Very sad news that British guitarist/songwriter & producer Robin George passed away on April 26. It was announced on his facebook page a few days ago – “Robin had been fighting a long illness but by Christmas, it became obvious that he was not long for this world. He was devastated when he was no longer able to play his beloved guitars but he continued to write songs, do interviews, make videos and tell his story here on Facebook and through his biography. He desperately wanted his music to live on because music was in his heart and soul. Robin leaves behind his adored wife, 4 beloved children, 2 beautiful sisters, 9 lovely grandchildren, many dear friends and the animal family that he rescued over the years. We are devastated because there will never be another Robin George. LovePower with you always. You’re with your angels now.”
Robin had recorded numerous solo albums over the years and had also recorded with and performed with the likes of Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy), David Byron (Uriah Heep), John Wetton (Asia), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Peter Goalby (Uriah Heep), Sean Harris (Diamond Head), Robert Plant, Magnum, and many more. Last year he had signed on with Hear No Evil Recordings who released the excellent 2CD compilation of early recordings Ace In My Hand, as well as Overcome (with Glenn Hughes), along with the announcement just last week of the Byron Band 3CD box set On The Rocks…Again to be released in June. So it was good to see that he was finally getting a break and his music was being released properly.
In 1984 Robin signed with Bronze Records (soon to go under) and recorded the album Dangerous Music, which featured the hit “Heartline”. Record company issues held up the follow up album (see Dangerous Music II released in 2015). His next album would be 2001’s Rock Of Ageists, which featured favorites like “Crying Diamonds” and “Learn The Dance” (written with David Byron). Since then Robin would record numerous albums, especially during the global pandemic & lockdowns a few years back.
Over the years I interviewed Robin a few times, and he was always quick and happy to answer questions and share info on what he was up to. Robin had a strong and loyal following and left loads of great music worth checking out. RIP Robin.
To be released on November 24 through Cherry Red is the long-lost collaboration by Glenn Hughes and Robin George. Originally recorded in 1989, this 13 track CD comes from the original tapes, and also features other former members of Trapeze.
A chance meeting between Glenn Hughes and Robin George eventually resulted in an invitation for Glenn to sing backing vocals for Robin and Sean Harris’ Notorious album, which lead to a full collaboration between Robin and Glenn. The album started life as a solo Robin George record and developed into ‘Overcome’, complete with four songs co-written by the pair; ‘Number One’, ‘Sweet Revenge’, ‘Don’t Come Crying’, and the title track.
Such was the faith and strength in the new recordings, that a major label deal was struck but fell through, leaving these recordings to languish in the vaults. Glenn is on fine form on the album, and among the 13 tracks of melodic, and occasionally funky, hard rock, one special treat is the track ‘Haunted’, essentially recorded by a reformed Trapeze, featuring Dave Holland, Mel Galley and Terry Rowley.
Glenn Hughes has quite rightly been hailed “The Voice Of Rock”, and for good reason. With a career that kicked off with Mel Galley and Dave Holland in Trapeze in 1970, followed by Deep Purple between 1973 and 1976, Glenn would also form Hughes / Thrall, join Black Sabbath, enjoy a successful solo career, collaborate with artists as varied as Gary Moore, Joe Lynn Turner and the KLF, founding Black Country Communion and California Breed, and fronting The Dead Daisies.
Over the years, Robin George has collaborated with many musical legends, from Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, Thin Lizzy’s Philip Lynott, Uriah Heep’s David Byron, UFO’s Pete Way, John Wetton & Asia, Daniel Boone, Raymond Froggatt and the Quireboys’ Spike. As a native of Wolverhampton, it’s no surprise that a musician of Robin George’s caliber would cross paths with local heroes Trapeze.
TRACK LISTING:
1 Flying 2 Overcome 3 I Want 4 Haunted (featuring Trapeze’s Dave Holland, Mel Galley & Terry Rowley) 5 Number One 6 Sweet Revenge 7 The American Way 8 Machine 9 Steal My Heart 10 Things Have Gotta Change 11 Don’t Come Crying 12 Loving You 13 War Dance
From 1979 to ’82 Robin George recorded at the Old Smithy Studio in Worcester. During that time he worked closely with the late Daniel Boone (aka Pete Green), and was part of the Byron Band, (ex Uriah Heep). He also managed to record a number of tracks, these included numerous (now) legendary musicians and writers. So, through Cherry Red, Robin’s earliest recordings will get a proper release in June. These 24 original recordings were shelved as Robin would sign to Arista and release the 6-track mini-LP History in 1983, and then signed to Bronze to make the Dangerous Music album in ’84.
Aided by various musical luminaries, including Dave Holland and Charlie Morgan (Elton John) on drums, Pino Palladino (The Who) and Pete Wright (Trapeze) on bass, Daniel Boone, Mark Stanway (Magnum) and Terry Rowley (Trapeze) on keyboards with Mel Collins (King Crimson, Bad Company) on sax.
2 CDs of classic, melodic rock, this release features many photos from Robin’s personal archive and the set is completed by previously unpublished liner notes from the late Malcolm Dome, a much missed and well-respected music journalist who had been a great supporter of Robin’s career for over 40 years.
Ace In My Hand’ kicks off a campaign of exciting titles from Robin George, who will be available for interviews and press to promote this release.
“Ace In My Hand’ is not a nostalgia trip. It’s a lesson in music for everyone.” Malcolm Dome.
Track Listing
DISC ONE
1 Ace In My Hand 2 Castles In The Sky 3 Chance Of A Lifetime 4 Everybody Loves A Winner 5 Get On Your Knees And Pray 6 Go Down Fighting 7 Heartline 8 Home Is Where The Heart Is 9 I Believed In You 10 Johnny 11 Looks Better In Daylight
DISC TWO
1 Losing You 2 Lying On My Telephone 3 Machine 4 Mona Lisa Smile 5 Never Too Late 6 Private Lives 7 Run In The Dark 8 She Plays Computer Games 9 She Really Blew My Mind 10 Streetwise 11 This Time 12 Too Late 13 Tragedy
A Peter Goalby solo ‘Anthology’ will be released in September on Cherry Red Records. It pulls tracks from the 2 solo albums of long lost songs released in November of last year and May of this year. As well is adds 3 previously vinyl only released recordings Peter had done in the late ’80s and issued as singles under the names ‘Soho’ and ‘Perfect Stranger’.
“I Don’t Wanna Fight” & “It’s All Over Your Face (It’s All Over)” were produced by Mickie Most and released in released on RAK Records in 1988 under the Perfect Stranger name, while “Mona Lisa Smile” (also backed with “It’s All Over Your Face (It’s All Over)”) was also produced by Most, and released on RAK in ’88. The A-side was also co-written by Robin George, who is credited with arranging them on that single single release.
The past year of putting together his past solo recordings and seeing how great the response was to his CD releases was an eye opener for Peter Goalby, who had retired from the music business 30 years ago, and has been doing interviews and seeing positive reviews to Easy With The Heartaches & I Will Come Runnin’. Me hopes, but not very likely that someone, somewhere – will dig out more recordings from Peter’s past and get them properly released [ie Fable].
Tracklisting:
1 Hold The Dream 2 Waiting For An Angel To Call 3 Easy With The Heartaches 4 It Was There All The Time 5 They’ll Never Find Us (Running For Our Lives) 6 I Will Come Runnin’ 7 The Last Time 8 Dancing on Water 9 Mona Lisa Smile* 10 It’s All Over Your Face (It’s All Over)* 11 I Don’t Wanna Fight*
A mere 6 months after Peter Goalby’s surprise solo debut album, decades after he retired from the business, a sequel has arrived! Easy With The Heartaches came out last November 2021, and the quality of the songs, recording, and Peter’s vocal performances were a long awaited (and overdue) treat to fans who’ve wondered where and why he disappeared years ago. Heck that album only made many wonder even more why he went away with so many great songs yet to see the light of day! Now, there is a ‘part 2’ to his long lost solo recordings – I Will Come Runnin’, featuring the same cast – Paul Hodson and Eddy Morton, as well as Robin George on 2 tracks. Safe to say if you enjoyed the first release – you will love this as well. The song quality and performances are as good as Easy With The Heartaches, being from the same period and recording sessions. The difference being that overall I think I Will Come Runnin’ is a bit more in the softer AOR realm, with a few less ‘punchy’ tracks than it’s predecessor. “Hold The Dream” may still be my favorite of either of these releases, but there’s some damn great tunes here, with early favorites being “Somebody’s Fool” and “Waiting For An Angel To Call”. The title track leads off this disc (as with the first one), and it’s a good positive lighter aor pop-rock tune, but like most, what makes Peter’s songs so good is the catchy and memorable choruses, I also think Eddy Morton’s guitar break here gives the song a nice lift.
Lots of potential here for ‘hits’ had this come out in another era – “Dancing On Water” (co-written with Robin George), “It Was There All The Time”, “Perfect Strangers” (one of the excellent ballads here), “There’s Always A Place In My Heart”…. Robin George also co-wrote the rockier “Rock N Roll Crazy” – this one is a bit different, sounding like it would’ve fit nicely on one of George’s ’80s releases, or on Heep’s Equator (ala “Party Time”) . The last track here is the last track Peter recorded – “A Little Piece Of Heaven”, and judging from the lyrics (especially the opening lines), I would think he was already planning on getting out of making music – “Saved up all my rainbows, cashed in all my yesterdays / Changing my direction, giving all my things away / It’s time to make a new start, “ It is one of the best ballads Peter ever wrote and sang, but marks the end of his musical career, so it’s a bit sad in that case. Paul Hodson does a superb job on this one as well, and Eddy Morton delivers a cool short guitar break (sounds )a bit country. This is The Big ‘hit’ off this album, IMO.
I Will Come Runnin’ likely marks the end of Peter Goalby’s ‘archived’ material that we’ll see a proper release of. I don’t believe there is that much in the way of good material / recordings left that could or would possibly be released in the future. So, enjoy this and Easy With The Heartaches as much as you can. They are both fantastic CDs of songs we are fortunate to get to have. Decades after leaving the business Peter can now add “successful solo artist” to his legacy, besides just “former lead singer of _____” .
*CD cover art designed by Mike Inns (who also did Easy With The Heartaches), and who’s done album covers and art for numerous acts, including Collins / Shaw, Asia, John Wetton, Alan Simon and Focus, among others.https://www.discogs.com/artist/2879524-Michael-Inns
A rare configuration of this band, which played 3 nights for a charity [see my recent interview with Robin George]. This recording comes from the 2nd night at The Marquee. It is an impressive set of Asia favorites, mixed in with a few of Robin’s solo hits, a track from the Wetton/Manzanera album, a Beatles’ cover, solos from Don Airey (is there a band this guy hasn’t played with?) and Carl Palmer, plus 2 studio tracks! The sound quality is OK [not superb], recorded on video cam and the desk (according to Robin). But this should appeal to Asia and Wetton fans, as a rare and historical set, and I’ve heard much worse! And judging from the crowd and John’s performance and intros between songs, it must’ve been a good evening. This show has been bootlegged previously, from different sources, [curious about the absence of a few songs here (!?)] *Studio track “Wasted Time” features John and Robin, while “Johnny” is a solo track from Robin – “Johnny was written for all the friends I’ve loved and lost, but inspired by a real close friend!” A nice add for John Wetton and Asia fans.
British guitarist / songwriter Robin George may be better known to many for his vast list of big name collaborations, but his output as a solo artist is often overlooked, and over the global pandemic he’s been busy adding to his solo discography with a number of new albums, remastered and reworked recordings, and a few surprises. One of his latest is Wilderness, (which I’ve written about previously), and here Robin answers my questions (and tosses in some press feedback) about all his new releases as well as his influences, and what we can look forward to hearing in the near future. *For more info and ordering of Robin’s new releases go to http://www.robingeorge.co.uk
The last time we spoke was around the time of the Byron Band release. You’ve been very busy since then, and in particular since the release of History in 2014. Since then there’s been plenty of releases. Can you start with the History release and your working relationship with Angel Air Records?
HISTORY MUSICIANS DAVE HOLLAND, PINO PALLADINO, PHIL LYNOTT, MEL COLLINS, MARK STANWAY, MO BIRCH, TERRY ROWLEY, DANIEL BOONE, PETE WRIGHT, ROBIN GEORGE.
Words From the much-missed Malcolm Dome:
As you’ll hear on the ‘History’ album, Robin George clearly deserves such accolades and plaudits, because the quality and individuality of the music here is simply remarkable. More so, as the tracks here, remastered as one would expect, have been left as they were at the time and represent a fulfilling exercise in the combination of power, song writing and intelligence. What this album underlines is how creative he was even in his formative years.
There are clearly some hidden gems . For instance, you’ll get to hear the original version of ‘Heartline’ a single through Bronze Records in April 1985. If you want to appreciate every nuance and aspect of what makes this a truly great pop rock song, then this is the prime representation.
History is not a nostalgia trip. It’s a lesson in music for everyone.
Angel Air was an unusual deal, a partnership really, 50%50, which was unheard of, but as all musos know there is no real music industry anymore, the internet has put paid to that!
I wanted my music to be heard somehow so I signed to them. They released 7 of my albums, and my loyal friends and followers seemed to like them!
I have to say as a label the packaging/Artwork was very good indeed, and the valid re-releases, of course. They were honest which is rare these days; they always settle their debts. So, it did work in a strange but true way… Angel Air kept my name out there to the faithfuls amongst you. Thanks chaps!
Dangerous Music 2 came out. That is a collection of songs that you’d originally hoped to be the sequel to your debut album in 1984!? Can you tell me a bit about this album – where the tracks come from and who’s all on it?
Dangerous Music 2 was going to be the follow up to DM, produced with Gus Dudgeon at the fab Manor Studio, owned by R Branson, who popped in occasionally while driving his kid around to get him to sleep? Then recording continued at Maison Rouge Studio in London for backing vocals etc.
I remember I was adding guitar to my track ‘Streetwise’ when Quo burst in performing their famed guitar dance. Later I went into the pool room for a chat to find Rick & Francis gently lifting Bonnie of The Pointer Sisters, who was with me, off the pool table and placing her on a sofa… without waking her. Gentlemen indeed!
Dave Holland started the sessions as the drummer, but his commitment to Judas Priest meant he had to bail out.
Charlie has played on my last 7 albums, he is the best melodic rock drummer I ‘ve had the honor and pleasure of knowing and working with… he brings my songs to life, no less!
The superb Pino Paladino was playing bass, no way to be his talent could be wasted, so I prog’d a drum machine as a stop gap. Then Gus called in Elton’s drummer the fantastic Charlie Morgan, and the rest is history.
Adrian Lee played keys and was a big influence on the sound of the trax. Chris Thompson Daniel Boone and 3 girls sang backing vocals: Bonnie Pointer, the singer from a major power ad back then and a great session singer… I joined in with the girls of course! The master recording of them was lost somehow which is why I don’t remember all their names. Sorry, girls. So, I never heard them again, but they are always fab in my memory!!
Rogue Angels was issued in 2018, and if I’m correct – your first solo album of new material in 10 years[?] Now, this album was just you and Charlie Morgan[?]
I think Steven Reid’s words say it all! Better than I could! :
Angel Air Music [Release date 18.05.18] George, Robin: Rogue Angels
Recent times have seen Robin George both reappraise his incredible back catalogue and release an impressive stream of new albums. Rogue Angels is his latest set of fresh recordings and for a man long known for high profile collaborations (Robert Plant, Phil Lynott, Glenn Hughes etc), there’s a certain irony that this almost purely solo effort is undoubtedly one of his best. Having worked together regularly throughout their careers, drummer Charlie Morgan is once again the man behind Robin’s beat, the kind of telepathic bond that only time can build hugely benefiting a set of songs that positively burst with vim and vigour. With Robin handling everything else, the cohesive and ‘band’ nature of Rogue Angels really has to be experienced to be fully appreciated; the fire that burns bright from the very second “Wild Eyed Beauty Queen” comes into being completely knocking you sideways with the pure energy it possesses.
That Robin is arguably best known for bothering the charts in the 80s, and his ability to write songs that show other artists at their best, it’s often forgotten that he’s a heck of a guitarist, and with his foot thoroughly stamped on the distortion pedal, the irresistible little guitar runs that add colour and intrigue to “Dangerous Daisy” and the album’s title track (which, if I’m not mistaken, cleverly nods towards George’s biggest hit, “Heartline”) instantly snag the ear and won’t let go. A second look over the shoulder arrives in the shape of “Go Down Fighting 2018”, Robin’s debut single given a meaty reworking here and thriving in this updated form. Throughout, Robin refers lyrically to his long held ethos of LovePower & Peace, the theme of love conquering all and having the power to bring about peace, if we’d only let it, revisited numerous times across these songs and lending them an uplifting quality in the process. Something which comes across again and again in the crafted layers that are used to accentuate the insistent vocals. However, when you feel the obvious love and joy that the likes of “Dancing Shoes Again”, “Rush” and “Surreal Dream” have all been created with, then the same ethos also comes across in the hook laden music and, dare I say it, some of the best guitar solos Robin has ever pulled from his fretboard.
Over a vast and varied career Robin George has created a hugely eclectic body of work, but with the hard rocking, blues edged energy of Rogue Angels it really feels like this singer, guitarist and songwriter is making music that completely satisfies his creative need. Surely it’s no coincidence that it also comes across as one of the most impressive albums he’s put his name to.
With Rogue Angels and Wilderness [and going forward] what’s changed in your approach to writing and recording over the years? Listening to these albums, there’s lots of great guitar, groove, rock, a bit of funk, blues…
Even some soul with Ruby Turner! I was writing solo songs from around 14 for bands I formed, then later started co-writing with guys and gals I was producing. David Byron, Phil Lynott, John Wetton, Robert Plant, Ruby Turner, Marshall Law, Vix Fuzzbox, Pete Haycock, Pete Goalby and many more. I really enjoyed all those collaborations, but now, I write solo again, suits me these days.
Re-recording, I followed technology at it’s best, then went back to real talented musicians… far more satisfying and much more fun and inspiration.
Can you talk a bit about some of your early influences as a guitar player and what’s sort of influenced your sound and style to where you are today?
Peter Green, Johnny Winter, all old blues players, Clapton with the Beatles, Gary Moore, Neil Schon, Joe Walsh et al were all great for me. Since my early days I don’t listen to much music, if I wanna hear some I make it 😉 What comes out is how I play today, using my Marshall combo amp & BC Rich, and Washburn, Suzuki and Yamaha acoustic guitars.
On Wilderness there seems to be a lot of poetry and storytelling. Can you tell me a bit about what inspires your lyrics – where ideas come from ?
Thanks for noticing, I am being named a ‘Rock Poet’ which is gratifying indeed!
I really care about my lyrics and the messages I share with my friends.
Inspiration arrives out of the blue then I have a vast bunch of words which I slice away at until they resemble a song, Then I improve on what I have until it is a song… then I record it.
My inspiration is mostly from real life, I can hear a phrase or line in conversation that sparks an idea which lights a fire in me.
I don’t know how I do it, but I’m truly grateful for the gift of creativity.
You have a fairly unique vocal sound / style, and the only way I can describe it is sort of like Marc Bolan, fairly quieter , but not really soft. Can you tell me a bit about your vocal approach or influences?
I never wanted to be a singer, I was a guitar player who sang a bit, but over the years I found only I could sing most of what I wrote, the way I heard it, so here I am, a song writing guitar player who sings a bit.
I have no real influences. The singers I admired were in a different league from me which I could never aspire to. Again, how I sound is what comes out.
I do think Marc was a great pop star though. I was asked to be Bolan 2 if I’d write more poppy songs, but not for me! He was a one off.
During the pandemic you’ve recorded 4 new albums, starting with Wilderness – can you give me a few lines on each of these releases – what each is about, in which order they were done, when did you come up with the ideas, and who else played on them?
Robin has used Rockdown to nurture and finish some fantastic music, all of which is now available from Damage Control Music in Robin’s Online Store @ www.robingeorge.co.uk, and includes contributions from no less than Phil Lynott, John Wetton, Robert Plant, Sean Harris, Ruby Turner, David Byron, Glenn Hughes, Vix Fuzzbox, Pete Goalby & Pete Haycock to name just a few, Artist credits are also on site.
Robin says,
‘I’ve just remastered the Charity album LovePower and Peace that escaped about ten years ago; It’s now called RockinG LovePower with many new tracks, including a Rock Bangra Flamenco track with the major Bollywood star vocalist Mangel Singh! All Re-mastered & 2021 mixes.
I’m calling it a ‘sharing’ album because… My idea is that we retail at our cost price (£5), then y’all who buy choose to support the causes closest to your hearts.
This is freedom of helping. I hope it works, If you can’t donate now, enjoy the music from these awesome musicians ‘till you can my friends. Then do please donate… every penny counts!’
Robin George should certainly be garnering applause as the musician who made the most of lockdown (by some long, album issuing way).
Hot on the heels of earlier 2021 releases Wilderness and Heartlines come the dovetailing pairing of Feed the Wolf and Surreal Six String; the former is the latest full length studio album from Robin George while the latter is his first fully instrumental offering (much as Heartlines was his first all acoustic release).
That his distinct and individualistic Dangerous Music sound and style is still alive and well is evident from tracks such as opener ‘Momma Sister Daughter’ (Bolan vocality meets guitaredged Robin George rock and roll), the muscly and, again, Bolan-esque (an oft-cited and valid comparison) title track and ‘Savage Song,’ a gritty, fast-paced number on which Mr George isn’t exactly hanging about.
‘Savage Song’ also highlights a major Robin George trait, that of reinventing & rerecording some of his older songs to suit his current state of musical mind (some may recall ‘Savage Song’ as a highlight of Damage Control, a supergroup of sorts featuring George, raspythroated Quireboys front man Spike, Chris Slade and the late Pete Way).
Other Feed The Wolf highlights include ‘Funky Rock Groove’ (which does exactly what it says on the tin), the bluesy sway of ‘Love is Blind’ (featuring some tasty guitar licks from Robin George), the edgy but melodic ‘Castles in the Sky’ (whose origins go back to the History of the Wolverhampton born musician) and the quirkier ‘Painful Kiss,’ originally from the album of the same name.
The album ends on the similarly quirky and very catchy ‘Early Daze,’ a looking-back and ‘If I knew then’ styled nod to more carefree and innocent times (a shorter acoustic version also sits on Heartlines).
Surreal Six String is a collection of primarily reworked numbers from across Robin George’s career and catalogue, instrumental-ised with the lyric-melody line played on guitar in effective and, on some of the tracks, quite expressive style.
Opener ‘Go Down Fighting’ was Robin George’s first major single release in 1983 but here is based on his later rocked up version; it therefore works well as a feisty instrumental.
It’s also nice to see a place for the atmospheric, tempo shifting instrumental ‘Charlotte Starlight,’ which goes back to the History album, and ‘Love Power & Peace’ (featuring Hammond fills from the late Ken Hensley and melodic guitar play from Robin George) from the all-star charity album of that name.
You’ll also find instrumental versions of Wolf numbers ‘Painful Kiss’ and ‘Love is Blind’ as well as re-workings of the more rock and roll styled ‘Dancing Shoes’ (from the Rogue Angels album) and a shorter take of the blues swaggering ‘Freedom,’ from last year’s BitterSweet HeartBeat album.
Other highlights include ‘Brandy Bottle Blues’ (another with a self-explanatory title), which features a couple of bars of blues blasting sax from Mel Collins, and album closer ‘Oxygen.’ Originally a love song, ‘Oxygen’ works equally well as an expressive guitar workout in instrumental clothing.
So another brace of 2021 releases from a man who clearly wasn’t twiddling thumbs during lockdown/s.
Further proof of that ever-busy schedule?
Robin George has also released a fully remastered version of the Asia 2 Marquee gig from
1986 (of which he was an integral part), a Robin George & Dangerous Music Euro Tour Live CD, a RoxStar Legends compilation and a remastered retooling of the Love Power & Peace album as Rocking LovePower.
He is now looking at reissuing some Damage Control music and achieving an official release for the album he recorded with Glenn Hughes in 1989 (previously issued under decidedly dodgy and awful audio quality circumstances).
No wonder he lives in Spain – he clearly needs, and deserves, the siestas.
Ross Muir , FabricationsHQ
Feed The Wolf & Surreal Six String, along with all other aforementioned releases, can be purchased on CD direct from the artist’s website: http://www.robingeorge.co.uk/
You also issued 4 CDs of remasters and edits…. [again] can you tell me a bit about each of these?
Early in Rockdown I realized the vaults contained some pure gold music with fantastic musicians and I thought, now’s the opportune time to get to work on them. So I did! All fascinating to work on but bittersweet at times because they were all my friends and I loved all. I know they all recorded with me because they wanted people to hear our music… and that’s the sweet part.
You also have a Live Asia release that you were on. Can you recall that show and how it came about and how well you got on with John, Geoff, Carl… Phil Manzanera was on that as well….
The gigs were for Nordoff Robbin, a charity close to John’s heart. They were a great group of guys. All well cool and in the groove. We got on great which I think shows in the Asia 2 Marquee gig video. John and I were introduced by Bryan Lane, Asia manager, and we hit it off straight away. John took me to his house and amazingly for me, had my single ‘Go Down Fighting’ on his deck… and he played it! John had rented a country house for the summer, and we spent lots of quality time writing, talking, practising, and planning for the gigs. We did 3 nights, JB’s Dudley and 2 at the Marquee London. Great nights indeed! John asked me to join Asia but previous commitments prevented me. Wrong timing or what!
Later he came to my Wolves studio and we recorded ‘Wasted Time’ which features on both
‘Roxstar Legends and RockinG LovePower’… far too good a track to waste! Plus, last time I spoke to John, he said he loved it, so it’s gotta be heard!
So, aside from promoting all these new releases, what else do you have in the works or things you’d like to do down the road?
A bit of time off I hope 😉. I’m writing new songs at the moment, so, ‘Only Time Will Tell’!
Any projects involving people you’ve collaborated in the past still in the vaults?
Yep, the Glenn Hughes album ‘ Sweet Revenge’ is being remastered for the near future. It was bootlegged at appalling quality, don’t buy it; this is the real thing my friends!
Released early this year, Wilderness was the first album recorded as the world went in to the Co-vid pandemic, and Robin would follow it up with 3 more albums since! He’s also edited and remastered 4 other releases during this time, so the man has been very busy! (All 8 releases available at his website). But going back a bit, British guitarist / songwriter / producer Robin George spent much of his career being more known for the names he had collaborated with early in his career – David Byron, Phil Lynott, Robert Plant, Glenn Hughes, Roy Wood,….. plus he had a huge hit in the 80s with “Heartline” from his 1984 debut album Dangerous Music. He remained busy, but his next solo album wasn’t until 2001’s Rock Of Ageist. Wilderness is the follow up to 2018 album Rogue Angels, and it’s a good rock album, with lots of great guitar work & mixes, lots of blues and groove throughout this album. There’s a great feel to the songs via Robin’s playing and the drumming of the legendary Charlie Morgan [Elton John] . For me the album starts out rockin’ with “Eyeball Kid”, and just gets better, with favorite tracks like “Deadwood”, “Freedom”, the title track, and “Belief”. Love the heavy riff that intros the outstanding “Cocoon”, as well. Robin’s vocals are kinda in that Marc Bolan style, which suits his songs, and there’s plenty of smooth backing vocals which add to the overall atmosphere, especially on the acoustic based tracks “Belief”, “Bittersweet Heartbeat” and “Rainbow Ridge”. Lots of stories told throughout these songs, with Robin being a poet and storyteller. Am looking forward to hearing more of his ‘rockdown’ albums that followed this.
*Wilderness comes with a 12 page booklet of poetry and words.
Outsider Rock 