Dr Robert

Dr Robert’s Flutes & Bones album had some specific inspiration. It was birthed when Robert moved to Spain. “The title comes from a poem by Spanish poet laureate Federico Garcia Lorca,” Robert has been quoted as saying. It’s “also about a bullfighter,” he says. Moving to such a romantic locale can have such a positive affect on a guy. “The whole album was inspired by my reaction to moving to a remote mountain village just south of Granada.” It took a while for Robert to complete it, however, because he also recorded an album with PP Arnold, as well as reformed The Blow Monkeys, which led to two new albums with that reformed band. Naturally, this project had to wait.

All indications are that it was worth the wait. Robert has always had a love for jazz and soul, which he created with his own band and solo recordings, as well as the music he made with Paul Weller. This album only builds upon that stylistic love. Just listen to the way the electric guitar stretches out easily during “What it Takes.” No, this is not John Coltrane jazz. Rather, it’s more of how jazz elements have meshed into pop music to make something both cool and pop, at the same time.

Lyrically, Robert sounds a lot happier than he did during The Blow Monkey days. Maybe the music influenced the lyrical tone, but almost all these songs find Robert seemingly at peace with the world. It might also have something to do with him falling in love with the landscape and culture of Spain. Whatever the case, this is one warm full-length.

It’s great to hear Robert still flexing his creative muscles. Too often, popular songwriters fall into musical nostalgia as they age. Not so with Dr Robert, though. He’s got all his artistic facilities still, and isn’t at all afraid to show them off.