The Trevor B. Power Band – Are We Ever Free
Farm 189 Records
11 songs – 42 minutes
Blues and roots rocker Trevor B. Power has been in and around the music industry for decades, but only stepped into the spotlight himself five years ago, recording the debut CD Everyday Angel, which immediately made a splash, hitting the No. 24 spot for album of the year on one of Roots Music Report’s charts. It was quite an accomplishment for the New Jersey native. His second follow-up, this effort takes a much more serious tone, stressing the need to live in the moment – while delivering a powerful message about the discontent roiling the U.S. today.
Now in his early 60s with a pleasant, well-worn tenor, Trevor started playing guitar at age 15 and spent a huge chunk of his life playing solo, acoustic coffeehouse gigs and working as a deejay, most notably at WNT, the public station operated by Centenary College In Hackensack, where he educated himself in the blues. He currently hosts a weekly show online at Spider Glenn Radio (www.spiderglennradio.com.)
He was already in the business for a couple of decades when his course in life changed thanks to Bobby Whitlock, the beloved multi-instrumentalist who was a member of Eric Clapton’s Derek and the Dominos before launching a career of his own. A longtime friend, Bobby was fond of Power’s talent as a tunesmith and performer and encouraged him to pursue his musical dream.
That led to Trevor performing with several major blues talents in the Northeast and Texas, including guitarists Dave Fields and Bob Lanza, harp player Steve Krase, vocalist Trudy Lynn and Anthony Kirzan of Spin Doctors and Lenny Kravitz fame, too. Kirzan produced his first CD, with Whitlock and keyboard player John Ginty of the Allman Betts Band in the lineup.
This album follows a similar format. Co-produced by Fields – who contributes bass and other instruments — at his Farm189 Studios in Califon, N.J., it’s a star-studded effort anchored by Steve Holley (Paul McCartney & Wings) on drums and features percussionist Tom Dicianni, guitarists Lanza and Bob Macarone and multi-instrumentalist Kirzan, too. Tim Timko and Baron Raymonde add saxes and contributions from British harmonica sensation Will Wilde and background vocals from the Califon Chiswick Singers round out the effort.
A simple guitar run opens the upbeat blues-rocker “Let Yourself Fly” before the full band joins in. It listeners to keep going even when facing the biggest obstacles in life – including being held back by someone who truly loves you. “Lady Luck” powers out of the gate and keeps the message going while noting that, like Trevor, all you need is a little good fortune to get by.
The rocker “Mystery” finds Power wondering why he’s fallen from grace before delivering the title track, “Are We Ever Free,” a ballad that opens quietly but builds intensity throughout and slowly picks up speed, too. It finds him sitting in his favorite chair, reflecting on the current state of America and wondering if we’re on the verge of another Civil War while suggesting that more brotherly love is one solution that will cure our current unrest.
The message continues in the uptempo blues, “Going to Washington.” This time, Trevor’s headed to a meeting with the president in an effort to change his luck by buying a favor or two. The band blazes, featuring Wilde in high in the mix. It gives way to optimist outlook on making “Mistakes” before Power celebrates driving down the road with the top down and his lady at his side in “TR3,” his beloved antique automobile, which graces the back cover of the CD.
The pace changes once more for “Come On Now,” which stresses the need to help the homeless, before the medium-fast rocker, “Trouble to the Core,” finds Trevor wondering why his woman let him go before the upbeat “The Noose” advises the importance of staying positive in troubled times in “The Noose.” The set closes with “Man Goes Blind,” a blues that questions whether society is too far gone to recovery from our current woes.
Strong messages from a man who truly cares, and interesting throughout for anyone who appreciates rock with their blues.
