Truth

1	Lateral Climb 4:20
2	How Deep in the Blues (Do You Want to Go) 4:19
3	Nobody's Fault But Mine 3:14
4	Riley B. King 6:17
5	You're Gonna Need a Friend 5:45
6	One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Floor / Susan Tedeschi 4:38
7	Too Much 4:14
8	Peace on My Mind 6:02
9	There'll Never Be Another You 5:17
10	River of Soul 6:20
11	Moonchild Blues 5:41

Barnes & Noble

Robben Ford's been a full-time bluesman for over a decade now, but the veteran guitarist's past musical exploits always promise something more interesting than the average southside shuffle. Ford was a founding member of the Yellowjackets, and while he left the band before their terminal slide into smoothness, he drops more than a few jazzy hints along with his crisp bluesy licks. "Peace on My Mind" and "River of Soul" are the most atmospheric cuts, featuring loping rhythms reminiscent of the Pat Metheny Band. On the contrary, the crunching "There'll Never Be Another You" is propelled by a snaking rhythm -- drummer Charley Drayton, of Keith Richards' X-pensive Winos band, to thank -- that's got plenty of bark and bite. Other highlights include his duet with Susan Tedeschi, on a bluesy remake of Paul Simon's "One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Floor," and a powerful, horn-laden take on "Nobody's Fault But Mine." Mark Schwartz

All Music Guide

Robben Ford is at that stage in his career when he needs to make a decision. It's been well established for decades that he is one of the truly great guitar players out there. He has mastered the many styles placed in front of him and bitten off and chewed more. But that doesn't necessarily mean he is a great songwriter; he's not, and that's painfully obvious on Truth. Perhaps the best that can be said about this recording is that it is the work of a very competent bandleader and producer who happens to play one hell of a mean guitar. It also features fine performances from organist Larry Goldings and bassist Will Lee, and guest appearances from Susan Tedeschi (whose soulful voice literally saves a cover of Paul Simon's "One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Floor") and Bernie Worrell (on "Riley B. King"). That said, Ford's songs are rather tired, generic, and unidentifiable except for his guitar playing and Goldings' amazing organ playing when he appears on one (though a notable exception to this is the midnight blue protest tune "Peace on My Mind"). His singing voice hasn't gotten any better with the years. He can hold a tune, but it's as if there isn't anything there. His choosing to cover Otis Redding's classic "Nobody's Fault But Mine" was a terrible mistake, as anyone who has ever heard the original would attest. If you are a Ford fan, you no doubt look forward to more of his playing and it's here; if you're not, and know nothing about the man, there is little here to recommend this set. Ford should pull a Tiger Woods and break everything he knows down and begin again; he has too much talent to simply coast like this. This CD was nominated for a Grammy award in 2007 for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Thom Jurek