Patrick Allen is a
guitarist/vocalist/songwriter who has been part of the Minneapolis
music scene since the mid-seventies .His father and uncle were in a
popular vocal quartet in the fifties and he grew up listening to people
like the Mills Brothers, Nat King Cole and other artists of
the time. During his high school days, he played in blues and rock bands
and in the mid-seventies, he joined a funk and soul band called ‘’
Zulu’’ and he played music styles like the Doobie Brothers,
Cream, Led Zeppelin and the James Gang. After that he switched
to Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone and the Spinners.
Allen continued to play with different groups on the road and in the Twin
Cities for a while. After that he took a break to start a family. He came
back to the music scene around the millennium for writing and recording.
Patrick offers an
excellent album full of 13 good songs. He takes us on a journey through
good blues and funk by using his nice voice and great agility with his
guitar playing different rhythms in Rock & Roll, Jive, Triple Swing and
Ballads. In addition, he reinforces that with the collaborations with
excellent Minneapolis musicians like: killer horn arrangements by
Michael B. Nelson performed by his legendary section The Horn
Heads (Prince). Also featured are Hammond organ wizard Ricky
Peterson, drummers Bobby Vandell, Rob Stupka and Michael
Velasquez, pianists Tom Hunter and Scott Miller,
bassists Al Pettis and Scot Hornick and percussionist
Estaire Godinez. There are also guest vocal appearances by
Minneapolis icon Willie Walker as well as Kathleen Johnson
and Lisa Wenger.
About This CD:
I liked the majority of his songs on this album for so many reasons :
Allen handles with wonder his guitar, his voice, and that of Willie
Walker in the duet “Kind-Hearted, Good-Lovin' Woman”.
Scott Miller adds a phenomenal performance as well.
The musicianship of
Allen and his cohorts is amazing. You know each musician is at the top
of their craft and their love for music emanates in each song.
“Save It For Some Other Fool” has a great funky beat. Patrick
guitar solo shines and Ricky Peterson shows why he is one of the most
in-demand B3 organ players around. The Horn Heads lend amazing horn
lines on this track. “Only When You Are Alone”, “ ‘bout Time”,
and “Never Too Much Of You” show that Patrick Allen can
rock out. His guitar virtuosity stands out and he shows that he can
excel at so many different genres.
Scott Miller stands out
with piano prowess in “Kind-Hearted, Good Lovin’ Woman.”
Patrick Allen and Ricky Peterson combine with an outstanding blues
performance on “Let’s Get Twisted Up Together”. I love
the portion after this sentence (“when I think I can’t stand no more”)
when Allen closes with a lamenting guitar tone.
“He’s Not Me”
brings the funk and the great vocal duet between Patrick and
Kathleen Johnson. Rock and Roll is alive and it lives in Minneapolis on
the tune “Heartache Waitin’ To Happen”. Props to Steve
Strand (trumpet), Kenni Holmen (tenor sax) and Tom Hunter (piano) on
this piece.
Percussionist Estaire
Godinez lends great touches on the CD “The Answer Is Always In
You”. It is a great ballad and is a perfect complement to
another great slow jam “Not As Long As I Have This Heart”.
Patrick shows that he can really sing well and he transfers his pure
emotions in these songs. His vocal clarity is impeccable and you can
understand every word.
Overall, this is an
amazing CD and Patrick Allen is a force to be reckoned with on guitar
and vocals. Add the amazing Horn Heads (whom I love) and a cast of MPLS
geniuses and you get a truly satisfying record. You can pick up the CD
at:
