ROY TREVINO
ROY TREVINO
TROUBADOUR RECORDS TR 001
GLORIA–THE BOY CAN PLAY–HURRICANES–SIN ELLA–TRINIDAD–LIVELY UP YOURSELF–LA LUNA–THANK YOU–GOING AWAY–LITTLE GIRL
Born in south Texas, a young Roy Trevino mentored under Ronnie Earl, and was soon fronting his own band. One of their highlights was backing Lazy Lester whenever he came to town, and harpman Tim Gonzalez urged Roy to seek out Jim Gaines to produce his album. The resulting set is Roy’s self-titled debut, and Gaines brought out the best this young guitar-slinger had to offer on nine smokin’ originals and one Bob Marley cover.
Roy is fluent on slide guitar, and holds nothing back on these cuts. Check out the call-and-response of the intense, gospel-flavored opener, “Gloria,’ which was originally intended to be a Mass written as blues. The elegant instrumental, “Trinidad,” has elements of Carlos Santana, while “Sin Ella” and the acoustic beauty of “La Luna” feature lyrics in English and Spanish. And, Roy gives a funky arrangement to Marley’s “Lively Up Yourself,” making it a highly-danceable affair.
We had two favorites, too. “Going Away” is the sad tale of a Civil War soldier’s last meal with his family before heading into battle, and its story is as powerful and poignant in today’s society as it was during the era for which it was written. And, Roy’s autobiography surfaces in “The Boy Can Play,” where he name-checks all his heroes and mentors. It features Roy’s guitar spouting deft lines after each lyric, then branching out for some nasty solo work.
Roy Trevino wields a mean guitar, and, under Jim Gaines’ tutelage, has crafted a deeply-soulful and highly satisfying set!! Until next time….Sheryl and Don Crow, Nashville Blues Society
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