Review: Robben Ford – Two Shades Of Blue

Provogue Records – April 17^th, 2026

Reviewer – Grant Foster

Robben Ford is a guy whose name I’d heard of, but I’d never heard any of his musical output.

Turns out he’s quite a guy. A hugely talented guitarist whether it’s blues, jazz or rock, it’s easier to tell you who he hasn’t played with in terms of his peers.

But, how does that translate in terms of his new album, ‘Two Shades of Blue‘?

Firstly, there are just eight tracks on offer. A couple weigh in at the six plus minutes, but no monster extended songs which you might think a player of his standing could stretch to.

Not that I’m a fan of overblown pomposity!

Opening track ‘Make My Own Weather‘ is a funk blues hybrid that eases you in nicely. Horns and keys accompany without being overstated. Robben’s playing is clean, fluid and soulful. He also a serviceable voice that is easy on the ear.

I honestly think the last thing anyone needs is yet another cover of ‘Jealous Guy‘, but that’s what’s on offer next. To be fair, it’s not a note for note interpretation and is all the better for it. It builds slowly, adding horns and a keyboard line that help underpin the chorus. Its dynamic should be applauded. But let this be the last cover of this song for some time, eh?!

‘Perfect Illusion‘ has hints of Blackberry Smoke to it and is more commercial than you’d expect. It’s a sure fire summer hit.

‘Black Night‘ is pure bloooooze! From the lyrical content of losing a women and how the Black Night falling, envelopes everything. The tone and control of Robben’s solo work here is quite a joy to behold. He doesn’t overplay. The secret to top notch blues.

‘Two Shades of Blue‘ is one of four instrumentals. I’m not a fan of them, but this first one is pleasant enough. Slightly jazz overtones in places but it avoids becoming too annoying. It pulls and pushes but in a very subtle way and uses the keys solo to great effect.

‘Fire Flute‘ follows and this is higher on the jazz scale unfortunately. It reminds me a little in parts of Dixie Dregs. Positively it’s not over busy at the beginning, but does get a little more so as it progresses. Let’s say it’s fine as background music.

‘The Light Fandango‘ is a shuffle with some decent interplay between organ and Robben’s echo laden blues licks.

‘Feelings Mutual‘ is a horn driven piece with atmospheric chord progressions. Albeit too jazzy for my liking and too busy to be something I’d have on repeat play. The production is crisp, clean and clear, although at times, the use of reverb is done to the maximum. The use of horns and organ throughout really expands the soundscape and is a welcome addition.

Robben Ford aficionados will lap this up. I’m filing it under highly talented but not always my cup of tea.

Tracklisting:

1. Make My Own Weather
2. Jealous Guy
3. Perfect Illusion
4. Black Night
5. Two Shades of Blue
6. Fire Flute
7. The Light Fandango
8. Feeling’s Mutual

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