Graham Robins
'2008 INDY AWARD NOMINEE
Graham Robins
'Magical Rootsy Stuff And Atmosphere By The Spadeful!
Brand New Single - Starting Over Again - Out On Global Sessions
A stunning night of acoustic music encapsulating all that is good in Soul, Blues, Country and Gospel Music in one big package from one of the most exciting voices on the U.K. Acoustic Music Scene.
This powerful and emotive singer - songwriter's career spans four decades but his heart and love of performing is still as young as yesterday. His passionate and heartfelt songs draw from years of experience and influences that cross musical borders.
With four previous album releases and years of gigs with some of the finest musicians on the U.K. scene Graham finds himself in fresh and exciting surroundings working alongside formidable and talented guitarist Ronnie Johnson whose credits include working alongside Van Morrison as Musical Director with world tours and performances of several albums including:Too Long In Exile, A Night In San Francisco, Days Like This, The Healing Game and Still On Top.
Graham Robins soulful voice together with Ronnie Johnson's impeccable guitar playing knit together perfectly wrapped around lyrics gathered from a lifetime of experience, where a performance becomes a passionate embrace of heartfelt songs revealing great depth and sincerity.
'Gloriously Uplifting.
●
For Bookings:
Telephone: U.K.+44(0)7773 263918
e-mail: graham@themodestmusicgroup.com
Please go to our links page for the following WEB LINKS:
www.myspace.com/grahamrobins
www.globalsessions.co.uk
NEW SINGLE :'STARTING OVER AGAIN
available as download at : www.saladbrothers.com
Gig Diary ( next 8 weeks)
Albums/Samples
Roll Back The Years
Date: 2006
Some people keep diaries, others write books about life’s experiences. But Graham Robins immortalises his life’s journey in songs. Luton’s own travelling troubadour has his fourth album out this week, with one foot very firmly in the past as he looks with optimism to the future.
As the title suggests, Roll Back The Years is all about Graham’s personal musical journey, which has seen him hitting the road and performing for some 40 years, often with just a trusty Takamine acoustic guitar and some sound equipment for company.
“The title track represents what my thoughts are on the ‘60s for me,” says Graham. “That was the era that made me want to get up on stage and do anything at all. I was originally inspired by the Rolling Stones and Tamla Motown, but the album is an eclectic mix of different types of music from country and blues to soul and gospel - that’s what the roots of music are all about.”
For those of a certain age, the title track is indeed a reminder of a golden age of life and music, with references to Cathy McGowan, Emperor Roscoe, Radio Caroline, John Peeel, Ben Sherman shirts and mini skirts. But this isn’t an album for oldies and music fans of all ages will find something to identify with in all of Graham’s poetic and memorable songs.
The 10 numbers may have a global resonance but the album is very much a Made In Luton event. The album was recorded in just one day at the town’s Hat Factory, where cover pictures of Graham were also taken at an earlier date, mixed by Luton’s Dave Wooster and released via 33 Records, which also has its base at the Bute Street arts venue.
There are no covers here and all songs have been penned by Graham during the past couple of years, some originally performed with his own band. But Graham has made the right decision in making this an all-acoustic album - just one man and a guitar, with some sympathetic and subtle piano accompaniment, giving the CD a very personal, pure and laid-back style.
Whatever has happened in the soul-bluesman’s past, he has never ended up embittered, if the lyrics are anything to go by. There are wrong ‘uns, for sure, fractured relationships and unfair throws of life’s dice but the singer tells the stories with fondness, forgiveness and understanding, making them all the more poignant.
I’m No Stranger To The Game, a tale of man-woman relationships, is one such tale with the ring of truth about it. And Graham is unlikely every to write a more heart-rending song than Orphan Child - a stand-out track telling of poverty, heartbreak and isolation. Played in a minor key and sung with real emotion, this is a perfect platform for the big man’s superb, gravelly voice and he makes the most of the opportunity.
My personal favourites here are the bouncy Saving Grace, featuring some sweet honky-tonk piano from Dave Baldwin, and Just The Blues And Me - a slow number that would set the mood for cool jazz-blues bars anywhere or just for chill-out quality time. Tom Hamilton’s Blues is a timeless tale of the Pony Express which cleverly morphs into our own present crazy communications world while the catchy 1951 D.A. is the album’s only classic country number.
Like most of the tracks, Magdalen’s Fire can be taken on two levels, spiritually or on face value, and Graham always gives the listener the option - it’s how you interpret it.
Whatever floats your boat, if you want some original, rootsy music, gutsy singing, understated, top-class accompaniment and atmosphere by the spadeful, look no further. You won’t find a duff track here but you will find a man at the height of his powers - we’re sure lucky to have him here on our doorstep.
The album will be in the shops soon but it can be bought for £10 plus p&p now via this website.
Alan Candy - Herald and Post - Luton - Bedfordshire
Track List...
- 1951 D.A.
- Magdalene's Fire
- Just The Blues And Me
- Quality Time
- Saving Grace
- Orphan Child
- No Stranger To The Game
- Tom Hamilton's Blues
- Wrapped Up With You
- Roll Back The Years
Samples...
Parish Papers
Date: 2004
The long awaited new Graham Robins Band CD. All tracks written by Graham Robins except 'Hold on to the light by Graham Robins & Paul Devonshire
Track List...
- Parish Papers
- Going down to Georgia
- Strong
- Crossing the Rubicon
- Hold on to the light
- Walking in the foosteps of soul man
Samples...
The Bare Tracks
Date: 2004
As a prelude to The Graham Robins Band long awaited C.D due out in the Autumn, Homburg Records are proud to announce the release of this selection of 'Live' and previously unavailable tracks. Eleven songs from his present set list including those listed below plus additional tracks that include the haunting instrumental 'Celtic Twist' and 'Tender Moments' from Graham’s one man play 'If you see Buddy' together with 'Fields In May' and 'The Magadalene Asylum'. Available on Homburg Records Now!
Track List...
- Walking In Silence
- Now All Of The Heartaches Gone
- Amazing Grace
- Tender Heart
- Tom Hamilton’s Blues
- The Gangster’s Of Rock 'n Roll
- Martine
Spirit Within
Date: 2003
An eclectic mix of Soul, Country & Celtic influences
Samples...