Review: Robin Trower – Shine
Robin Trower returns with ‘Shine’, ten new originals built around his unmistakable guitar sound
Robin Trower – Shine
Format: CD / LP / Digital
Label: Provogue / Artone Label Group
Release date: September 25, 2026
Text: Tom Wouters
Robin Trower is one of the guitar heroes coming from the beginning of the British beat era. After a stint with The Paramounts he joined Procol Harum, but left that band to form Jude with Scottish singer Frankie Miller, ex-Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker and bassist/singer James Dewar. Jude didn’t last long, though, and Trower went solo, accompanied by Dewar, his favourite singer. The beginning of his solo career was very successful with as highlight the 1974 album ‘Bridge Of Sighs’. Through the decades Trower has been playing and recording continuously. In the last decade that resulted in eight albums in ten years. For the now 81 years old guitarist it’s simple: “Playing guitar that’s what I do, and that’s what I love, live and in the studio.”
For ‘Shine’ Trower went in the studio playing guitars and bass together with singer Richard Watts, an indispensable part of his band since 2022, and drummer Chris Taggart to record ten new Trower originals. The sound is unmistakingly Robin Trower: the heavily distorted and Hendrix influenced guitar work. For the intro of The Race he even borrowed Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” riff. And the closer It’s Not Time has a beautiful Bridge Of Sighs extended end. Furthermore Richard Watts features in the tremendously melodic Love By Any Other Name, Faith and Without You.
Tracks:
01. The Missing Piece
02. Shine
03. Love By Any Other Name
04. Live Your Time
05. Faith
06. Driving On Through
07. Truth
08. The Race
09. Robin Trower – Without You
10. Robin Trower – It’s Not Time
Website: https://www.trowerpower.com
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