. It's a good one.
@@MusicLiberates Yes sir, Ed Bickert could play some tasty stuff and used a Telecaster.
Robben is a living legend. Such a humble, talented, funny guy! My hero!
I'm thinking the whole time.. "Play that guitar you're holding Robben!"
OMG at the end when he said: “I have a vision but when he’s playing something else,I let him as he’s reacting to me”.
As a budding director I had this frustration and anger, that I never got my vision and started to doubt if I had it.
I spoke to some directors, far bigger than I’ll ever be and all 3 said: “you never get your exact vision. Accept that, accept what the actors and crew bring to it as your job is to facilitate the premise and vision for THEM to do their job.” - unless you’re James Cameron.
Great, great interview! Robben is such a real, down-to-earth person! I bought "Talk to Your Daughter" in 1988 and has since become one of my 3 or 4 favorite guitarists of all time! His phrasing is phenomenal!
I agree. I listen to that . If you like it then try to find a live acoustic RF & Blue Line album. It s great. I need to find the name from my large collection of RF Cds. I have seen him three times and he is an inspired player. Humble but such a musical vocabulary and tone! Robben and Rick , thanks for the interview.
John Ciriani thanks John, I’ll look for that! I have most all of his subsequent albums, but his older stuff I just watch on RUclips! I can only assume you’ve watched him play with Miles?
The cell phone, excessive (undue) admiration for technique, and the end of the record industry. Will real music survive that triple threat?
Robben Ford ....👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
The sophistication came from the decade the 70s was a cool time vinyl was the thing and people had real ecclectic tastes and real diverse record collections guys like jimmy page had a very broad collection i come from a big family and half of my siblings had huge album collections it was almost a holy experience having your stuff in order taking albums and 45s and cleaning them placing them back with delicate care......now its digital files that live in servers its changed from an almost religous experience to an invisible “thing” that costs money ITS TRULY SAD....BRING BACK VINYL.
Wow - incredible interview. I too started off guitar with Mickey Baker's book #1... still have those books lying around somewhere.
Micky Baker's book, cool. That was a heavy duty method. Robben seems like a great guy besides being such a cool, iconic guitarist.
Great interview, Rick! I was lucky to see Robben playing with L.A. Express several times in Los Angeles in the 70's. It was an incredible band and Robben was incredibly innovative.
It was an interesting question posed about why the audiences were receptive in the 70s. For me, I'm 62, so many of the "jazz fusion" bands came out at Miles Davis. He was the fountainhead. You have Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock etc. all forging their own path with audiences that knew them already from Miles.
I have a friend in Hong Kong who's a pretty fair blues man himself and we were fortunate enough to see Robben Ford (his idol) in HKG just about 6 years ago in an acoustically marvelous theater in Sha Tin, Hong Kong, that only sat about 1,800 people. Fabulous show. Brilliant artist. Andy Maxwell I hope you see this bro!
I saw him at Songbirds North in Chattanooga. Fantastic show
Ian Taylor Photography, small world. I was so spellbound by the performance I didn’t take any photos. Pre-show at the bar, enjoyed a whiskey and 10 minutes with his bass player who finished his drink just as Robben whooshed through bar in a trail duster on his way to sound ck. the bass man then in tow. I was gob-smacked.
I don't hear any spiritual improvisation these days, techic become art .
- Robben Ford -
Thanks to Robben for ‘Top of the Hill’ and ‘Nothing to Nobody.’ Some of the coolest lyrics I’ve ever heard!
Thanks to Rick for asking great questions.
That's right. His songwriting is what has improved the most. Some great lyrics and he's got more to say. He's still growing.
Jesus. I've been to 4 of Robben's clinics (in Ojai, CA), watched probably every RUclips video he's ever made, and seen him live more than a dozen times. In spite of all that, every time I hear him speak, he says something I have never heard him say before. Robben, you will always be my primary guitar hero. I can't wait to see you live again.
Comes across as a very mindful artist - very aware of the moment
He's been into Buddhism for years.
Just love the way Robben smiles. Lots of his character in his smile
Interviews with guitars heroes, keeps me coming back, Rick! This was the best interview with Robben yet that I've ever heard. He was obviously at ease with you, and you only asked intelligent, thoughtful questions. I look forward to every episode you post...peace...
Great video Rick! Quick story. Many years ago Robben came to my home town in Louisville, KY to play a show and afterward he was doing a meet and greet (it was a very small venue). I took my ticket and a CD I had brought with me (one of the blue line CD's I'm sure) and as I stood there shaking his hand he asked me "So, how did it sound?" I was floored. "Great! What rig are you running?" He then took me up on stage to see his Dumble and pedalboard, guitars, etc. Nicest dude I have ever met. Also got to meet Larry Carlton like that and he was so modest and so gracious. Things have changed in the music business so much since then.
Mentioning Terry Haggerty, from the Sons of Champlin. Another favorite guitar player. Been a big fan of Robben since the Charles Ford Band.
I have films of Terry in San Francisco solo at a cafe doing a couple standards. Also Robben playing in Petaluma. And some Pat Martino and Dave Liebman all on my channel.
Listening to Robben makes me so grateful to have grown up loving the blues. Fifty years later it’s still the bedrock of my listening and enjoyment.
Joni Mitchell - a fantastic under rated genius
Brian Smith and her album “ the hissing of summer lawns” is great
3110hello
Yes I have all her albums I like the first one the best. I like the sound of open D but I have a lot of her songs in different tunings
Underrated by whom?
Underrated? Thought she was universally praised.
joni mitchell has never been underrated
No question, this was the best most engaged interview I've ever seen with Robben
Well Done Rick, with a brilliant interview with EJ this week too you're gonna have to be beating down Jeff Becks door to top this
This was amazing Rick-you really brought out something unique from Robben in this interview.
These interviews are a contribution to posterity. You are an amazing interviewer, people open up for you like nobody else. Robben Ford, Lukather, Frampton, Metheny… the list goes on… THANK YOU!!!! Please don’t ever stop, we need these legends and this wisdom, Experience their spirits and yet another way, in addition to their music :-) before they move on to the next plane of existence :-)
By people you mean mostly (but not exclusively) niche blues/jazz guitar players who are mostly known within the small guitar oriented world? Who else would they open up to?
Thanks, Rick for bringing attention to Robben Ford. Everyone should check out his music. As I have gotten older, his music has taken a special place for me. Robben and Jeff Beck are two examples of artists who just keep growing, changing, and simply getting better as they get older. And that is pretty damn cool.
"Sounds the same, unless you have that personal expression" Robben.
Hell of a player!
Rick, after watching this video (for probably the 5th time) and recently watching the Pat Metheny video (for the multiple time-still my favorite), your interviews are for me what Guitar Player Magazine was for me growing up. These interviews would be great in audio form and also in word. Always enjoy your great content!
Ford has played with and has so much experience with so many unique artists! A great and knowledgeable musician, and a great interview that is rooted with information!
Wonderful interview, and lovely to hear you give Robben the space to really open up. Very enjoyable and heart warming to hear these stories. Thank you!
Robben’s first band with his family was great. His brother Mark is one of the best harmonica players around!
Have a drink each time Robben says ‘you know’...see how long you can last 😂 Seriously, a great interview by Rick, excellent!
Dude I wish you didn't point that out, I can't stop focusing on that now.
Yes..first time I heard of him was video footage of the C Ford Blues Band at a San Francisco Blues Festival....that slow blues song was it, cant remember the name though
Yeah, one of my roommates had the “Charles Ford” blues band or Band. Can’t remember the exact name but Robben was the family member that really stood out. He must have been about 16 or so. And I’ve heard everything he’s recorded since then. I heard the Eric Johnson interview and now this one. I love it and it’s way better to have a guitar player do the interview.
@@nomadman123 40 days and 40 nights was the name of the song...you tube
What a personable, insightful and outgoing musician, willing to share his past, present and future with Rick (and us). His investment in his art is obvious and makes his music even more meaningful for me.
What a great interview Robben Ford is so humble and very articulate on his answers. But then again....of course it's Robben Ford 💜😎🤙
Greetings from Finland. Just listening the Yellowjackets - 1st Album for the first time. It's grrreat indeed! Thank you Rick for this interesting interview with Robben Ford.
i love robin ford his tone his music and his ability to describe his music he is great teacher of music as well
Interesting interview but waiting to hear you ask about Ford's experience playing with Jimmy Witherspoon. Enough of the Miles Davis questions. Every freaking interview I read they always ask how was it playing with Miles? 🤮In my opinion he was a great musician but for example playing with Parker he fell all over his feet. Dizzy was the man when playing with Parker. Some should think twice thinking miles was some kind of God.... Roy Hargrove Kenny Wheeler, Freddie Hubbard etc.... that's the ticket...
I have mp3 vinyl tape and Bluetooth - why not ? It’s useful and all - vinyl is the best
I know what you mean. Vinyl through even a decent system sounds wonderful, but great music will resonate with me through any medium.
Using a bluetooth to sing along in the shower and streaming recorded concerts in my car while driving are actually really fun for me.
That being said, I'm militant to a fault when it comes to live guitar tone.
Vinyl except for a wax role, is the most inferior carrier for music, and that’s a scientific fact. Mechanical sensing can never catch both bass and treble properly. And this is why vinyl lacks a lot of highs and sound warmer.
Been following Robben since the Yellowjackets album. This was a great interview. So often the quintessential gentleman, all loving-kindness, I enjoy hearing him opinionated and uncensored. Cheers Robben! Best, Daniel Ford
"you ever wanna come back, you just come back" ..wow, what an accolade :)
14:00: Great to hear Robben talk about blues and its links to spirituality. Blues really is profoundly spiritual music and without it jazz is missing something fundamental. John McLaughlin has stated the very same thing on a number of occasions.
This has got to be the best interview with Robben Ford I’ve ever seen. Also I thought no other guitar player was into Rahsaan Roland Kirk. A true musician and songwriter that is constantly evolving.
I made a trip to New York way back in the 70s. Went to the Bowery and a jazz club. Guess who was there. Rassan Roland Kirk. I didn’t appreciate it at the time. Tony Williams Lifetime was the next week. I missed him. Damn
It's interesting that his influences are mostly horn players.
listened to him for years starting when i was young without knowing who he was i just really liked his style, it seemed so colourful and different
Really appreciated the mentions of Mike Bloomfield, one of my all time favorite guitar players. Early on, he put so much emotion into his playing that it came through loud and clear even through the electronic filter of a recording. Butterfield, Super Session, Mother Earth solo with Tracy Nelson, One Good Man with Janis Joplin....great stuff. Thanks for another excellent interview Rick!
Robben is now 70 years old and still full of enthusiasm for music. Love his phrasing and that "Dumble tone" he gets is the only overdrive sound I can
listen to. Great interview!!
Interesting to hear that even a player of such a high level as Robben is fed up with guitar playing after touring. I was thinking that in case I could play like that, I would never ever want to stop playing.
However, maybe there really is something like too much of a good thing and one can really burn out on anything. Great interview, by the way!
What an amazing interview! Thanks Rick. You do the BEST interviews! And Robben Ford is such a real and genuine human being! What a treat!
Every now and again, in various interviews with various artists of renown "Mickey Baker's Jazz Method" pops up in the conversation. What a great resource that continues to be.
It’s also handy but yes mp3 only has 25% of the data
At most
Not at 320k...
disarmsox really ? You think so ? Get a decent system and you’ll tell the vinyl has 100% cd about 90% mp3 320 is flat about 15-25% of the data.
It’s just not there.
On a tv or Bluetooth sure mp3 is ok but put a cd on and boom 💥. Put vinyl on and you’re there
Brian Smith that’s the truth the data is just not there on even 320 mp3. It’s like streaming vs 16K.
The only useful thing about mp3 is you can have 1000 albums in your pocket but quality is low. Put vinyl on and yes it’s obvious
Brian Smith totally
Hi Rick, Thanks for this interview with Robben Ford. Robben is possibly my favourite modern day living guitarist. His comments talking about the first recording you hear of an artist can be your favourite, really resonated with me. The first time I heard Robben Ford was his album 'The Inside Story'. It is a record I go to constantly if I want to listed to Robben Ford. The bass player on that album is Jimmy Haslip, another favourite player. After discovering Robben on the inside story, I realised he worked with Joni Mitchell - another favourite, as well as countless sessions & collaborations with other artists. I also enjoyed his discussion on improvisation & the notion of what's in your soul is there to help you express what you are attempting to say in your music. As a musician, I really enjoy improvising. I find it quite exhilarating & I love where the music can 'take' you when the musicians around you are in sync together, sometimes it is pure indulgence, but other times it's pure magic. Sorry for getting cosmic!