Reviews roundup – Dan Patlansky vs. Hamilton Loomis vs. RatRod

Reviews roundup – Dan Patlansky vs. Hamilton Loomis vs. RatRod

DAN PATLANSKY
Perfection Kills
independent

He’s not long finished a UK tour supporting Joanne Shaw Taylor, his last album, 2016’s critically acclaimed “Introvertigo”, was voted #1 Blues Rock Album 2016 by Blues Rock Review and now South African singer-songwriter and guitarist, Dan Patlansky, is back with a new album.

And it’s another good one. He’s not messed about with his sound, apart from self producing for the first time in a long while. Instead, he’s stuck to his blues tinged classic rock sound. It’s a sound that’s also full of pop melodies, so it’s unlikely to upset anyone. Things kick off with the poppy ‘Johnny’, although even that boasts a fine funky riff. But it’s also got a big hook which is instantly memorable. Well played, fella.

‘Never Long Enough’ is the first of the pop tunes, a mellow tune with a piano hook that is built for radio, so hopefully Radio 2 will jump on that one. But I’m an old rocker so I was sitting there expectantly and then ‘Mayday’ came churning out the speakers. A proper classic rock tune which really showcases his vocals. ‘Junket Man’ is also quite a grubby little number with another funky riff and ‘Shake The Cage’ will please the blues rock fans who might wander in here.

It’s another excellent set from Mr Patlansky who should be a lot bigger Over Here. Get yourself sorted and give this a listen.  No video, as yet, for the new album, so here’s an oldie.

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HAMILTON LOOMIS
Basics
Ham-Bone

Here’s someone else who likes to blur the edges a bit. He’s moved on a long way from his Blind Pig blues roots and this ninth album sees him showcasing funk, soul, pop and more.

As on his last few releases this is the sort of music than fans of Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed and Mayer Hawthorne would feel very comfortable with. It’s a timeless sound, albeit one with a 21st century production and it fair leaps out the speaker at you in vibrant fashion.

It’s another set of originals, although he has called upon the services of Grammy award winning songwriter Tommy Sims for a handle of co-writes. Mr Loomis also plays everything bar the drums in finest show off fashion, although he manages to hand over some musical duties on a couple of tracks. Songwise, things kick off with the funky ‘Sugar Baby’ and it’s a strutter of a start. Elsewhere he tends to stick to a mellow groove with most of the album in mid-tempo mode. But it doesn’t really matter when the songs are as good as the ones he’s fashioned here. There is a big ballad that would have hit single written all over it a few decades back in the shape of ‘Breaking Down’.

Best of the bunch, though, is ‘Come And Get Me’. It’s a song that reeks of the seventies when bands used to stretch out and showboat a little. It’s still smooth and funky, but every second of the seven minutes is a groove that just grabs you. A real treat of a record.

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RATROD
Do You Remember Rock and Roll?
independent

That’s a really terrible name for a band, by the way. Although at least it means you’ll be found if someone tries to Bing you. Unlike the album title which was, of course, on the Ramones album “End of the Century”.

Thankfully they don’t have that much in common with da bruvvers apart from a basic approach to both rock and roll. Which isn’t that surprising as guitarist and co-writer Mark McCarty also plies his trade in an AC/DC covers band called Over/Dose.

But this is all original material bar a visit to Australia and the Angels (Angel City) album “Face To Face” for a run through their Marseilles number. But basically they stick to the raunch and roll purveyed by Acca Dacca, Rose Tattoo and their followers. So it’s balls to the wall rock and roll from start to finish. They sound like a really good bar band that would be well served by a basement and a couple of hundred drunk bikers who would lap up numbers like ‘Rat Like Me’ and (my favourite) ‘Ride It (Like Ya Stole It)’. Vocally I’m reminded of David Roach from Junkyard and they operate in a similar field og grubby, blues tinged, rough as hell, rock and roll. Which is, officially, a Very Good Thing.

You might listen to it too often on a school night but if you’re getting beered up, ready to go bruising, then this will get you in the mood.

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St Columba’s Hospice Tribute Fund for Linda Hamilton
http://linda.hamilton.muchloved.com/
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