Day of the Eagle - The Best of Robin Trower

iTunes Review

Though Robin Trower isn't a household name, he's frequently acknowledged by both veteran and up-and-coming hard rock guitarists as an important influence on their own playing. Trower established his career with Procol Harum, but it was as a solo performer that he cemented his legacy. This best-of collection selects cuts from his first eight solo albums, recorded between 1973 and 1980, and it's a virtual textbook on heavy blues rock that could even be considered heavy metal back when it was more of a blues-directed form. His Hendrix-influenced guitar tone, the dramatic vocal contributions of the late, great James Dewar, and the overall strong quality of the material establish Trower as one of the most overlooked performers of the '70s and that rare guitarist who never lost sight of the song. “Day of the Eagle,” “Bridge of Sighs,” “Long Misty Days,” and the live version of “Too Rolling Stoned” define an era that's often emulated but rarely replicated. While Trower could jack up the action, he was often best taking it slowly; the ballads “Daydream” and “About to Begin” are among his most affecting tunes.