-->

Introduction:


A series of essays wherein I explore the numerous musical identities of my favorite musician: from child prodigy to teen idol to guitar hero to singer/songwriter to award-winning in-demand film composer.
Featuring news/updates and commentary/analysis of Trevor's career and associated projects.
Comments are disabled but please feel free to contact me at rabinesque.blog@gmail.com.



Friday, April 18, 2014

Media Watch: human highlight reel go-to guy.

Today offered something I wasn't sure I'd ever see...a mention of Trevor in The New Yorker.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2014/04/nba-music.html

The subject of Ben Greenman's Culture Desk column is "N.B.A. Music," as the first round of the NBA playoffs are nigh, and he traces the evolution of the organization's theme songs since the mid-1970s.  Trevor's contribution, which has served for many years as the main theme for TNT's coverage of the NBA, is given a namecheck and YouTube link for the composition illustrating his strengths in composing a memorable theme which provides the appropriate emotional cues in a short time span.  But I take exception to his statement that John Tesh's theme is superior...okay, sure, Tesh can deliver that big brassy sound which hijacks your attention from anything else, but Trevor is a rock star, okay?  And that's what counts in the grandeur of professional basketball.  Enjoy the drama...and when you do, you know the music of the Maestro will be leading the way.


Monday, April 7, 2014

A look back at Trevor's endorsements: Westone-Alvarez

Note: this post is image-heavy (for those of you with slower browsers).


This year saw the release of Trevor's new signature model guitar from Washburn, the PXM-TR2/TR20.  It is part of Washburn's Parallaxe series of electric guitars, built for the modern shredder.  But as long-time fans know, over 20 years ago Trevor also had a signature model which was manufactured by Westone-Alvarez, and he endorsed both the Pantera electric as well as the Yairi acoustic beginning in 1986.  Jon Anderson also had an endorsement deal for the Yairi acoustic, beginning in 1979, and I would posit that is how Trevor came to be introduced to the brand, but that's just my speculation.

There are plenty of resources online for information regarding the Westone-Alvarez models which Trevor utilized and endorsed, including The Westone Forums site where there are more than a few Rabin Rabinite fanboys available for such discussion.  And of course the Star Licks video which is all about guitars and gear, technique and tenacity (and Trevor is wearing one of his greatest outfits ever); a must-have for any fan's collection, readily available on DVD from various sellers on eBay.

In the video (produced in 1992), Trevor proclaims his deep and abiding love for his "baby" of the moment:

Here is a look at the signature model and its variants as featured in one of the Westone brochures, I believe this was from 1991 or '92:

From the fan/collector's perspective, what I desire is to pay visual tribute with the various endorsement ads which feature Trevor - he also officially endorsed D'Addario strings and Ampeg amps - starting with the three main ads for Westone-Alvarez.

In this ad Trevor is pictured with the Westone Pantera.

1986

This ad was photographed on the set of the video shoot for "Something To Hold On To."

1989

This ad is for the signature model with one of Trevor's most iconic photographs in the minds of most fans:

1993

Here's another ad noting Trevor as an official endorser.

1992

There were also three ads for Yairi, the first two are standard advertising format for the brand, there are also other versions with different guitarists pictured.

1986

1987

1987