Less than one minute into the first track on his debut album, you realize that there is a new electric blues gunslinger on the scene.
Roy Trevino is a Texas based blues guitarist and singer who has just released his first self-titled album produced by Grammy winning producer Joe Gaines. His core backing musicians are drummer J.J. Johnson, bassist Chris Maresh, and keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist David Boyle who provide support for his smooth and powerful guitar work and vocals.
He wrote nine of the ten tracks. The only cover is Bob Marley’s “Lively Up Yourself,” which takes Trevino somewhat outside of his blues foundation for a rocking but funky excursion.
His influences range from Led Zeppelin to Santana. The thumping and guitar driven “Hurricanes” and the bluesy gospel opener, “Gloria,” channel the sound of Zeppelin. He explores his Latin and Mexican roots with “Sin Ella” the romantic “La Luna,” and the building instrumental “Trinidad.” Through it all the main focus remains on his guitar virtuosity. He has a fluid style that moves effortlessly from one note to the next leaving behind a crystal clear listening experience.
The song “Going Away” demonstrates his ability to tell a story within the blues setting. The lyrics tell the tale of a Civil War soldier trying to explain to his daughter the reasons for his leaving.
If this album is any indication, his career might receive some publicity and commercial success. He was born and raised in South Texas and began playing the guitar and the blues at a very young age. He studied guitar with Ronnie Earl before forming the blues band Kingpin. They recorded two albums and toured with the likes of Three Dog Night, Marcia Ball, and Chicano bluesman Randy Garibay. After learning his trade and establishing himself as an electric guitarist of note he is now on his own as a solo artist.
Roy Trevino has released an album that should be attractive for any aficionado of the electric blues. If you are looking to expanding your blues horizons, then this might be an artist and an album for you.
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