PATTO
Jazz Rock/Fusion • United Kingdom
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website
Patto was a progressive jazz-rock band formed in England in 1970 formed by vocalist Mike Patto with a lineup taken from TIMEBOX consisting of vocalist Patto, drummer John Halsey, guitarist and vibraphone player Ollie Halsall and bassist Clive Griffiths. In 1970, Patto was formed using members of Timebox and was signed to the newly formed Vertigo label. With Muff Winwood as producer, they recorded their first album live in studio in an attempt to capture the raw virtuosity of Ollie Halsall's guitar playing and Mike Patto's voice, the latter having a voice between Rod Stewart and Paul Rodgers. The album Patto although not a commercial success is thought by some to be an important contribution to prog rock. In December 1971, Patto entered the studio again to record their second album Hold Your Fire after which they were dropped from the Vertigo roster. Despite poor record sales they were becoming known an exciting live act. Through his connections in England Muff Winwood was able to have the band signed to Island and they recorded the album Roll 'em Smoke 'em Put Another Line Out during 1972.
In 1973, the band began to record their fourth album. Mike Patto used more of his songs which were less cynical than the usual Patto material and much more commercial. The ensuing album Monkey's Bum was not released (until 1995). Without Halsall and with each member now involved in other projects Mike Patto chose to disband Patto, going on to form BOXER with Halsall. Olie Halsall would soon go on to later in John HISEMAN's TEMPEST, but the young guitar wizard would find an untimely death, later on in the 70?s.
:::: Bio la�rtgely inspired from Wikipedia :::::
PATTO Videos (YouTube and more)
Showing only random 3 | Show all PATTO videos (1) | Search and add more videos to PATTO
Buy PATTO Music
-
DOUG LARSON IMPORTS — Buy prog rock music and rarities (Free shipping on orders over 10 CD's)
- AMAZON.COM — Best-selling prog vinyls
PATTO discography
Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums
PATTO top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
3.88 | 66 ratings
Patto 1970 |
3.47 | 43 ratings
Hold Your Fire 1971 |
2.84 | 24 ratings
Roll 'em Smoke 'em Put Another Line Out 1972 |
3.22 | 16 ratings
Monkey's Bum 1999 |
PATTO Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
2.33 | 5 ratings
Warts And All 2000 |
PATTO Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)
PATTO Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
4.85 | 8 ratings
Sense Of The Absurd 1995 |
4.95 | 3 ratings
Hanging Rope - BBC Sessions And Rare Tracks (1970-1971) 2015 |
PATTO Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)
PATTO Reviews
Showing last 10 reviews only
Patto Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by Nickmannion
Patto was the singer (Mike) but he was outshone, intentionally or otherwise, by the genius guitar of Ollie Halsall. I like Pattos phrasing/voice and if you imagine a far less overwrought Joe Cocker but with a conversationalist/story telling style then you are in the same room.
The opening track (The Man) is subtle as. A deceptively relaxed feel is offset by unexpected progressions and inverted dyad chordings from Halsall before a vibes section (very Family) lulls you back ...although they don't settle for anything as bourgeoise as repetition of a riff/theme because sudden time changes and stops behind the vibes throws it slightly off kilter. Your attention should be grabbed already. Hold Me Back offers surprising modulations in the verse and then back down for the chorus, Time To Die is the acoustic track and suits Pattos vocal style. Anyhow, it was practically the law in 1970 to have a hard/blues/rock track or two on a long haired album and Patto do it in style with Red Glow and Halsalls solos are enhanced by the odd jazz run rather than blues bends and are casually faster than say an Alvin Lee...as if speed matters. They throw in a rock n roll pastiche on San Antone but with that knowing wink of jazz progressions tossed in when least expected. Money Bag is the 'take notice' track. Halsall goes full jazz rock re his guitar and leaves ...looking at the date...say Larry Coryell and others in the dust (I confess off hand I don't know what Holdsworth was up to in 1970 post 'Igginbottom) and the nearest I have heard is a current PA artist omission Ray Russell and his '71 album Rites & Rituals where a free jazz/Ornette Coleman styling is included. This continues to the bonus track of Hanging Rope where a near 6 min Halsall jazz rock guitar fest introduction is offered up before the verse/chorus before 'back to you Ollie' for another 5 mins then a reprise of v&c and 'the end'. 15 minutes of laying untouched and unheard in the vaults for 25-30 years heaven.
I understand why it appears to be a 3.85 average rating as it isn't out and out whichever section you want to file it under. But 45 years of listening (a mates older brother gave me the album 'cos its cr*p' in '79ish....I know a Vertigo swirl in great condition but worth about two pence back then!) and discovering the subtleties and understanding the guitar especially and now having (or had and got rid of enough) 1970 contemporary albums to compare it to...it still grows in my estimation.
Patto Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
Patto Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by Psychedelic Paul
Alright Now, it's time to meet "The Man" for our opening song. It's a slow tempo heavy blues number with the gravelly-voiced soulful singer Mike Patto sounding like he regularly eats sandpaper for breakfast. The music is nicely laid-back, with a similar sound to some of the slower gutsy songs by Paul Rodgers and Free. The song also has the added bonus of a Jazzy instrumental interlude featuring the lustrous sound of the vibraphone, which glides softly over the listener like gossamer caresses. If you were to throw a coin in the Wishing Well and hope for a soulful and bluesy Free-like number to open a Jazz- Rock album, then "The Man" is exactly what you would get. The second song "Hold Me Back" is a storming Blues-Rock song with a punchy rhythm section but without any of the Jazzy elements heard in the opening song. There's no holding back the electric guitarist on this bluesy number, as he demonstrates some frenetic finger-licking prowess on the fretboard. Onto Song No. 3 now and "It's all behind, it's time to rest, it's time to die" ..... Those are the opening lyrics to "Time To Die", so this song isn't exactly bursting with joyous optimism and happiness. The long-haired singer Mike Patto looks and sounds not unlike soulful David Coverdale of Deep Purple in the YouTube video that accompanies the song. If you're in the mood for some mean and moody British blues, then the raw and earthy "Time To Die" might be just your cup of tea (taken without milk and sugar). Get ready for some red-hot duelling guitars in "Red Glow", a song which brings to mind the classic dual guitar leads of Wishbone Ash. The guitarist with Patto might not have an awesome "Flying V" guitar like Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash, but he can still make it perform virtual aerobatics with some stunning Stratocaster guitar licks.
Having found a YT video for "Time To Die" on Side One, we're doubly-blessed with a Live YouTube video for "San Antone", the opening song on Side Two. This song is an all-out raucous rocker with a pile-driving rhythm which barrels along relentlessly for three minutes with barely enough time for the band to come up for air. This group of London guys sound just like a bunch of good old boys from San Antonio, Texas in this pounding Southern Rock number. The only thing missing in the YT video are the long beards of ZZ Top, forever remembered as the hirsute Texas trio whose drummer Frank Beard is the only member without a beard! The 6th song "Government Man" is a fairly routine bluesy number with a laid-back mellow groove. The song is nothing to do with a G-Man from the F.B.I. though. No, it's a sad and sorry tale of a family about to lose their home to the government man of the title. The song might be back-to-basics British blues, but it still beats most of what passes for popular music on the radio these days. Forget Bieber Fever - this is what REAL music sounds like! The next song "Money Bag" is the longest piece of music on the album, running at around ten minutes long. It's also the Jazziest tune on the album, where the extended running time allows ample time for some wild improvisational experimentation. The first six minutes is one of those Love/Hate pieces of music, where you'll either love it for the technical wizardry to be heard from a group of accomplished musicians at the top of their game, or you'll hate it for what sounds to your ears like "a tuneless mess". Either way, the last four minutes is a return to some sense of normality for the standard double-four-time British blues formula to be heard on earlier songs. Are you sitting comfortably? We're "Sittin' Back Easy" (with no "g") now for the final song from Patto's debut. It's a two-part piece of music with a deceptively quiet opening to put one in a relaxed and mellow frame of mind. There's no time to rest on our laurels though, as the opening just serves as a prelude for some powerful Blues-Rock which slowly gathers in pace, exploding out into a storming crescendo of sound for the magnificent finale. It's a four-minute-long album highlight.
Patto have stormed onto the Jazz-Rock stage in impressive style with this powerful bluesy debut which packs a mighty punch!
Patto Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
"The Man" is a surprisingly laid back opener with tasteful guitar, a beat and reserved vocals. Some vibes around 2 1/2 minutes as the vocals and guitar step aside and they return just before 4 minutes. It does turn fuller and we get more passionate vocals with active drumming late. "Hold Me Back" has more energy to it but it's still a straight forward song with the focus on the vocals mostly. Some really nice guitar from around 2 minutes in to before 3 1/2 minutes when the vocals return. It's okay.
"Time To Die" has these acoustic guitar melodies and fragile vocals but drums and bass join in quickly. A folky tune. "Red Glow" has this sixties sounding guitar intro as the bass and drums support and vocals join in. The vocals stop at 1 1/2 minutes as the guitar lets it rip for about a minute. This happens again 4 minutes in. "San Antone" opens with guitar, bass and drums as they sort of stutter along as vocals join in and man this sounds lame. Commercial drivel.
"Government Man" is a song where the focus is on the story. "Money Bag" really comes across as Free Jazz the way we get such an unmelodic soundscape, especially the relentless guitar that is so annoying. This goes on unmercifully until it ends just before 6 1/2 minutes! The vocals and calm take over at this point. This is somewhat jazzy and whimsical really the rest of the way. "Sittin' Back Easy" ends it and we get a folky vibe here until it turns fuller with more passionate vocals. Contrasts continue until we get some nice guitar work after 3 minutes.
Should get some hate mail over this one but I really don't get the appeal and no they shouldn't have been more popular than they were.
Patto Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
friso
Prog Reviewer
The band seems to be able to connect masterful musicianship in both jazz rock and hard rock. As a guitar player I am wildly impressed by Halsall's fierce playing through jazz chords and rhythms. Mike Patto is one of the best live singers with a voice as good as Paul Rodgers or Joe Cocker in their heydays. The songs are just vehicles for shamelessly exposing their musicality and interplay, without ever feeling forced or stern. These recordings breath a wild enthusiasm that one can only find in '67-'72 rock recordings of groups like Hendrix, Zeppelin, Free and The Who.
The quality of the recordings differs, but is mostly very nice and authentic on a higher volume in the living room. Remastered very well. Their are two 'off air' recordings that will invoke instant skip reactions, why print those on a record between well recorded songs? Still the damage is easily dealt with. The first side has the march 1971 BBC recordings which are all perfect. Side two has the June 1971 BBC recordings which are all brilliant except for the off air recording of Hanging Rope. Side three has two great tracks (Love Me, Government Man) and closes with an off air recording (skip) and LP outtake 'Beat the Drum' which I also can live without. Side four has some more LP outtakes which sound great (album recordings), but aren't as interesting as the BBC live recordings.
In summary. First record is great except for the last track and the third side has two great tracks as opening. My rating is based on these recordings. Among the best rock recordings of history in my opinion. And how did the BBC manage to get these well recorded performances? Unbelievable. I can therefor warmly recommend this release!
Recommended to listeners of heavy prog, hard rock, jazz rock, BBC session and British rock greatness in general.
Patto Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
friso
Prog Reviewer
Often listed as progressive rock, I would rather call it an early hard rock record with jazz influences and very inventive rock musicianship. This doesn't sound like other progressive rock acts at all.
The record has amazing musicianship. The drummer (John Halsey) is brilliant in his subtleties and his jazz-influenced style is extremely rare in rock of this age. The guitar (Ollie Halsal) is played full and inventive, hiding the fact that this is an album with only four instruments. On the second side the free-jazz Money bag runs a bit too long, but the guitar solo's are amazing! The vocals of Mike Patto are among the better of it's day and it makes one wonder why this record wasn't picked up by the mainstream rock audiance. It was probably a bit too sophisticated.
Perhaps the songs on the first side are a bit catchier then some on the second side, but this is a very interesting record nontheless. The performances are very exciting! The recording quality is very good as well. Four stars for now. Perhaps more in the near future. Recommended to listeners of hard rock - progressive crossovers, jazz-rock, strong vocal performances and brilliant musicianship.
Patto Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
stefro
Prog Reviewer
STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012
Patto Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
stefro
Prog Reviewer
Patto Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
Nightfly
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
Patto's music was an adventurous blend of rock and jazz with a bit of blues thrown in now and then for good measure. Any guitar enthusiast cannot fail to be impressed by the dazzling and inventive playing of Ollie Halsall, surely one of the most criminally overlooked guitar hero's deserving of far more recognition than he gets. In Mike Patto they had a great singer in the rock tradition with powerful and gritty tones though capable of subtle restraint. The versatile rhythm section of Clive Giffith's (bass) and John Halsey (drums) cannot be underrated and form an essential and dynamic base for Halsall's guitar excursions, laying down a solid foundation or equally at home playing subtler jazz patterns.
The music contained on these two discs is pretty much the essential Patto, their first two albums being easily the best of the four available. I've already done detailed reviews of these albums individually so instead I'll concentrate on the bonus material. Of the four tracks three of them capture the band in their more jazz orientated territory. Hanging Rope which appears at the end of the first disc is the first of these. At almost fifteen minutes long, although containing some vocals it's largely instrumental in a similar vein to Money Bag. It has the feel of a jam but reaches some fantastic highs with some particularly blistering guitar work from Halsall. At the end of the second disc Beat The Drum features no guitar with Halsall playing vibes (and a little piano) instead. It's a pretty sparse sound but with some excellent playing from all and jazzy vocals from Patto, works well. Bad News also features vibes but introduces some guitar after a restrained start. It's a more rocky song with jazzy overtones and builds nicely with a strong melody. Finally Air Raid Shelter closes with an alternative version of the most jazz orientated cut of the Hold Your Fire album. It's perhaps not quite as good as the original but not vastly different either.
Unless you're particularly bothered about having the original artwork of these first two albums (I also have them both on CD in lovely LP replica gatefold sleeves) then this is probably the best way to own them. Not only for the superior sound quality; this version is taken from the original master tapes; but also for the bonus tracks included which while not essential for the casual listener certainly are for the dedicated Patto fan.
Patto Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
Nightfly
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
Despite the poor quality it's clear that the band put on an enjoyable though not perfect performance and each instrument can be heard clearly enough at least. They run through a selection of the jazz/rock tracks that appears on their first two and best albums as well as a few tracks that weren't like the rock n' roll standards Let It Rock and Route 66. Despite a great guitar solo from Ollie Halsall on Let It Rock I nearly always find these sort of cover versions a bit tedious. Much better are the Patto originals: the laid back You, You Point Your Finger although an unusual choice to kick things off is played in fine style. There's the jazz orientated tracks like Money Bag, Magic Door and Air Raid Shelter. Magic Door is perhaps the best of the three. Of the rockier moments after a ropey start San Antone features another excellent Halsall solo. Government Man, Tell Me Where You've Been and Sitting Back Easy also all make welcome appearances.
It's a shame that this is the only official live recording available of this excellent and under appreciated band. Despite the ropey quality I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to buy this cd which has now long since sold out. In accordance with the PA rating system I can't award it more than 2 stars but for fans of the band, for the music and performance 3 � stars.