CIRCUS
March, 1982
Album Review By John Swenson
Jack Bruce / Robin Trower - Truce
Wild things were happening in 1967. First, Fresh Cream redefined dynamics in rock and roll with the loudest, cleanest guitar sounds yet recorded, and bassist Jack Bruce had a totally unique approach to harmonics and structure. Bruce was also the lead vocalist, and in live performance it was apparent how much of the band's weight he carried , even in light of Eric Clapton's presence.
Then there was Procol Harum, a keyboards- based outfit whose classically trained organist had recast Bach in a rock format for the great single " Whiter Shade Of Pale." The live sets featured the mighty guitar playing of one Robin Trower who eventually left to front a power trio whose style paid homage to Jimi Hendrix.
Bruce and Trower sounded terrific together on their first outing B.L.T., but Truce has all the marks of a collaboration in full maturity. Bruce and Trower are perfect compliments to each others strengths, and the current line-up, which unites Trower with Reg Isidore, the powerhouse drummer from his first album, makes this one of the best power trios in rock history.
The match is especially interesting in that it pits Bruce's advanced bass concepts against a guitar style that Trower has developed to it's highest level. But Truce works not just because of playing concept; both Trower and Bruce have long-term lyricist sidekicks in Keith Reid and Peter Brown respectively, and while B.L.T. concentrated on Trower /Reid compositions, this time around the Bruce/Brown team carries it's share of the load. So a Trower/Reid song like "Gonna Shut You Down," with it's straightforward funk and Hendrix-style solo spot, is balanced against the Cream-like Bruce/Brown fantasies of "Thin Ice" and the fantastic "Shadows Touching." "Last Train To The Stars" combines Brown's lyrics with both Trower and Bruce's musical ideas, and the thunderous results are the best on the album.
