When Robin Trower endeavored to record his third solo album a little more than five decades ago, the British guitarist was ready to become a star. With 1974’s “Bridge Of Sighs” solidifying the success of “Twice Removed From Yesterday” from the previous year, there was a little surprise, but a lot of satisfaction, in “For Earth Below” shooting up the “Billboard” charts to occupy the #5 slot, even though the musician’s homeland gave a colder shoulder to this platter. Its funk quotient heightened by former Sly Stone drummer Bill Lordan pairing with James Dewar in a powerful rhythm machine, this longplay has been fans’ favorite for a long time, and the news of the forthcoming 50th Anniversary Edition of the classic is more than welcome.
Out on June 27th, the box set should feel more fleshed-out than a single-disc expanded reissue of Robin’s debut and a three-CD-and-Blu-ray half-centennial version of its follow-up. And though both the fresh remaster of the original album and its 2025 stereo remix (that will also be made available as a double-vinyl package) could have been placed on one disc, the value of working cuts, outtakes and mostly unheard concert recordings, including a newly prepared American show from the “For Earth Below” tour, cannot be overestimated.
For Earth Below:
50th Anniversary Edition
CD 1 – Original 1975 Mix – 2025 Remaster:
1. Shame The Devil
2. It’s Only Money
3. Confessin’ Midnight
4. Fine Day
5. Alethea
6. A Tale Untold
7. Gonna Be More Suspicious
8. For Earth Below
CD 2 – 2025 Stereo Mix:
1-8 – as on CD 1
CD 3 – Outtakes & Rarities:
1. It’s Only Money (vocal take 1)
2. Fine Day (vocal take jam 1)
3. Alethea (vocal take 2)
4. Happy (vocal take 1)
5. The Moody One (instrumental take 2)
Top Of The Pops – January 28th, 1975:
6. Interview 1
7. Fine Day
8. Interview 2
9. Confessin’ Midnight
10. It’s Only Money
11. Gonna Be More Suspicious
BBC Live in Concert – January 29th, 1975
12. Fine Day
13. Alethea
14. Gonna Be More Suspicious
15. Rehearsal Instrumental Jam (September 1974)
CD 4 – Live at The Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall, LA – March 16th, 1975:
1. Day Of The Eagle
2. Bridge Of Sighs
3. Gonna Be More Suspicious
4. Fine Day
5. Lady Love
6. Daydream
7. Too Rolling Stoned
8. I Can’t Wait Much Longer
9. Alethea
10. Little Bit Of Sympathy
11. Confessin’ Midnight
12. Rock Me Baby
13. The Fool And Me
