Photos by Andy Argyrakis

There was a banner outside the Copernicus Center that read “Robin Trower: The Man. The Guitar. The Legend. One Night Only” and that pretty much summed up why the meticulously restored theatre was so crowded. The former axe-slinger for Procol Harum (who’s been solo ever since the front of the 1970s) earned his following ages ago, but just because he’s 73 doesn’t mean the need to create at an optimal level has slowed down a shred.

“Confessing Midnight” made for a much shorter but no less snarling aftermath, “Daydream” returned to Robin Trower’s simmering side to comparably spellbinding results, while “Little Bit Of Sympathy” was a fire-starter to the most furious degree.

In fact, the prolific player who’s also logged collaborative time with Roxy Music’s Bryan Ferry and Cream’s Jack Bruce continues touring behind last year’s “Time And Emotion,” which marks his ninth studio project in the 2000s alone! While there was some emphasis on the current collection, the bulk of Trower’s set was unsurprisingly taken from his 1974 breakthrough “Bridge Of Sighs,” starting right in with the sweltering “Too Rolling Stoned.”

Along with bassist/vocalist Richard Watts and drummer Chris Taggart, the expressive guitarist/part-time singer kept right on storming through “Lady Love,” “Returned In Kind,” “Not Inside-Outside” and “Somebody Calling.” The new “Make Up Your Mind” served up some slow-burning British blues and “Day Of The Eagle” delivered an especially blazing solo before morphing into an extended “Bridge Of Sighs” (met by an instant standing ovation).

“Confessing Midnight” made for a much shorter but no less snarling aftermath, “Daydream” returned to Trower’s simmering side to comparably spellbinding results, while “Little Bit Of Sympathy” was a fire-starter to the most furious degree. An encore of “Rise Up Like The Sun” and “For Earth Below” allowed for another double-shot of expert playing that typified why those in the know keep coming back for more.

Click here for more photos of Robin Trower at the Copernicus Center.

For additional information on Robin Trower, visit TrowerPower.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Copernicus Center include the Alan Parsons Live Project (Jun. 5) and The Monkees Present The Mike Nesmith & Micky Dolenz Show (Jun. 14). For additional details, visit CopernicusCenter.org and Facebook.com/OneElevenProductionsChicago/.

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