Twenty years ago Pat Travers was circumnavigating the globe bringing his brand of Hendrix/Cream-inspired rock to anyone and everyone who'd listen. On the strength of Live! Go For What You Know (1979) and Crash and Burn (1980), plus the success of hit singles like "Boom Boom, Out Go the Lights" and "Snortin' Whiskey", the Pat Travers Band gained commercial and critical praise while garnering a reputation as a top-notch live attraction.
By the early '80s, a shift in the musical landscape had taken place leaving Travers and rock music on the outside looking in as British new wave took over. However, Pat Travers held his ground, refusing to compromise his music or his reputation in order to conform for the sake of commercial success. As a result, that decade became Travers least prolific and his music, an afterthought. The '90s have since brought about a renewed interest in Travers' music due in part to the release of Blues Tracks (1992). The record featured his adrenalized guitar interpretations of classic covers like the Allman Brothers' "Statesboro Blues", Willie Dixon's "I Ain't Superstitious", ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid" and the Howlin' Wolf classic "Sitting on Top of the World".
Blue Tracks 2 utilizes the same formula. Backed by skinman extraordinaire Liberty Devitto (Billy Joel) and bassist Tim Franklin, Travers delivers his patented over-the-top vocals and searing blues lines all over classics like the Allman's "Whipping Post", Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me", and the Son House/Cream staple, "Outside Woman Blues". Also housed on the record are subdued/unorthodox versions of The Beatles' "Taxman" and Jimi Hendrix' "Purple Haze" which features an excellent volume knob interlude midway through.
Pat Travers latest release, Don't Feed the Alligators falls right in line with the Blues Tracks installments. Reaching deep into his musical vault, Travers snatches some real gems to polish as only he can. Again he is joined by Devitto, but this time out augments the line up with bassist Larry Jacoby, guitarist Tommy Calton, keyboardist Doug Bare and backing vocalist Monica Travers, giving the record a complete ensemble feel. The great moments here are many and include Travers-infused treatments of Steely Dan's "Black Friday", ZZ Top's "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide", and a bluesy version of Hendrix' "Crosstown Traffic". Travers also takes on the Hammond B-3 laden, Three Dog Night deep cut "I Can Hear You Calling", as well as providing a knockout wah-wah workout on Little Feat's "Spanish Moon" and a propulsive rendition of
Buddy Miles' "Them Changes".
Blues Tracks 2 and in particular, Don't Feed the Alligators will definitely appeal to fans of classic guitar-oriented blues/rock and serve as a repose for all of us who miss this type of music being a part of our regular radio rotation. Keep 'em comin' Pat!
