Renegade Creation in Singapore - Oct 14-15

[edgie]

I'll finally get to see two of my favorite guitar players, Mike Landau and Robben Ford at the TAB bar here in Singapore. I've been wishing for the longest time to see a live show of theirs, specially Mike after 2006's 2-CD live album. I just don't tire of listening to it. And of course, I love the killer rhythm section of Gary Novak and Jimmy Haslip too.:bow:bow:bow

I must admit up to now, I still haven't totally dug the RC album as I tend to look for a heavier, rawer and looser kind of playing found on the MLG live disc and I'm a live album kind of guy(vs. studio) when it comes to blues-rock. But I listen to it everyday since last week to psyche me up for the show(I'll attend on oct 15, Saturday) and now the tunes are really starting to sink in. I know that come show time, the live experience will make me appreciate the songs more. So just in case some of you fellow fans who are vacationing in Singapore or are living here but unaware of the gig(not much publicity on it), here's a chance to catch them.

[fusion58]

I'll finally get to see two of my favorite guitar players, Mike Landau and Robben Ford at the TAB bar here in Singapore. I've been wishing for the longest time to see a live show of theirs, specially Mike after 2006's 2-CD live album. I just don't tire of listening to it. And of course, I love killer the killer rhythm section of Gary Novak and Jimmy Haslip.:bow:bow:bow

I must admit up to now, I still haven't totally dug the RC album as I tend to look for a heavier, rawer and looser kind of playing found on the MLG live disc and I'm a live album kind of guy(vs. studio) when it comes to blues-rock. But I listen to it everyday since last week to psyche me up for the show(I'll attend on oct 15, Saturday) and now the tunes are really starting to sink in. I know that come show time, the live experience will make me appreciate the songs more. So just in case some of you fellow fans who are vacationing in Singapore or are living here but unaware of the gig(not much publicity on it), here's a chance to catch them.

Lucky you!

I have a feeling once you hear the group live, you'll forget any reservations you had about the CD.

Enjoy, and don't forget to break a brutha off a review!

[Mark Barratt]

I saw them in Brisbane last Sunday and they were on top form.
--- And the Renegade Creation material came across much better Live too.
I went back and listened to the album again with a whole different perspective.
I had seen Robben Ford Live in the past but this was the best I have seen him.
Michael Landau, who I have been a fan of for ages, and also have most of his stuff but had never seen him Live was absolutely fantastic.
So glad I finally got to see him.
I hope Landau does a club tour out this way again with his trio if possible.
Novac and Haslip played with great flair and groove too.

[edgie]

I saw them in Brisbane last Sunday and they were on top form.
--- And the Renegade Creation material came across much better Live too.
I went back and listened to the album again with a whole different perspective.
I had seen Robben Ford Live in the past but this was the best I have seen him.
Michael Landau, who I have been a fan of for ages, and also have most of his stuff but had never seen him Live was absolutely fantastic.
So glad I finally got to see him.
I hope Landau does a club tour out this way again with his trio if possible.
Novac and Haslip played with great flair and groove too.

Oh man, now I'm really excited to watch them tomorrow! I'm thinking of having my Couch Racer X black with red strap signed by both guys. And of course, my RC, RF and MLG CDs.:D

[edgie]

Ok, here's some gig report:
As expected, the whole Renegade Creation band treated us to one mind-blowing performance. Everyone is on their A-game and it's obvious that the band has gelled well together that to a new listener, they might think they're seeing an old band that's been playing for years. The rhythm section consisting of Jimmy Haslip and Gary Novak is the perfect foil for Robben and Mike's playing. This supergroup definitely has an "organic" chemisty.
I love the balanced mix and the nice acoustics of the bar. At times, Robben will sound a bit louder than Mike but that could be because we are sitting in front of him so we get to hear his stage volume directly. Jimmy's bass tone is so clear and articulate while Gary's drums volume was perfectly mixed.
The duration of the show is a little less than 1 1/2 hours inlcuding two encores. I managed to record the whole show's audio in my Zoom Q3HD but here's the stinker: I set the mic gain on high which is actually for field recording so it's clipping instead of using low gain which is for concert performances.:wallbash: I'm not a fan of taking videos during concerts so I just set the recorder on the table(venue allows it) and that's it. Fortunately, this is one concert where there's not a single stupid person holding up their damn Iphones up to take vids. Didn't expect that would happen in year 2012 but hey, this indeed is a great night! Lucky me!
For those who are curious about their gear: I'm sorry I didn't get to take photos of their boards( again :wallbash:) as we are busy with the autograph signing while their techs are wrapping up the set but I managed to see some of Mike's after the signing and during performance. Vertex Effects-modded DL4, VE-modded Arion sch-1, VE-modded Boss Volume Pedal, TC Electronics HOF. Sorry didn't get to see his drive pedals.
Mike's using two Fender Devilles while Robben is using a Fender Super Reverb and a Twin Reverb.
For guitars, Robben used a Gibson goldtop with mini humbuckers(please fill me in on this one) and his '60 Telecaster while Mike used what seem to be his '68 strat.
Between the two guitarists, there's no such thing as who's the better guitarist although comparisons will be quite inevitable. Their playing is very complimentary of each other's showing that these two guys are not into headcutting and each part serves the song. But for comparison's sake: I'd say that Mike played the ferocious and snarling slippery fusion lines with a bluesy swagger while Robben mostly played in blues/jazz vein mixed with soul lines. I was literally at the edge of my seat watching them trade licks enjoying those goosebumps-inducing solos. The rhythm playing and dynamics are something to behold as well. I wasn't a big fan of Robben's voice before but after this show, I've come to appreciate it.
If there's one thing I really regret, it's that I only watched one night of their 2-night shows. I also managed to speak a bit with Mike. I asked him when will the new instrumental CD of his be released. He said most likely this December. So far he said he's happy on how it's turning out. So watch out for that guys!

[Desperado]

Any pictures of the rig?

[edgie]

Sorry, I was also looking forward to have their pedalboards pictures taken but as I've said the techs kept them quite too early after the show. And one more thing is that the stage have this really intense blue light when the performers are off-stage so pics of the pedals may not be so clear anyway. I was able to take some snapshots of the amps only.

Btw, I know that some of Mike's current pedals were modded by you. Would you care to give us a rundown of what they are and what mods?