Description
Robben Ford – Talk To Your Daughter – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Released in 1988 on Warner Bros. Records, Talk to Your Daughter is widely considered one of guitarist and vocalist Robben Ford’s defining albums. By the late 1980s, Ford was already a seasoned player—having toured with Miles Davis, played with Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, and the Yellowjackets, and built a reputation as a guitarist with rare versatility. With Talk to Your Daughter, he leaned fully into his blues roots while infusing the music with the harmonic sophistication and technical mastery that set him apart from traditional blues players. The result is a record that bridges Chicago blues, jazz fusion, and contemporary rock, making it both a critical and fan favorite.
The album features a top-tier lineup:
Robben Ford – guitar, vocals
Russell Ferrante – keyboards (a fellow Yellowjackets member)
Jimmy Haslip – bass
Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
Plus guest horn players and session musicians adding depth to the arrangements
This ensemble gives the record both groove and polish, ensuring Ford’s fiery guitar work is supported by a rhythm section capable of both subtle swing and explosive power.
The title track, “Talk to Your Daughter,” a cover of a 1954 blues tune by J.B. Lenoir (popularized by Magic Sam), sets the tone. Ford’s version is muscular and tight, balancing raw blues grit with crisp, modern production. His guitar solos are both searing and melodic, demonstrating his gift for phrasing.
Other highlights include:
“Help the Poor” – a B.B. King classic, reinterpreted with Ford’s soulful voice and masterful guitar lines, paying homage while carving out his own identity.
“Ain’t Got Nothin’ but the Blues” – a jazz-inflected blues co-written with Duke Ellington, showcasing Ford’s ability to navigate the space between swing and groove.
“Born Under a Bad Sign” – Ford’s take on the Albert King standard, with a funkier, jazz-rock edge that breathes new life into the familiar tune.
“I Don’t Play” – an original composition that shows Ford’s wit and songwriting chops, mixing humor with sharp guitar riffs.
“Can’t Let Her Go” – smooth and soulful, highlighting the album’s dynamic range beyond straight-ahead blues workouts.
What makes Talk to Your Daughter remarkable is how it modernized the blues for the late ’80s without losing authenticity. Ford’s guitar tone is clean, precise, and expressive—more polished than traditional blues players, but never sterile. His phrasing, informed by years of jazz and fusion experience, brings sophistication to the genre without sacrificing raw feeling. Vocally, Ford delivers with a laid-back yet soulful touch, complementing his guitar rather than overshadowing it.
The album was a success. It earned Ford a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Recording in 1989, and it has since been cited as one of the best blues albums of the decade. While traditionalists sometimes bristled at its fusion elements, many listeners embraced it as a bold, modern take on the blues—accessible enough for casual fans, but rich in detail for guitarists and musicians.
Talk to Your Daughter is not just a great blues record—it’s a pivotal work that showcases Robben Ford’s unique place in modern music. It demonstrates how the blues can evolve while retaining its core spirit, incorporating elements of jazz, rock, and soul. For aspiring guitarists, the album remains a touchstone of tone, phrasing, and tasteful virtuosity. For fans of blues and beyond, it’s a timeless reminder that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Talk To Your Daughter
Wild About You (Can’t Hold On Much Longer)
Help The Poor
Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues
Born Under A Bad Sign
I Got Over It
Revelation
Getaway
Can’t Let Her Go
