The Fool And Me

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin The Fool And Me from Robin Trower's iconic 1974 album Bridge of Sighs! This track, a bluesy, psychedelic gem, showcases Trower's searing guitar riffs and the soulful vocals of James Dewar. One juicy piece of trivia about the song comes from its lyrical vibe, which captures a free-spirited, almost rebellious energy. The lyrics, like “Traveling that wind and laugh at the crowd, the fool and me,” evoke a sense of carefree wandering, perfectly fitting the hippie ethos of the Zoo Crew. In a 2019 Songfacts interview, Trower revealed that his songwriting for Bridge of Sighs always started with a guitar idea, and the lyrics for The Fool And Me took shape after he crafted its infectious riffs, with the words reflecting a playful yet defiant spirit.

Another cool tidbit about The Fool And Me ties to the album’s recording process. Produced by Trower’s former Procol Harum bandmate Matthew Fisher and engineered by Beatles legend Geoff Emerick, the track benefited from groundbreaking recording techniques. Trower noted in a 2024 interview with The Strange Brew that Emerick’s work at Air London studios helped capture the raw, emotive sound that makes the song so electrifying. Fans on Robin Trower’s Facebook page often rave about the song’s live performances, with a 1974 recording from The Record Plant in Sausalito, recently released in the Bridge of Sighs 50th Anniversary Edition, showing how the track’s energy exploded on stage. Posts on Trower’s X account also highlight fan excitement for the song’s remastered 2024 mix, which brings out its gritty guitar textures like never before.

Robin Trower, born March 9, 1945, in Catford, London, kicked off his musical journey in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, where his love for rhythm and blues took root. Inspired by local bands like the Fabulous Rockefellers, Trower formed his first group, The Paramounts, at 17 in 1962, alongside future Procol Harum frontman Gary Brooker. The Paramounts played a mix of rock and roll and R&B, covering James Brown and Bobby Bland, which shaped Trower’s soulful guitar style. After the band split in 1966, Trower briefly led a three-piece called The Jam (not to be confused with Paul Weller’s later band) before joining Procol Harum in 1967, just as their hit A Whiter Shade of Pale topped the charts. He stayed with the band until 1971, contributing to their first five albums and honing his craft.

Feeling constrained by Procol Harum’s baroque rock sound, Trower launched his solo career in 1973 with the Robin Trower Band, embracing a heavier, Hendrix-influenced blues-rock style. His 1973 debut, Twice Removed from Yesterday, set the stage, but it was Bridge of Sighs in 1974 that skyrocketed him to fame, reaching No. 7 on the U.S. charts. Trower’s signature use of a Fender Stratocaster, detuned to ease the tension of his heavy-gauge strings, gave his music a distinctive, wailing tone. Fans can dive deeper into his world at his official website, TrowerPower.com, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks looking to connect with other devotees, check out the fan-run site Robin Trower Fan Page or join the Robin Trower Fans Facebook group, where enthusiasts share rare photos, tour stories, and love for tracks like The Fool And Me.