Robben Ford Interviewed by Sweetwater

Mitch Gallagher sits down with world-famous blues guitarist and composer Robben Ford. He talks about recording in Sweetwater Studios with his band, writing music, improvising rhythm parts, and much more.

[@stevelawrie9115]

It is amazing to see a "star", having honesty and humility and still be brilliant.

[@cameronwalshguitar]

Man.. Robben Ford. What a role model.

[@tonelocrian]

"A great musician wants to communicate … his first interest isn't to impress. His instinct is to communicate. I think that's what the essence of being a great musician, or anything else, is that you want to connect" - Robben Ford

[@michaelhanby7273]

I think there's one trait that Robben missed, probably because he has so much of it; humility. I believe every great musician never reaches a place of completion, because there's ALWAYS something new to learn. Real wisdom is being aware of how much you don't know...

[@gregn16]

​@Michael Hanby I couldn't agree more. He's the most humble , yet brilliantly gifted musician that I've witnessed, watching interviews. Great observation ( I.M.O. ) 🙂

[@RenanBeltrao]

Robben is such an AWESOME guitar player and such an interesting person. love the dude.

[@franciscolerche5113]

THERES NO ROOM FOR THAT MUCH HUMILITY! what a clear person

[@mikec6733]

Mr. Ford is such a sincere, humble and good hearted person. ❤ Not saying he's a Saint. Who is? and I think it he would not be comfortable with such talk. He's so so reticent to hold is head too high. Love, love, and appreciation ❤

[@asisrai4967]

Robben ford so humble.

[@fpapaleo74]

Mr. Ford is a living legend! Great interview guys!

[@thesunabsolute]

Mitch is on fire in this interview... How many times does Robben get the question "do you miss the b13 in your soloing?". So good.

[@nomypomy]

What a treat to watch this legend talk about his influences and experiences; he is so humble too! One of my favorite guitar players!

[@manguera9]

believe or not the most important part of the musician is what did put on the record..if is a "new thing"new sound " or nice melody solo" that people get infections to listen over and over the world will remember you, that is Robben Ford

[@zbqb84a]

Fantastic interview. Why have I not taken the time to learn more about Robben in the past? Such a fascinating guy who's passion is evident even with his low key demeanor.

[@davidespinosa1910]

Mitch has really come a long way. Such a great interview. He doesn't interrupt Robben at all, not even once.

[@swede7160]

First time I saw him live was at the Melody club Stockholm in 91.Fantastic show and performance.

[@LetzBeaFranque]

The is the best interview of Robben Ford on utube. Excellent job Mitch.

[@Hhenriette]

very nice interview. great journalist with very musical ears. very interesting and open musician. so much knowledge going on between them in this talk.

[@campfirecrooner]

great interview, Mitch, you killed it! thanks

[@jamusic84]

Very good interview! Thank you, Robben, Mitch and Sweetwater!

[@DatAnydeks]

All such Sweetwater interviews are priceless.

[@OzDesignGroup]

Another revealing interview from Mitch at Sweetwater. Real interviews with substantial information!

[@Wyrdo999]

Good interview, Robben is a fabulous guitar player. I love his outside playing on the blues. Thx for this.

[@Art-zs6sl]

"I think a great musician wants to communicate" -Robben Ford. It's amazing how easy it is to get lost along the way and forget this lesson.

[@gsimons213]

What a great interview. It gave me an insight into Robben's style, philosophy and application. Excellent.

[@mqblues]

Robben plays rhythm guitar like a keyboardist: chord inversions, double stops, rhythm accents. Well rounded player. He also played saxophone very early in his career.

[@jimmaculate5]

And piano.

[@soerenguitarlessons9947]

This is a very good interview with an outstanding musician and guitar player. Robben sounded great playing (ultra) slowblues in A flat major with Jimmy Witherspoon in 1977, and he still sounds as good as ever. Just amazing!

[@jerrymcgeorge4117]

What a gem Robben is. Many thanks Maestro!

[@loudguy1974]

"The electric guitar is necessary for the blues..." Spoken by a genius. Thanks for all that you do, Robben Ford. This electric guitarist will always love you for it.

[@erikceman5354]

Great interview sweetwater!

[@andrewthesea]

Thanks so much for sharing this interview. Robben has an incredible personality. Sheer joy to watch him talking.

[@sbingham1979]

Excellent interview.

[@ctbarker321]

Absolutely fab interview Mitch! Thank you Sweetwater for giving Mitch the forum for these interviews. I first say Robben around 1979 or so when his first solo album came out. My only wish is Robben had a guitar plugged in so he could demonstrate the musical techniques he was discussing to aid us learning musicians.

[@leonidastheking7830]

Robben Ford such a Classy Gentleman

[@CliffMcCauley]

It’s not easy to interview this well! Succinct, thoughtful, FRESH questions without an ounce of presumption or awkwardness. So great, such a treat to watch. Thank you!

[@fredcspeckeen]

Great interview, Mitch - thanks!

[@strat180]

Fantastic interview, very insightful

[@hanskung3278]

I'll never understand when he says he"doesn't really practice", he's so good.

[@captainbandar2393]

Thank you guys, great interview

[@Sobchak2]

What a great interview, really well done.

[@davederlego6267]

Mitch great job!! 👌🏻

[@gregmize01]

Jing Chi Live changed my world 🌎🎸🌎🎸

[@marike1100]

The "Jing Chi, Live at Yoshi's" album is incredible, such a great lineup in that band.

[@EmilErnebroGuitar]

Mitch, you're doing such a great job. This is the best interview that I've heard with Robben Ford! And I think I've heard almost every interview! :) kind regards from Sweden!

[@seangamble7480]

love the professionalism

[@mrsunlite]

Good stuff Mitch, great questions enjoyed that

[@mikec6733]

10:45 Mitch's "humph" and "right" can teach you a lot the about human experience. Observe and understand. Know thyself.

[@VacantCityDrifters]

very nice converstaion - thanks for *not* asking him about gear !!!!

[@RoeShamBoe]

awesome interview

[@MartinMillerGuitar]

"You get 3 more licks for the price of one" - I'm dying!

[@tonelocrian]

25:10 Claus Ogerman is one of my favorites too - killer George Benson & Michael Brecker collaborations :)

[@mortenkalland]

That is a person after my own heart.

[@gimmeagig]

What a great interview! Way beyond " what kind of pedals do you use and what was your first guitar) only possible with an interviewer who has an in depth knowledge about music and improvisation and harmony. This was really a pleasure. thank you

[@MerrickGuitar]

Good interviewer, Robben's great obviously.

[@jrhoads4849]

Haslip = Bass badass. The Yellowjackets were so tight. Ford is awesome!

[@djfobtronics]

great interview!

[@Mr_Gray_Sky]

Those mugs are dope

[@hanskung3278]

4 or 5 licks? Wow! Never would have guessed that after a life time of playing.

[@jimmaculate5]

Jing and Chi are two of the Three Treasures of Chinese Tonic Herbalism going back five to ten thousand years. The Third Treasure is Shen. Once again, the Three Treasures are Jing, Chi and Shen. Jing is essence. Chi is energy. And Shen is wisdom/compassion.

[@ahiwalter9153]

me: this will be a nice interview to sit back & enjoy also me: pulls out a pen & paper, begins taking notes 30 seconds into video

[@xRisingForcex]

21:20 not true, robben! i genuinely feel that your guitar playing in the early 80s with the yellowjackets is some of the most killer playing to have ever happened in the jazz fusion realm -- your '81 montreux gig has to be uncontested for the most slept-on jazz record.

[@rwolfhaus1234]

great perspective

[@ronlight7013]

It's really interesting how at the end Robben is asked to define a "great" musician and, however unintended, he seems to describe the characteristics of a person exactly as he's demonstrated himself to be over the course of the interview. Of course, he's genuinely too humble to have meant the description for himself, but if the shoe fits . . .

[@terryhill9772]

i was wondering if he every thought about way back in ukiah high school days ,i would like to hear and see in detail of the early years,just sayin,i know little ,and found out i know nothing being from ukiah now in tenn.anyway just spaced out ,ok am back,great video,one of robbens best,just sayin

[@johnnylance]

Fans should check out Robben's record Schizophonic. He plays guitar and sax on the that one.

[@burninho]

When it will come out? Jing Chi album!

[@matt89102]

YAYYYY NEW JING CHI!!!!!!!

[@dantebrent5075]

Matt Zito yhaaa buddy can't wait!

[@bubrzubr5940]

He looks like everybody's favourite librarian.

[@jimjiminy76]

"Jing Chi is basically just a recording band consisting of Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and Jimmy Haslip on bass and myself" That's not "just a recording band"...that's a POWER TRIO!

[@JohnWoodsrd]

Robin did you ever play at a place called the warehouse in port costa california three miles from crockett

[@pascaljeanne8002]

pfou this guy is so great lol ! just try to play what he plays ...and come back in 50 years !

[@GeorgeKam]

funny thing..Guthrie govan once mentioned that quote...21:42

[@loekification]

yes,another ying chi record.loeking foreward.

[@dantebrent5075]

loek van schooten forth recording and they out do the other's not saying the last ones were bad. I'm a big fan.

[@Juampidelmundo]

24:25 Who he says? Thanks

[@mchristr]

Blues guitarist, rock guitarist, jazz guitarist, fusion guitarist...Well, I guess Robben's an everything guitarist. Over the decades there's no one I'd rather listen to.

[@ronj9448]

No Jimmy Haslip interview?

[@sweetwater]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZ7bZ4NpeN-BlZI

[@ronj9448]

Thanks!

[@dantebrent5075]

Ron R check out for bassist only. I think that's the name of the page.

[@hanskung3278]

A blues player influenced by Ravel?

[@karlstromvall4319]

was that a bit rough? Sorry, people.....he hee. my bad. I think Frank and Dweezil would approve though

[@mikec6733]

If there's been so many "great" musicians and composers, why is our world so filled with angst and worry?

[@mikec6733]

It's ALL a TRAP.