Anyone who is a true fan of blues based rock and roll should be familiar with the Canadian guitar virtuoso Pat Travers and if you’re not, shame on you! Since his 1976 debut, Pat has been fueling the rock and blues fires with his passionate playing and incredible live performances. He had quite the comeback in 2012 with the release of his “Can Do” album and recorded some of his shows in February of the same year at the Iridium Club in NYC. Those shows led to this most recent release, “Live at the Iridium NYC.”
There is no better way to experience all that Pat Travers has to offer than in a live club setting and this record does an excellent job of bringing this intimate performance to the masses. Missing from the set are some of Pat’s biggest hits as the album focuses on some of his bluesier, slower numbers. The production on the album is flawless and Pat has an incredible lineup of musicians in his band including drummer Sandy Gennaro and fellow axeman Kirk McKim. It goes without saying that the guitars drive the set as Pat and Kirk play off each other like a well oiled machine trading licks and solos all night long. The set kicks off with the hard rockers “Rock and Roll Suzie” and “Gettin’ Betta” before slowing into the blues of “Crash and Burn.” There is a killer cover of the old Ray Charles number “I’ve Got News For You” and Howlin’ Wolf’s blues classic “Spoonful.” Don’t miss the end of “Ask Me Baby” where Gennaro lights things up behind the kit and the stomping groove of “If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day,” featuring Jon Paris on the Blues Harp. Pat closes the set with an audience sing a long to Ram Jam’s “Black Betty.”
In today’s day and age where rock and roll seems to be taken over by electronica and sampling, the Pat Travers Band is truly a breath of fresh air. Add this one to your collection and get a true education in how rock and the blues are supposed to be played.
