Hollow is the latest release from blues multi-instrumentalist, Trevor Sewell. On Hollow, Sewell covers vocals, guitars, bass, mandolin, harmonica, and keys. For the U.K. portion of the record he worked with Trevor Brewis on drums and percussion, Anthony McNally on fiddle and Franky Gibbon on bass and piano. The U.S. portion features Paul Barrere on slide guitar, Linda Chorney and Mia Moravis on backing vocals and Brooke Nickerson as featured vocalist. All the tracks were written, arranged and produced by Trevor Sewell.
The world beat meets, Cajun blues “Hollow – Pt1”, opens the album. Trevor’s gutsy voice, reminiscent of Chris Rea, gives the entire album an edginess even on mid tempo ballads like the second track, “Shaky Ground.” Here Sewell creates a melancholy atmosphere with a combination of soulful vocals, and wonderfully medolic guitar work. “What You Say” takes on yet another character with it’s subtle, funk feel. While all the tracks are excellent some of the standouts are the hard driving acoustic shuffle of “Small Change,” the mandolin drenched ballad “As Long As I Can Breathe,” and the Little Feat inspired “So Tired.” The latter is a horn kicking, gospel back up vocal, slide guitar affair that would have made Lowell George damn proud.
The entire record has a nice eclecticism. Every song is a little different but Sewell’s voice and solid writing ground the entire project. This is a true feat considering that he uses two completely different band line ups from each side of the Atlantic. Hollow actually took a little time to grow on me, but now I cannot stop listening. It’s the kind of record where you hear something new with each spin. It’s a rich tapestry of sound and soul from one of the genre’s most talented artists.
The Review: 9/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– Small Change
– As Long As I Can Breathe
– Hollow Pt1
– Hollow Pt2
– Shaky Ground
– So Tired
– As Long As I Can Breathe
– Hollow Pt1
– Hollow Pt2
– Shaky Ground
– So Tired
The Big Hit
– So Tired
