In 1993, vocalist Paul Rodgers released a tribute album to Muddy Waters which contained more guitar legends than you could shake a chicken leg at, and among those doing some fine guitar-slinging was Our Trev, appearing on two tracks: "Louisiana Blues" and "She's Alright."
Rodgers possesses a solid reputation as a blues singer even as the majority of his body of work is rock n'roll, but much like many of his peers his roots in and love of the blues is entirely evident, given the way he sings these songs with a certain reverence over and above his normal swagger.
And more than a few of the featured players also have demonstrated their hues of blue during their careers; but given the era of its release one notices that there are a lot of melodic AOR players featured. I've always assumed Trevor's participation came about because he and Rodgers shared the same manager at that time. And in the period between, say, 1985-1994, David Gilmour was apt to turn up for any session requested (he's admitted as much in various interviews). Some players are obvious choices, such as Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck and Steve Miller. Overall the field is strong, one fun surprise is hearing Rodgers' soon-to-be bandmate Brian May tear it up with just a hint of his harmonic histrionics on "I'm Ready."
I have to say that of the two tracks which feature Trevor, "Louisiana Blues" is a total barnburner: slinky, swampy and tough. Trevor's interpretation of blues tropes suits his playing on this one, even as he renders the solo with lots of fast fretwork, it doesn't stray too far beyond the groove.
Trevor also appears in a filmed performance from that same year (the video release is titled Paul Rodgers and Company) with a core band of Rodgers, Neal Schon on guitar, bassist Todd Jensen and drummer Dean Castronovo. The set is a combination of Rodgers' hits with Free and Bad Company and selections from the tribute, with Trevor appearing to reprise his performance on "Louisiana Blues." Special guests Brian Setzer, Slash and Trevor appear in a blues jam for the encore, playing on renditions of "Rock Me Baby" and "Crossroads." An interesting bit of trivia for you: Billy Sherwood - who also served his time with Yes as a sideman on the Talk tour and then as a member of the late-1990s iteration of the band - provided the audio production and mix.
Fashion Watch: that's the same shirt he wears in the Star Tracks video.
Three years later, another bluesman receiving a tribute was the late great Stevie Ray Vaughn and Trevor made an appearance on the 1996 release Crossfire: A Salute to Stevie Ray, which also featured performances by fellow fretmeisters Steve Stevens, Steve Morse, and blues legend Albert Lee among others. It was great to hear the Maestro had retained his chops after casting off the mantle of guitar god, although in my opinion his solo in "Tightrope" is a little too much in his own style rather than giving the nod to SRV. During his personal appearance in August of last year, Trevor recalled meeting Stevie Ray and commented on what a nice guy he was, despite his rather flashy persona.
These instances of performing in blues-rock idioms which were not a part of Trevor's formative years gives us an opportunity to appreciate how well he can adapt to different situations, in that he plays with as much fervor and fire as any of those who are the primary progenitors of the genre. Trevor's shades of blue may originate from a different South (below the Equator) but are equally compelling.
