Jack Bruce, Robin Trower - Seven Moons

"Ain’t got time to waste / Keep thinking about the future," Jack Bruce wails in "Lives of Clay." On the second track of his forceful, album-length alliance with guitarist Robin Trower, Bruce’s signature bass lines chug beneath the blues-powered lead guitar. The duo sounds as if ready to break out, rather than the legendary veterans of more than four decades in the business. Long-time jazz and rock session drummer Gary Husband completes the trio for these live-in-studio sessions, which showcase the genius of Bruce and Trower equally and collaboratively. Trower’s Hendrix-style fingering leads the relentless title track, and his bluesy romps power the slower ballads, especially the shadowy "Distant Places of the Heart" and "Bad Case of Celebrity," a bluesy romp through the heart of pop idolism. As for Bruce, you wonder where 40 years have gone since Cream closed it down at the Royal Albert Hall. His familiar blues-based, bass-driven melodies chauffeur the album’s rockers, notably "Lives of Clay," "She’s Not the One," and the superlative "The Last Door." On this, he announces: "We came to search for what was lost." Clearly, they found what they were looking for. --Scott Holter Amazon.com

Disappointing

Just to be clear: I am a big Jack Bruce fan, he is probably my favourite musical artist, and his playing with Cream inspired me to take up the electric bass at a very young age. In my opinion "Harmony Row" was one of the best albums recorded by anybody.

I seem to be in the minority here, but of the Bruce/ Trower collaborations, this one sounds to me to be the weakest of the three, the BLT album being the best. I've listened to this CD several times, each time searching desperately for something to recommend it, but I'm still unable to come up with much of anything.

My main complaint is Jack's bass playing. I find myself constantly checking the CD cover to confirm that Jack is indeed playing bass on this CD because, in my opinion, the bass parts could have been played by any competent bassist. Where, I keep asking myself, is the distinctive phrasing and technique that separates Jack's playing from every other bass player's? It is certainly not in evidence here.

Secondly, the songs themselves leave much to be desired and they are delivered with a striking lethargy, especially when compared to the "BLT" album. That album has all the fire, funk, energy and distinctive playing (from Trower as well) that "Seven Moons" lacks.

Being the Bruce fan that I am I had to have this CD, but I'm sorry to say that it will probably sit on my shelf and gather dust from now on since there is nothing about it that compels me to give it another listen. Obviously there are others here who disagree, and I respect their opinions, but for me this CD was a great disappointment. October 10, 2008

Loved it on the first spin

I hadn't listened to any Trower since Victims of the Fury and don't know any of Jack Bruce's work outside of Cream, but the pairing of these two blues/rock greats seemed promising, so I gave it a chance. I loved this CD on the first listen and can't get enough of it - great song writing, inspired vocals and alternating blistering and moody guitar work. Put some headphones on or just sit back in front of a pair of good speakers and give this CD your attention. Then go tell your friends about it. Bruce and Trower deserve recognition for this rewarding effort. October 3, 2008

Not a throw away in the lot

This is a unique & really unparalleled musical relationship that Jack has had with Robin since 1981. Their first outing, BLT, "should" stand with landmark rock albums. Sadly it gets over looked by almost all. Their 2nd effort, took me years to appreciate. Trower is seldom even talked about in terms of the great players today. You over achieve as He did with TRFY and Bridge of Sighs.....well it's HARD to find that kind of pure musical genius again. Robin is a terrific song writer, His voice seems to get in the way for some (most) people. Not I. *Proud Smile* So mediocrity within vocals at times has eluded Robin. Dave Bronze, Davey Pattison (becoming) this man. Trower Marries His Strat to Bruce's vocals in such a glorious and literally "loving way", it's as if That player ie: The singer and lead guitaist are one and the same. Highlights? "Come to me" is haunting yet so much Fun, Trower Really shines much earlier in this song. "Bad case of Celebrity" is just too much. You Must like Bruce's approach on vocals or else your going to loathe this song. Patience. *SMILE* "Perfect Place" There Should BE a law. Trower's SOUND is semi-godly, it's so pronounced, so sweet, so fricking much Brown Tone you'll laugh out loud. Bruce is not over shadowed in this song or any other. They, it's like they've worked together for years and Husband is very solid through out also. "So far too Yesterday" is probably the closest thing to a throw away that I've found. ((He's Actually Being Critical of this band for a change!!)) *S* "The Last Door" will Slay you. Very up tempo with Robin in a kind of......"61 years old, watch this Jack" *SMILE*!!! He permeates the inside of the song, it's like they'd been playing it for years. Buy it. Buy it today. Old war horses? They aint dead yet baby. *SMILE* AWESOME MATERIAL. September 6, 2008

Wow!!!! Blew Me Away!!!

Sounds just like what it is. Two Greats, Jack Bruce on vocals and Bass, and Robin Trower on Guitar and Lyrics. Not alot of studio excess, just loose straight up power. This cd will suck you in from the first song and get better with age, just like these two have!!! June 15, 2008

Why did they bother?

This is without doubt the worst CD I have ever bought. It has absolutely no redeeming features, it's not even well recorded. Why two giants of 60's and 70's music would want to release something like this is beyond me. All it does is sully an otherwise brilliant reputation for both of them. Very sad. It's a lemon...don't touch it! June 15, 2008

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