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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Patto formed like may bands in the late 60's early 70's out of the ashes of the pretty obscure Timebox, but singer Mike Patto had been doing the rounds for some time when this album was released. Joined by the virtuoso and amazingly talented Ollie Halsall on guitar, as well as the excellent rhythm section of John Halsey on drums and Clive Griffiths on bass, Patto play a form of advanced bluesy rock with a very large helping of jazz improvisation which gives the music far more character than a lot of the bands on the circuit of that time. When playing this album the other day, a mate commented "who's this..........Frank Zappa?", to which I replied, no, it's someone you'll never have heard of, but everyone should hear this labum if they like quality guitar playing. Moments on this album are truly amazing, making me listen intently, gasp and even laugh at times at the audacity and originality of the guitar playing. Mike Patto has a great rock voice to perfectly match the overall sound and all in all this is a fine album, essential in my opinion if you are keen on discovering every aspect of the rock boom of the greaest period music has so far known.
Five stars for sure, it's been a regular on my playlist since I bought it.
As for the other review on here, what is this bloke on about, my reply to him would be do some research first and then open your ears a bit more next time!
Five stars for sure, it's been a regular on my playlist since I bought it.
As for the other review on here, what is this bloke on about, my reply to him would be do some research first and then open your ears a bit more next time!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is the third time I've bought this album; The original vinyl and the Sense of the Absurd Double set of this and its successor (Hold Your Fire). First of all, the 'Repertoire' reissue is a faithful replica of the sleeve, right down to the textured finish. Considering that original copies of the vinyl now change hands for upwards of £60, this is the closest you're going to get to the feel of the original. Sonically, it's far superior to the Sense of the Absurd set and also the Original Vertigo Swirl vinyl. I think it's been remixed and certainly has more reverb than the original, which always sounded a bit muffled and flat to me.
The opener, 'The Man' is one of those tracks that grabs you. It starts off nice and laid back, and has a tasteful vibraphone section from Ollie. But by the end, Mike, Clive, John and Ollie have transformed it into an amazing Rocker before your ears.
'Hold Me Back' is a wonderfully cheeky song, which is perhaps the most representative of their humour. 'Time to Die' follows that up and featuring acoustic guitar in the opening section is a nice contrast from the hard-edged rock of Hold Me Back. The closer of the original side one 'Red Glow' is more of the harder edged rock. Side 2's first number is the much more up-tempo 'San Antoine' which has a very strong jazz flavour. 'Government Man' is a much more laid back contrast, in a similar vein to 'The Man'. Perhaps the most jazz-based is the 10 minute 'Money Bag'. The original album ends with the fabulously stand-out 'Sittin Back Easy' which for me is one of the best rock tracks ever. Perhaps one day some car manufacturer will use it in an adverting campaign, but until then it remains a hidden gem.
Included is a 15 minute bonus track called 'Hanging Rope' which opens with an amazing Halsey extended Drum Solo. This track first surfaced on the Sense of the Absurd set and was a genuine find when it was discovered in 1995 because it was not credited to any of the Pattos tapes in the vaults.
All in all, Patto's first album is a masterpiece. Recorded in 1970. Ollie Halsall literally had only been playing guitar for three years before this album was made. A lefthanded player, his fluid hammer-ons are a joy to hear. Sadly Mike died in '79 and while Ollie and John had a little bit of mainstream exposure in Eric Idle/Neil Innes' 'Rutles' project (Ollie sang all the 'Dirk McQuigley' parts and played guitar for the recordings; and featured for 2 seconds in the film as 'Leppo' the fifth Rutle; Halsey played drummer 'Barry Wom'), Ollie died in 1992 after being Kevin Ayers' side man for a number of years. Both Clive and John were involved in a car accident travelling back from a gig which leaves Clive hospitalised with no memory of the band to this day; and John with a limp.
Patto were and are musicians' musicians, yet their talent never gave the mainstream success that such talent truly deserves. If you've not heard them, you owe it to yourself to have a listen.
The opener, 'The Man' is one of those tracks that grabs you. It starts off nice and laid back, and has a tasteful vibraphone section from Ollie. But by the end, Mike, Clive, John and Ollie have transformed it into an amazing Rocker before your ears.
'Hold Me Back' is a wonderfully cheeky song, which is perhaps the most representative of their humour. 'Time to Die' follows that up and featuring acoustic guitar in the opening section is a nice contrast from the hard-edged rock of Hold Me Back. The closer of the original side one 'Red Glow' is more of the harder edged rock. Side 2's first number is the much more up-tempo 'San Antoine' which has a very strong jazz flavour. 'Government Man' is a much more laid back contrast, in a similar vein to 'The Man'. Perhaps the most jazz-based is the 10 minute 'Money Bag'. The original album ends with the fabulously stand-out 'Sittin Back Easy' which for me is one of the best rock tracks ever. Perhaps one day some car manufacturer will use it in an adverting campaign, but until then it remains a hidden gem.
Included is a 15 minute bonus track called 'Hanging Rope' which opens with an amazing Halsey extended Drum Solo. This track first surfaced on the Sense of the Absurd set and was a genuine find when it was discovered in 1995 because it was not credited to any of the Pattos tapes in the vaults.
All in all, Patto's first album is a masterpiece. Recorded in 1970. Ollie Halsall literally had only been playing guitar for three years before this album was made. A lefthanded player, his fluid hammer-ons are a joy to hear. Sadly Mike died in '79 and while Ollie and John had a little bit of mainstream exposure in Eric Idle/Neil Innes' 'Rutles' project (Ollie sang all the 'Dirk McQuigley' parts and played guitar for the recordings; and featured for 2 seconds in the film as 'Leppo' the fifth Rutle; Halsey played drummer 'Barry Wom'), Ollie died in 1992 after being Kevin Ayers' side man for a number of years. Both Clive and John were involved in a car accident travelling back from a gig which leaves Clive hospitalised with no memory of the band to this day; and John with a limp.
Patto were and are musicians' musicians, yet their talent never gave the mainstream success that such talent truly deserves. If you've not heard them, you owe it to yourself to have a listen.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first heard this album a couple of years after it came out.
As I recall, trac 9 was not on the original vinyl release.
I concur with the other Chris, Halsall's guitar and Patto's voice are a force of nature, shame they lapsed into comic-rock later on ("Roll 'em smoke 'em" being a potentially good set spoilt by schoolboy smut and inanities, although I still hear mates saying "Bring me the crow's nest" and "Pass the Scurvy" whenever they take a boat out).
I recently heard this again for the first time in maybe 30 years, and the guitar work on "Money Bag" still makes my brain hurt.
Great stuff, have just ordered a copy.
As I recall, trac 9 was not on the original vinyl release.
I concur with the other Chris, Halsall's guitar and Patto's voice are a force of nature, shame they lapsed into comic-rock later on ("Roll 'em smoke 'em" being a potentially good set spoilt by schoolboy smut and inanities, although I still hear mates saying "Bring me the crow's nest" and "Pass the Scurvy" whenever they take a boat out).
I recently heard this again for the first time in maybe 30 years, and the guitar work on "Money Bag" still makes my brain hurt.
Great stuff, have just ordered a copy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A must have album
I had to buy this reissue, I've loved the album since a friend gave me the Sense of the absurd reissue back in the 90s as a gift, but I always thought the mastering sounded a... Read more
Published 14 months ago by L. T. Ford
The Late, Great Mike Patto
What a loss Mike`s Talent was to us all, and anyone who hears him cannot fail to feel the depths of emotion and technical brilliance of the man! Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2008 by S. Webb
Not as good as the Bald Eagle
Unfortunately, one feels that the youthful promise of Patto, tempered as it is by the drive and forcefulness which is clearly evident, simply cannot compete with the grandeur,... Read more
Published on 5 April 2007 by Jim West
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