Not long after leaving Canada and moving to London, Travers secured a contract with Polydor records, and this was the first album of that contract. A mixture of originals and covers, it a good solid album that showcases Pat’s great playing skills. I managed to catch him on this tour to promote the album in a small club in my hometown. That’s where Pat has to be seen, the live performance was always killer expanding the songs from the albums.
Opening track, Stop An Smile, is a song that was written back in Canada and fleshed out here. A solid opening track with some tasty playing. The same can be said of second track, Feelin’ Right, another good tune with great vocal from Pat. The first of the covers is next, Magnolia by JJ Cale, and it slows things right down. You forget what a soulful voice Pat has. Side 1 closes with a Travers classic that he still plays today, Makes No Difference. A great tune with a couple of well placed groove and key changes to take it up a notch – plus a nice solo.
Side 2 starts with another cover and crowd sing-a-long favourite, Boom Boom Out Go The Lights. Another cover next with the Chuck Berry classic, Mabelline, and the final cover, Hot Rod Lincoln, which is just a novelty piece. The final two tracks are originals. As My Life Flies, a fairly standard song with some nice key changes to keep it interesting, and Medley Parts 1 and 2. A nice way to end the album, with an instrumental opening for Part 1 that changes into a funky groove for the second half, and then back to a killer instrumental section before the song ends.
Not a bad first attempt, and the second album would be a monster record.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
