Both Robben Ford and Bill Evans have been around long enough to know what works and what lasts. Guitarist/vocalist Ford made his name as a founding member of The Yellowjackets and saxist Evans was blowing with Miles Davis during the trumpet player’s comeback in the 80s. Together, with Keith Carlock/dr, Rob Aries/key and James Genus/b, they combine their strengths for a mix of blues, rural sounds and fusion.
Ford’s tensile guitar teams up well as he rocks with Evans’ tenor, Genus’ bass line and some rich voicings by Laurie Wheeler on the upbeat “Star Time” with Ford mixing acoustic and electric on the folksy and rural “Something In Rose” to create a dreamy atmosphere. The team gets swampy with Evans on bari and some down home keyboards on “Big Mama” and Ford is wonderfully laid back with Evans’ tenor on the bluesy “Gold On My Shoulder.” Evans’ soprano flies over the snappy drums as he lends in his voice to the bluesy “Insomnia” and the two do a rural two step shuffle on “Bottle Opener.” The most jazzy of moments take place with the gents getting Miles nourish on “Pixies” and kinetic on the angular “Strange Days.” While these two vets have come from different backgrounds, they unite by walking down the same bluesy path, and it’s a worthwhile venture. If they hit So Cal, somebody please tell me!