Mike Smith Meeting Robin Trower
@ The Robin 2 September 9th 2010

Robin and Mike Smith

Being guitarist and founder member of Trower Power, the Uk's only tribute to Robin Trower, has heralded an interesting juncture for me, Mike Smith.
September 9th 2010 has become a very special date for me, and the pinnacle of following the music of Robin Trower for the past 35 years.
 Through my work with Trower Power over the past few years, I have found myself coming into contact with various people, especially, Steve Shail and Alan Howard, who like me nurture a serious interest in the music of British guitarist Robin Trower.
Steve runs a specialist website dedicated to the History of Robin Trower,  while Alan runs a similar based fan site here in the UK. Through my friendship with Alan over the past couple of years, I was able to make contact with Steve Shail. It was during a conversation with Steve earlier this year, that I happened to mention that I was intending to go to Trower's 2010 September show at The Robin 2 in Bilston, here in the UK. Steve took it upon himself to organise for
me and my daughter to attend the band's sound-check at the venue, and to hopefully meet Robin and the band.......
  It's not every day you get a chance to meet one of the greatest guitarists that has immersed from the shores of Britain I thought,
as I nervously awaited for my mobile signal to connect with Laurie, Robin's Tour Manager and Sound Engineer. The stage entrance to the Robin 2 suddenly opened, and my daughter and I were greeted by Laurie. Instantly we were both made to feel at ease, the nervousness I had initially felt quickly melted away. We were led into the venue, and told to make ourselves at home. Laurie informed us that the band was not there yet, and that he and Robin's guitar tech were just getting things ready onstage.
I must admit the whole experience had began to feel very strange to me, particularly as my Trower tribute band had played at the Robin just a few months earlier.
 Laurie asked me a number of questions about my tribute act and went onto to explain how Robin likes his live sound. He was so helpful I thought as I was greeted by Robin's guitar tech. The two of us instantly immersed ourselves in guitar spiel. This was right up my street I thought.
We were informed that the band was just a couple of minutes away from the venue, and everyone quickly moved into position. The side doors of the Robin burst open, in walked Glenn Letsch and Pete Thompson. Next through was Robin. I must admit he appeared so much taller than I had ever imagined! The band made their way up onto the stage and slowly settled themselves into the task at hand.
Having played in countless bands over the years, I had always come to expect that sound-checks tended to be rather tense affairs. Not this bunch of musicians I add. Robin spent a few moments listening to his onstage sound, and then proceeded to make a series of subtle adjustments to his live sound. Once happy, he closed his eyes and began playing a lovely selection of soul wrenching lines, while getting a feel for the venue and putting his self into the necessary mindset required for playing the show.  By this point, Pete had sorted out minor amendments to the position of his cymbals and had finalised his drum monitor mix. Pete began grooving with Robin. Finally, Glenn had sorted out his monitoring and was content with his bass sound and the three musicians were ready to sound-check. However, what I did find somewhat strange was that Davey
Pattison, Trower"s vocalist was not present for the sound-check.
With the three musicians happy with their onstage sound, they began playing around and developing a theme that eventually led the band into Extermination Blues.
Laurie worked the front of house sound, producing what can only be deemed as a great well balanced Hi Fi mix. All too many times I have been to countless shows and felt let down with the general quality of the mix, but not here. Laurie had crafted a superb live mix, working like the sixth member of the band.
With the sound-check complete, Laurie called over and said let's go and see Robin? The nervousness quickly returned.
 We walked over to the bottom of the steps that led down from the right hand side of the stage.  Laurie called over to Robin, drawing his attention, "Robin its Mike Smith"? he said, as a puzzled look ran across Robins face.
Laurie turned to me and said "have you met Robin before? I quietly answered "no". Robin smiled. I began by introducing myself as Mike Smith the guy who plays in a UK based tribute band called Trower Power. My nervousness vanished as a friendly warmth emanated from him as he reached out his hand to shake mine. Robin was aware of the band and told me that he was genuinely flattered by the fact that I had invested the time and energy necessary into putting together a band as a tribute to him. I went onto to tell him the story of how I got into his music, stating that having walked into a local
record store back in the mid 70s, whilst still at school, I was drawn to the cover of Robin Trower Live pinned to the wall. I went onto add that the shop assistant put the album on for me and I was totally smitten. We joked at the fact that it was some 35 years ago. Robin went onto add that it couldn't have been as he was only 32!
Next he turned his attention to my daughter Hollie, who under my influence, has grown up liking Trowers music. Robin was genuinely fascinated by the fact that, as a 19 year old girl, she was introducing her friends both at home and at her university to the extensive catalogue of Trowers music.
With photos taken and a selection of autographs done, we let Robin carry on with his preparations for the evening show.
During our meeting we both found Robin Trower to be a caring, approachable person who really did enjoy spending time talking to the likes of my daughter and me.... As Robin began to walk off, I took the opportunity of handing him a 3 track live CD of my own takes on Trowers music... He turned, smiled and thanked me.... assuring me that he would listen to it!
As a final conclusion to this experience, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Alan Howard, Laurie Brace, Robin
Trower and his band, and last but not least, Steve Shail for making it happen!! Thank You!!

Mike Smith

The Robin Trower band opened to a full house at its Robin 2 gig in Bilston, West Midlands, here in the UK, with Robin airing his two Marshall Vintage Modern amps linked to 2 x 2x12 Marshall cabs. The onstage sound was loud and the front of house sound was a great sounding well balanced Hi Fi mix.
Robin’s guitar cut through the mix delivering a crisp, warm, soulful tone, while Pete Thompson’s drum sound delivered a big and colourful sound, Glen Letsch’s bass presented us with a rounded and full bass tone and Davey Pattison’s voice delivered a crisp, well focussed and well executed vocal performance.
After the normal cheers from the Bilston crowd as the band entered the stage, the band opened their set with a great reworked version of Confessing Midnight. Instantly, the crowd fell under the mesmerising spell of Trower and his band. Next up on the list was a great rendition of Lady Love followed by a terrific rendition of Somebody calling. By this point, the band looked both relaxed and settled into their Bilston environment.
Next up on the set was You Could Find Me, a cool sounding newly penned track, which led the band nicely into a fantastic performance of Twice Removed From Yesterday.
Trower then went onto unleash a stunning rendition of Extermination Blues, with Mr T delivering some great soulful guitar playing. The audience cheered as Robin initiated the opening riff of Day of The Eagle, which led the band comfortably into a super version of Bridge of Sighs, with Robin pulling out all the stops. Next on the list was another classic, Shame The Devil, followed by another new track, The Turning, which to my ears sounded like the initiation of yet another classic Trower anthem.
Trower’s final two songs of the evening were classic Trower songs – Too Rolling Stoned followed by Little Bit of Sympathy, with the band by this point, delivering all it had.
As the band left the stage it wasn’t long before the cheers of the crowd had them back up again, ending a fantastic night with Rise up Like The Sun and Not Inside – Outside.
The show tonight displayed the soulful passion that Trower still has for his music, proving that the work he has written over the past 40 years is as strong now as it ever was. However, it seemed apparent to me tonight, that all previous indications of Robin Trower retiring were just pure speculation.
Speaking on behalf of those present at the gig, I thinks it’s fair to say that we were all given a rare glimpse of the musical genius of a legend whose very soul lies at the juncture where his fingers come into direct touch with the strings of his Fender Stratocaster!

Set List
Confessing Midnight
Lady Love
Somebody Calling
You Could Find Me
Twice Removed From Yesterday
Extermination Blues
Day of The Eagle
Bridge of Sighs
Shame The Devil
The Turning
Too Rolling Stoned
Little Bit of Sympathy

Encore
Rise up like The Sun
Not Inside – Outside