by Guest » 18 Aug 2004, 17:39
The Roberts - Lineup -
Rhythm section
Robert Wyatt - Drums. Wyatt was formerly drummer with Soft Machine. A confident improviser, his style contrasts well with -
Robbie Dunbar - Bass. Dunbar is best known as half of Sly and Robbie, the Jamaican rhythm section/production team that has been behind dozens of hit records. His precise style provided an effective foil for Grace Jones in the 1980s, and meshes well with -
Guitars
Robert Fripp - Rhythm guitar. Fripp made his name with King Crimson and Van Der Graaf Generator. He is a frequent collaborator with a wide range of musicians - David Sylvian, Andy Summers, Brian Eno, The Roches, Peter Gabriel, Toyah, Daryl Hall... He has a tightly looped, metronomic style, which provides a fine backdrop for -
Robert Smith - Lead Guitar. Smith is perhaps an eccentric choice, best known for vocals with his own band, The Cure. But he was also guitarist with Siouxsie and the Banshees. An aggressive, gothic style, which suits -
Vocals
Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues Singers. Seventy years dead, and still speaking to us from beyond the grave. Johnson's insistent vocal style dominates the band.
The Roberts' debut long player, "Hellhound on my tail", fuses New Orleans blues with gothic ambience to create a unique and terrifying sound. Recorded live in front of an invited audience at the West Runton Pavilion, the most gripping aspect of the recording is the interplay between the band members. Tension between Wyatt and Fripp is particularly evident on their cover version of "Baby One More Time", with Fripp on guitar noticeably attempting to reign-in Wyatt's exuberance on drums.
A live tour is planned, possibly with a different drummer. Rumours that Maureen Tucker (ex Velvet Underground) is changing her name to Bobbi have been strenuously denied.