Today, possessing a résumé that includes stints with an impressively broad range of other musical personalities—Miles Davis, George Harrison, Little Feat, and the Yellowjackets, among many others—Ford has demonstrated an uncanny adaptability similar to that of the MG’s and the Muscle Shoals group. The guitarist has effortlessly traversed genres without compromising his exquisite, blues-based playing and singing. So it’s only natural that on his latest album, Keep On Running (CCD-2187), Ford tips his hat to Muscle Shoals and the MG’s, offering fresh takes on soul classics, in addition to serving up several glowing originals.
Keep On Running boasts a core group of heavyweight players—bassist Jimmy Earl and drummers Toss Panos and Steve Potts. Ford couldn’t be happier with his co-conspirators. Of the low-end, he raves, “Jimmy’s just about my favorite bassist in the world. He has a great feel, and he and I see eye-to-eye in terms of time; Jimmy is so comfortable to play with.” Ford is similarly praiseful of his percussionists: “Steve plays so beautifully. He can do rhythm ’n’ blues in such an authentic way, while at the same time sounding incredibly fresh. And I’ve played with Toss on the road for a couple of years now; I’ve really benefited from his unique feel.”
Among other instrumentalists, Ford expanded the core group with a battery of keyboard players. But after the recording was completed, Ford, a relentless perfectionist, found that their sounds were incongruous. He explains, “At a certain point, I thought, ‘What’s wrong with this picture?’ It turned out I just didn’t want to hear the [Hammond] B3 [organ].” So Ford, himself a diligent multi-instrumentalist, redid most of the keyboard parts, using the more appropriate-sounding Wurlitzer electric piano.
Ford’s journey throughout this CD, his second for Concord Records, covers many musical miles. Starting things off, the title track is a fresh though faithful cover of the Spencer Davis Group classic, which captured a then 17-year-old Steve Winwood on vocals. Joining the core cast here are Bob Malach on tenor sax and Edgar Winter on baritone; Ford expertly handles the guitar, vocal, and keyboard parts. “I really dug this record when I was growing up,” says Ford. “I’d been wanting to hear it again, but it only recently became available on CD. My producer [John Wooler] also had this song in mind. We worked up an arrangement at rehearsal recorded it.”
“Over My Head” showcases Ford’s organic, breezy compositional style in a song dealing with the oldest of subjects: man chases woman, followed by heavy infatuation. Here, his smooth, blues guitar screams and moans in a perfect extension of the song’s soulful vocals. “‘Over My Head’ came from a casual guitar riff that I found myself playing one day,” says Ford. “The words tumbled out quite naturally. The riff seemed to suggest something many men go through as one point, or many times—meeting a woman you know is dangerous but find completely irresistible.”
Ford was at first uncertain about “Can’t Do My Homework,” originally recorded by Otis Rush. The guitarist says, “We played the song, but it has such a camp lyric. It felt so good, though, and was so much fun to play, that we just had to use it.” And it is such an enjoyable listen, too. Showcased here are Ford’s gorgeous guitar tones and sharp, playful improvisations, which never stray too far from Rush’s original version.
On “Badge” (written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison, and recorded by Cream), Ford offers another respectful cover, his smooth vocals backed by those of Siedah Garret (the singer also appears on “Bonnie”), and his creamy guitar tone recalling that of Clapton, while retaining Ford’s own unmistakable imprint. “I’ve always loved the first Cream album, which is brilliant,” says Ford. “Recording ‘Badge’ was John Wooler’s idea. I’m glad he suggested it; the song so was nice to use as a touchstone, since I had worked with Harrison, and he had recently passed away. You can really hear his influence in there, as well as Clapton’s.”
“Peace Love & Understanding” finds Ford using R&B to smooth out a more rocking version recorded previously by Elvis Costello. On this outstanding song, Ford duets with the legendary Mavis Staples (who, incidentally, began her recording career at Stax/Volt in 1969, backed by the MG’s) commenting on the difficult times as of late. Ford explains, “I have to say that I didn’t grow up listening to Elvis Costello. But this song presented a great opportunity: I don’t like what’s going on in the world right now, and “Peace Love & Understanding” expresses a beautiful sentiment.
A smart blues instrumental, “Cannonball Shuffle” was written by Ford for Freddie King. The composition showcases Ford’s gutsy though refined playing, in addition to some fine soloing from Malach. Ford says, “While planning this album, Wooler and I were talking a lot about Freddie King. As a youngster, I’d never gotten next to him, but now that I’ve taken the time to get inside his style, I modeled ‘Cannonball Shuffle’ after tunes like ‘Hideaway’ and ‘The Stumble.’”
The album’s second half—“Me and My Woman,” “Bonnie,” “Lifetime Thing,” “For the Love of Money,” and “Hand in Hand With the Blues”—maintains a similar vibe. It’s at once old-school and, thanks to Ford’s outstandingly fresh playing, contemporary. Ford says, “This is the music I grew up with, when things were more carefree. For me, the album is full of nostalgia. I think we could all use some of that kind of feeling today.”
Top Of The Hill
Robben Ford & The Blue Line Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll never buy it 'cause I've learned your ways
Come hook or crook you're gonna make it rich
You're gonna scratch it if you got the itch
And the people will know your name
And they'll do your will
At the top of your game
Your the man, the man on top of the hill
Your gonna sell me, on your best intent
I know your really after fortune and fame
And greed is greed by any other name
You'll get what you want I know
And have time to kill
And every place you go
Your the man, the man on top of the hill
You've got ambition, a strong ambition
Your on a mission to be number one
What ever it takes to get what you deserve
No one can stand against that kind of nerve
And after they've nailed you in
They'll remember you still, the one who just had to win
He's the man, the man on top of the hill
Your the man, way up on top of the hill
The lyrics of Top Of The Hill by Robben Ford & The Blue Line explain the persona of a person who is ambitious and will do anything to achieve their goals, even if it means compromising their values. The persona seems to be aware of who the subject is, and does not fall for the facade that the subject is putting up, as they know the true intentions of the subject. The persona acknowledges that the subject is driven by greed, and that he is using flowery language to entice them to join his cause. The lyrics suggest that the subject is cunning and ruthless and expects to be remembered for his accomplishments even after he is gone.
The song is a reflection of the music industry and how people in power manipulate the system to gain fortune and fame. The lyrics serve as a warning for aspiring artists and encourage them to stay true to their values and not fall for the allure of success. The persona represents people who can see through the facade of fame and fortune and are not impressed by it.
Line by Line Meaning
No need to hide it, or to deny it,
It's pointless for you to conceal or reject the truth
I'll never buy it 'cause I've learned your ways
I won't believe you because I know your character
Come hook or crook you're gonna make it rich
You'll use any means necessary to become wealthy
You're gonna scratch it if you got the itch
You'll do whatever it takes to satisfy your desires
And the people will know your name
You'll be recognized and famous
And they'll do your will
Others will follow your lead
At the top of your game
When you're at your most successful
You're the man, the man on top of the hill
You're the most powerful and successful person around
You like to tell me, things to compel me
You enjoy persuading me with information
Your gonna sell me, on your best intent
You're going to convince me of your good intentions
I know your really after fortune and fame
I believe that you're actually motivated by money and recognition
And greed is greed by any other name
There's no other way to describe your desire for wealth
You'll get what you want I know
You'll ultimately achieve your goals
And have time to kill
You'll have leisure time once you've reached success
And every place you go
Everywhere you travel
Your the man, the man on top of the hill
You're always the most powerful and successful person present
You've got ambition, a strong ambition
You're extremely motivated and have big aspirations
Your on a mission to be number one
You're determined to be the best
What ever it takes to get what you deserve
You'll do anything necessary to achieve what you believe you're entitled to
No one can stand against that kind of nerve
It's difficult to resist such unwavering determination
And after they've nailed you in
Once you've secured your position
They'll remember you still, the one who just had to win
You'll be remembered as the person who was obsessed with winning
He's the man, the man on top of the hill
You'll always be the most powerful and successful person around
Your the man, way up on top of the hill
You're the most powerful and successful person around
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEVIN J. MCCORMICK, ROBBEN FORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind