Robin Trower – For Earth Below, 50th Anniversary Edition: Album Review

By John Barlass on 27th June 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Another classic Robin Trower album gets the Full Monty Chrysalis Anniversary Treatment. This time, it’s the turn of For Earth Below, Robin’s 1975 gem, to get the attention.

Release Date: 27^th June 2025

Label: Chrysalis

Formats: 4xCD / 2LP Vinyl

JOYFUL ROBIN TROWER NEWS

2025 is turning into a bumper year for Trower-ites. Just a few short weeks ago, the guitar-meister launched his new album, the majestic Come and Find Me, an offering that stopped this writer dead. A few more listens have convinced me – this is one of my Albums of the Year in waiting.

And now comes more joyful news from Camp Trower. The Chrysalis programme of 50^th Anniversary special edition reissues of Robin’s run of classic 1970s albums continues! Last year, we were treated to a deluxe version of Bridge of Sighs. This time, it’s 1975 album For Earth Below that is the focus of attention. If you’d forgotten what a magnificent album For Earth Below is, now’s the time to refresh your memory.

A MAGICAL TRIUMVERATE

For Earth Below is the third album in that magical triumvirate that launched Robin Trower’s solo career – and it also lit the fuse on his rocket trip to superstardom.

It all began with Robin’s 1974 solo debut, Twice Removed From Yesterday, the album that Robin used to set out his bill of fayre. It showcased the component parts of the Trower offering in splendid fashion: Robin’s melodic, Hendrix-influenced guitar, imaginative songwriting, the powerhouse drumming of Reg Isidore and the soulful, tuneful vocals of bassist James Dewar. And, with songs like I Can’t Wait Much Longer, Rock Me Baby and the mystical Daydream on offer, the Trower manifesto was well-and-truly written.

HEADING FOR THE TOP

Come 1974, and things got even better. Robin’s second album, Bridge Of Sighs is magnificent. It’s an album that’s generally regarded as Robin’s masterwork and that’s a view with which I heartily concur. Robin’s trio had matured impressively; his own guitar work oozed confidence and melody and his claim for the spotlight was matched by James Dewar’s peerless vocals. And the songs – Day of the Eagle, Too Rolling Stoned, The Fool And Me, Lady Love and the rest – all became, and remain, firm favourites of mine. The public lapped it all up, especially the Stateside public, and Bridge Of Sighs launched Trower & Co into the big league as the album climbed to #7 in the Billboard Chart.

The UK, as yet, hadn’t taken the bait on any noticeable scale but those of us ‘in the know’ were already enjoying our crafty nibbles and, when 3^rd album, For Earth Below, hit the racks in 1975, the secret was out and the dam collapsed. For Earth Below made it’s mark all over the world. Suddenly, Robin Trower was a star.

A BIG CHANGE AND A NEW ALBUM

The success wasn’t without its collateral damage. Disorientated by the rocket-propelled surge to fame that was initiated in the USA by Bridge of Sighs, drummer Reg Isidore quit the band. The disaster that such a momentous change could have precipitated was averted when, almost out of the blue, ex-Sly and the Family Stone drummer Bill Lordon made contact with Robin to offer his services. Things could hardly have worked out better as Bill signed on the dotted line and his funky, jazz-infused drum style is a key feature of For Earth Below.

Matthew Fisher, Robin’s former Procol Harum bandmate who had produced the first two albums, stuck around for the recording of For Earth Below and the result was an album that fully merits its place on the Trower rostrum, alongside Twice Removed… and Bridge Of Sighs.

FOR EARTH BELOW

Robin Trower has been known to remark that Bridge Of Sighs isn’t one of his favourite albums. I’m inclined to suggest (politely, of course) that such a view is tainted by over-familiarity and a creator’s knack of noticing every little blemish in an otherwise flawless product. Certainly (then) new boy Bill Lordon disagrees with Robin’s assessment – as he confirms to David Sinclair, in Sinclair’s sleevenotes to this set: “I would place For Earth Below right after Bridge Of Sighs in Robin’s catalogue,” he says – and I, for one, fully agree with him.

I’d even go so far as to suggest that Robin’s guitar playing on For Earth Below was the best that he’d so far committed to tape. His playing is controlled and insightful, whether the mood is rocky or melodic – and there’s plenty of both on For Earth Below. But, just maybe, the outstanding feature of For Earth Below is James Dewar’s vocal contribution. By this stage, he’d become what I can only describe as an operatic version of Paul Rodgers. His range, phrasing and passion are incredible and his vocals add extra vibrancy to every song.

A GREAT COLLECTION OF SONGS

And, speaking of the songs – there are some crackers on For Earth Below. In fact, it’s difficult to pick out a favourite because every song on the album has its merits. Shame the Devil is a whirlwind of an opening track, It’s Only Money is Dewar at his very best, Fine Day is a showcase for the various talents of Trower, Lordon and Dewar, Alethea and Gonna Be Suspicious became enduring favourites of Robin’s live shows and the simmering title track – the album’s closing number is Robin Trower and his band at their very peak.

REMIXES, OUTTAKES AND RARITIES

If CDs are your thing, the CD version of this package is a 4-disc set. Disc One comprises a 2025 remix of the original album mix. It’s sharp and it’s punchy and it’s the ideal replacement for your worn-out original. Disc Two features a 2025 stereo mix with some of the original edits – made to ensure that the original recording would fit into two sides of vinyl without compromising sound quality – restored. Trower afficionados will appreciate the little extras, especially on the newly-extended version of It’s Only Money.

Disc Three of the CD set includes outtakes and alternative versions from the album sessions, plus a couple of BBC Radio sessions from January 1975 and a lengthy rehearsal jam, recorded in September 1974, just as the newly-restored trio were getting to know each other.

THE DEFINITIVE LIVE RECORDING

But, perhaps, the jewel in this crown of a set is CD Disc Four, a live recording of the Trower band’s show at The Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles on 16^th March 1975. Never before released, it’s a recording of a band at the very peak of its powers. Like everyone, I have a list of gigs in my mind that I’ll remember forever – such was the impact that they had on my life. One such gig was Robin Trower’s appearance at Reading Festival on Sunday 24^th August, 1975. That evening, Robin and the band set the Reading field (almost literally) alight. OK, maybe the crowd were stultified by an afternoon of jazz-rock from Soft Machine and The Mahavishnu Orchestra, but they were brought to vibrant life by Robin, Bill and James.

The point of recounting that story is that the live set included here is almost exactly the same set, with the same running order, as the show that Robin played at Reading that day. I LOVE it when a fond memory is brought back to life in such a way. And the sound quality of the recording is excellent – sharp as a drum, and twice as tight. This, surely, is the definitive Robin Trower live recording. Where has it been lurking for all these years?

VINYL OR CD?

For vinyl lovers, this anniversary edition is available as a two-disc album. It features the remastered 1975 original mix and the 2025 stereo mix, together with David Sinclair’s extensive liner notes and a selection of rare photographs.

Take you pick, but don’t miss out. This is an excellent commemoration of a truly memorable album.

Watch Robin Trower and the band perform Gonna Be More Suspicious – a track from For Earth Below – live at Winterland, San Francisco, in 1975, below: