Canadian rocker Pat Travers has been making his mark on the music scene since the mid-seventies. He is the man behind one of the best live guitar albums ever released in “Live! Go For What You Know” and is responsible for hits like “Snortin’ Whiskey” and his extraordinary version of the Stan Lewis classic “Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights).” The legendary guitarist is back with a brand new release on Frontiers Records, “Can Do.”
“Can Do” takes Travers back to the classic hard rock style of his early albums but also gives us a healthy dose of melody and the blues. Pat’s guitar work is, of course, out of this world and vocally he sounds great. The rest of the band sounds tight as well with longterm co-guitarist Kirk McKim trading chops with Pat and bassist Rodney O’Quinn and drummer Sandy Gennaro holding it all together. There are typical classic rock tracks like “Stand Up” and “Long Time Gone” that will get you pumping and slower tracks like “Diamond Girl” that will have you swaying to the laidback grooves. “Keep Calm & Carry On” is an epic instrumental track and really is a showcase for what Pat and his band do best. A surprise track is a cover version of the Eurythmics’s song “Here Comes the Rain.” Pat’s version is completely different with a great guitar intro and different pace that caught me by surprise. The song features Pat’s wife Monica helping out on the vocals and is not to be missed.
“Can Do” is a terrific rock and roll record from a true guitar legend. My advice is to “Keep Calm & Carry On” and pick up a copy of this record!
