Producers: Paul Marszalek, Bill Evans, KFOG.

Recorded live at Yoshi's, Oakland, California on December 5, 1995. Includes liner notes by Robben Ford.

Robben Ford is one of those rare artists that can combine musical virtuosity with a deep groove and make it all sound easy. THE AUTHORIZED BOOTLEG captures Ford with his band the Blue Line in a rare acoustic setting at Oakland's famed Yoshi's. In a very intimate and somewhat subdued setting, Ford and company strut their stuff through some of their most compelling material. The grooves are deep and swinging, and the level of interaction among the group is at an all time high. Laid bare in this "unplugged" realm, Ford's playing takes on an a raw, earthy quality that complements his uncanny sense of swing.

With many all-acoustic live recordings, the players often seem hindered by their circumstances. Ford & The Blue Line, however, re-invent many of their live favorites, including "When I Leave Here," "Chevrolet" and "Start It Up" giving them a character distinctly different from their electric origins. "Help The Poor" gets a drastic reworking as the centerpiece of the set. Other standout cuts include a beautiful reading of the classic "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" and Ford's solo performance of Paul Butterfield's "Lovin' Cup."