| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
Bridge of Sighs is the second solo album by the English guitarist and songwriter Robin Trower. Released in 1974, it was his second album after leaving Procol Harum, and was a commercial breakthrough for Trower. Songs such as "Bridge of Sighs", "Too Rolling Stoned", "Day of the Eagle" and "Little Bit of Sympathy" became live concert staples.
History
The album was produced by organist Matthew Fisher, formerly Trower's bandmate in Procol Harum. Acclaimed Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick was this album's sound engineer.
In an interview with Guitar World,[3] Trower explained how the album got its title. Robin said that he had the first line of the song for years and one day saw some sport pages which listed a racehorse called Bridge of Sighs, which he thought would be a great title. The horse likely got its name from the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy, built in the 1600s.
Bridge of Sighs was the second Trower release to feature cover art by "Funky" Paul Olsen, the first being 1973's Twice Removed from Yesterday.
Bridge of Sighs (Chrysalis 1057) reached #7 in the United States during a chart stay of 31 weeks. It was certified Gold on 10 September 1974. Early printings of the original album cover had the front image upside-down and were more greenish in colour.
The title track was covered by Opeth for the special edition of their 2008 album, Watershed. Steve Lukather covered it for his 2021 album, I Found the Sun Again. A segment of it also appears as a hidden track on Metallica's 1998 cover album Garage Inc.
"Day of the Eagle" was covered by Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens on his third solo album Memory Crash (2008). Tesla also covered the song on their 2007 Real to Reel album as did Armored Saint on their Nod to the Old School record.
"Too Rolling Stoned" was covered by Drivin N Cryin with Warren Haynes for the 1995 Hempilation benefit compilation album. In 2017, UFO included the song on their covers album, The Salentino Cuts.
The album was remastered and remixed in 1999 with five bonus tracks recorded on 29 May 1974 for KMET radio at The Record Plant in Los Angeles.
The album was remastered once again and released in 2007 with eight bonus tracks from BBC Radio 1's "John Peel Sessions" made on 28 January and 5 March shows.
A four-CD expanded version was released in 2024. It includes 2024 remaster of album, outtakes and full perfomance of concert from 1999 reissue.[4]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Robin Trower; except where indicated
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Day of The Eagle" | 4:59 | |
| 2. | "Bridge of Sighs" | 5:05 | |
| 3. | "In This Place" | 4:28 | |
| 4. | "The Fool and Me" | James Dewar, Robin Trower | 3:57 |
| Total length: | 17:29 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Too Rolling Stoned" | 7:29 | |
| 6. | "About to Begin" | 3:43 | |
| 7. | "Lady Love" | James Dewar, Robin Trower | 3:21 |
| 8. | "Little Bit of Sympathy" | 4:20 | |
| Total length: | 18:53 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9. | "Day Of The Eagle" (Live) | 3:49 | |
| 10. | "Bridge Of Sighs" (Live) | 5:16 | |
| 11. | "Too Rolling Stoned" (Live) | 6:27 | |
| 12. | "Lady Love" (Live) | James Dewar, Robin Trower | 3:13 |
| 13. | "Little Bit Of Sympathy" (Live) | 4:48 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9. | "Bridge of Sighs" | 4:54 | |
| 10. | "In This Place" | 4:04 | |
| 11. | "Alethea" | 3:55 | |
| 12. | "Little Bit Of Sympathy" | 3:52 | |
| 13. | "Fine Day" | James Dewar, Robin Trower | 3:22 |
| 14. | "Confessin' Midnight" | 4:47 | |
| 15. | "It's Only Money" | 5:01 | |
| 16. | "Gonna Be More Suspicious" | James Dewar, Robin Trower | 2:58 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "USA Radio Spot 1" | 0:14 | |
| 10. | "USA Radio Spot 2" | 1:05 | |
| 11. | "Day Of The Eagle (Instrumental Rehearsal)" | 3:50 | |
| 12. | "Bridge Of Sighs (Outtake)" | 5:47 | |
| 13. | "The Fool And Me (Instrumental Outtake)" | James Dewar, Robin Trower | 5:21 |
| 14. | "Lady Love (Extended Outtake)" | 4:02 | |
| 15. | "Little Bit Of Sympathy (Alternate Take)" | 2:00 | |
| 16. | "Lady Love (Early Version)" | James Dewar, Robin Trower | 4:04 |
| 17. | "Day Of The Eagle (Single Version)" | 2:58 | |
| 18. | "USA Radio Spot 3" | 1:02 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Twice Removed From Yesterday" | James Dewar, Robin Trower | 3:57 |
| 2. | "Bridge Of Sighs" | 5:25 | |
| 3. | "Alethea" | 4:24 | |
| 4. | "Lady Love" | James Dewar, Robin Trower | 3:15 |
| 5. | "Daydream" | James Dewar, Robin Trower | 6:45 |
| 6. | "Too Rolling Stoned" | 6:18 | |
| 7. | "I Can't Wait Much Longer" | Frankie Miller, Robin Trower | 6:19 |
| 8. | "Day Of The Eagle" | 4:09 | |
| 9. | "Little Bit Of Sympathy" | 5:04 | |
| 10. | "Rock Me Baby" | Riley B. King, Joe Josea | 5:01 |
Personnel
- Robin Trower – guitar
- James Dewar – bass, vocals
- Reg Isidore – drums
Additional personnel
Charts
| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] | 41 |
| United States (Billboard 200) | 7 |
References
- ^ "The Top 30 British Blues Rock Albums Of All Time". Classic Rock. Future plc. 23 March 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ Horowitz, Hal. Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs (1974) album review, credits & releases at AllMusic. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "Dear Guitar Hero: Robin Trower Discusses 'Bridge of Sighs,' His Vibrato, Guitars, Effects and More | Guitar World". Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
- ^ Amazon
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 313. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
