Strat-ified delights
Dan Patlansky – Oran Mor, Glasgow 7th April 2024
Dan Patlansky – Oran Mor, Glasgow 7th April 2024
After Dan Patlansky’s Glasgow show at The Stereo in the city centre last year (the opening gig of a UK club tour where the noted South African blues-rock singer-guitarist was road testing and refining a number of songs that would feature on the recently released Movin' On album), Patlansky and his band – Greg Van Kerkhof (bass, backing/ harmony vocals) & Andy Maritz (drums, backing/ harmony vocals) – made a welcome and well-received return to the Oran Mor as part of the Movin' On tour.
Messrs Patlansky, Kerkhof & Maritz kicked off proceedings with favoured set opener 'Lift Off,' which perversely, but perfectly, sits as the album closer on Movin' On.
It’s a number that grabs the attention right away – it might be an up-tempo, instrumental 12 bar rockabilly boogie in its basic framework, but it carries some interesting twists and turns, all of which help demonstrate just how tight this three-piece are (settling into a pocket from the off, such is the simpatico and chemistry).
'Lift Off' set up a performance that unsurprisingly promoted, and lent heavily on, the new album, including second number 'Red Velvet Suit' (think 50s rock and roll meets Stevie Ray Vaughan), which maintained the high tempo. Dan Patlansky tore into the solo section of the latter like a man possessed and the intensity was infectious, as evidenced by the weight of applause at the end of the number.
Messrs Patlansky, Kerkhof & Maritz kicked off proceedings with favoured set opener 'Lift Off,' which perversely, but perfectly, sits as the album closer on Movin' On.
It’s a number that grabs the attention right away – it might be an up-tempo, instrumental 12 bar rockabilly boogie in its basic framework, but it carries some interesting twists and turns, all of which help demonstrate just how tight this three-piece are (settling into a pocket from the off, such is the simpatico and chemistry).
'Lift Off' set up a performance that unsurprisingly promoted, and lent heavily on, the new album, including second number 'Red Velvet Suit' (think 50s rock and roll meets Stevie Ray Vaughan), which maintained the high tempo. Dan Patlansky tore into the solo section of the latter like a man possessed and the intensity was infectious, as evidenced by the weight of applause at the end of the number.
'Who I Am,' which followed, is a mid-paced number but, again, one delivered with intensity.
This song, which builds to a memorable chorus, is one of the highlights of the new album and indeed a highlight here, as were Dan Patlansky’s two solos (if you need bluesy reference points Patlansky has elements of the aforementioned SRV and Scott Henderson in his playing; however, with trusted powder blue Strat in hands, Patlansky is master of his own unimpeachable guitar tone and fiery licks).
'Baby’s Packin' Heat,' also from the new album, is a fairly standard slow blues, but with a clever turnaround (Patlansky was channelling his inner Hendrix in this number).
'Snake Oil City,' from previous album Shelter of Bones, provided both contrast and a change of mood, complete with smoky Jazz club feel, walking bass line, a shuffle beat and Patlansky’s (initially at least) clean guitar lead work, followed by another complex but lyrical guitar solo.
The Americana influenced title track of the new album is a departure of sorts for Dan Patlansky (similarly 'Who I Am'); a delicately created, lyrically thoughtful number, 'Movin' On' never strays from its slow but assured tempo, accompanied by well-tailored, three-part harmonies on the chorus.
Funky blues number 'Stop The Messing,' from 2016’s Introvertigo album, upped the tempo and ramped the energy back up, bolstered by tasty solos that built from quiet to intense (another set highlight).
This song, which builds to a memorable chorus, is one of the highlights of the new album and indeed a highlight here, as were Dan Patlansky’s two solos (if you need bluesy reference points Patlansky has elements of the aforementioned SRV and Scott Henderson in his playing; however, with trusted powder blue Strat in hands, Patlansky is master of his own unimpeachable guitar tone and fiery licks).
'Baby’s Packin' Heat,' also from the new album, is a fairly standard slow blues, but with a clever turnaround (Patlansky was channelling his inner Hendrix in this number).
'Snake Oil City,' from previous album Shelter of Bones, provided both contrast and a change of mood, complete with smoky Jazz club feel, walking bass line, a shuffle beat and Patlansky’s (initially at least) clean guitar lead work, followed by another complex but lyrical guitar solo.
The Americana influenced title track of the new album is a departure of sorts for Dan Patlansky (similarly 'Who I Am'); a delicately created, lyrically thoughtful number, 'Movin' On' never strays from its slow but assured tempo, accompanied by well-tailored, three-part harmonies on the chorus.
Funky blues number 'Stop The Messing,' from 2016’s Introvertigo album, upped the tempo and ramped the energy back up, bolstered by tasty solos that built from quiet to intense (another set highlight).
Dan Patlansky brought the gig to a close with two of his best-known, fan favourite numbers – ten-minute tour-de-force 'Big Things Going Down' (a video for the song went 5M viral a few years back) and the riff-tastic, foot-stomping 'Back Bite' from 2014’s Dear Silence Thieves (the album that garnered him serious attention in the UK & Europe).
It was a winning one-two salvo to end the gig with.
The former showcased Patlansky’s Strat-ified chops housed within his first love of slow blues; the latter presented the band’s ability to rock (and funk) it up with consummate ease.
(The entire set was also a reminder that while Dan Patlansky has an audience in the UK, European and South African blues-rock scenes, there is no question he deserves wider recognition).
This was another great gig from Dan Patlansky and his band but the tour, which successfully travelled from a great Cardiff show to Glasgow and many points in between, wasn’t without its unforeseen issues – sadly the Wolverhampton and Brighton gigs had to be cancelled due to both Patlansky and Greg Van Kerkhof coming down with laryngitis; both shows are looking to be rescheduled for later in the year, with the hope/ possibility of another gig or two slotted in (rescheduling time will tell).
And when he does return, particularly if you missed him this time around, and you are in the locale, make sure you catch him and his blues rock solid rhythm section buddies – this is one hot live band.
Nelson McFarlane
FabricationsHQ
Photo credits: Nelson McFarlane (b&w photo, Glasgow show); Lynda McKenna/ Lyndy Mac Photography (colour photos, Cardiff show)
It was a winning one-two salvo to end the gig with.
The former showcased Patlansky’s Strat-ified chops housed within his first love of slow blues; the latter presented the band’s ability to rock (and funk) it up with consummate ease.
(The entire set was also a reminder that while Dan Patlansky has an audience in the UK, European and South African blues-rock scenes, there is no question he deserves wider recognition).
This was another great gig from Dan Patlansky and his band but the tour, which successfully travelled from a great Cardiff show to Glasgow and many points in between, wasn’t without its unforeseen issues – sadly the Wolverhampton and Brighton gigs had to be cancelled due to both Patlansky and Greg Van Kerkhof coming down with laryngitis; both shows are looking to be rescheduled for later in the year, with the hope/ possibility of another gig or two slotted in (rescheduling time will tell).
And when he does return, particularly if you missed him this time around, and you are in the locale, make sure you catch him and his blues rock solid rhythm section buddies – this is one hot live band.
Nelson McFarlane
FabricationsHQ
Photo credits: Nelson McFarlane (b&w photo, Glasgow show); Lynda McKenna/ Lyndy Mac Photography (colour photos, Cardiff show)