The Trevor B. Power Band – Two Crows
Farm 189 Records
10 tracks/41 minutes
Trevor B. Power is a 63 year old bluesman from Northern New Jersey who, with this release, has now produced four albums. He works with New York blues guitar ace Dave Fields and writes his own songs. His style is gritty and rocking. His vocals are just above a growl and quite interesting.
Featuring Dave Fields on guitar and occasional bass, it also includes Steve Holley on the drums and percussion. Laura Kate Marshall adds backing vocals on half the tracks. They are the core group of musicians and guests are listed below.
“Bobby Lane” opens the album. Power growls out the lead vocals while he and Fields passionately pick acoustic guitars. It’s just a trio and a little different than the rest of the album. He tells the story of the title character, a mean and hard drinking guy. Intriguingly cool and different. Then it’s “Let It Ride,” a hard rocking cut with Dennis Gruenling on harp. More grit and grime, more gutsy vocals and driving guitar along with wickedly hot harp.
“Ain’t Got No Bread” follows, a throbbing and driving cut with Will Wylde on harp. It’s wild ride with heavy electric guitar licks and down and dirty harp. Kenny Thorstenson appears on bass, helping lay out the big groove featured here. “My Neighborhood” returns to the original trio’ Fields adds keys and backing vocals. It’s a little rocking number with distorted guitar and a slick vibe.
“Speck of Life” is the same crew as the last track with electric and acoustic guitars and Marshall helping vocally. Introspective stuff with heady lyrics and ethereal guitar licks. “Horizon” reprises the players from the prior track and adds Fields’ son Jasper on flute. The song lacks the gruffy vocals and with the added flute, nice guitar solo, some organ and good backing vocals it channels a cool 1960’s rock vibe– well done!
“The Message” is another sweet acoustic piece. Power again backs off the gruff side of his vocals and pulls off another late 60’s rocker that swings and has a slick feel to it. Another stinging guitar solo helps sell this one as does the spoken word testimonial. The foursome also handles “Puddles of Blood;” here Power bemoans the shootings and hatred in our society as he testifies to us again, and we get yet Again another nice electric guitar solo with some slide work.
The trio handles “The Fire Burns” as he hear flames licking up as Power moans out the intro. He retains his less gruff vocal approach here as he laments the destructive and massive fires we experienced last year. He sings with passion as he winds his way in this slow and somber cut. A repetitive guitar groove and nice slide and deep guitar licks help to set the mood here. The album concludes with “Our Time Is Short,” another lilting acoustic piece. There’s a slight bit of the growling vocal here as Power sings of his widowed mother whom he deeply misses. A singer on silver screen, he and the backing vocals give an emotive performance as they sing of meeting up in the next existence.
Overall, I was impressed with the original songs. They were all crafted well and the lyrics captured the listener’s interest. Power has a vocal style that ranges in levels of grittiness that makes the listener take notice. The accompaniment is all well done and musically the album shines. It’s bot really a true blues album, often taking us on a rock musical journey, but it’s good stuff never the less. I liked the album a lot and I think Power and company will get noticed– there’s some nice tunes to enjoy on this album!
