After the release of ‘Makin’ Magic’, Pat Travers was inspired to release another album during 1977: ‘Putting It Straight’, the LP featured the same power trio lineup from earlier in the year, with a number of guests involved.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Pat Travers
ALBUM: Putting It Straight
LABEL: Polydor
SERIAL: PD-1-6121
YEAR: 1977
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada, UK
LINEUP: Pat Travers – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards * Pete ‘Mars’ Cowling – bass * Nicko McBrain – drums
Additional Musicians: Scott Gorham – guitar * Tony Carey – synthesizer * Suzie McKinley – backing vocals * Bert Hermiston – sax
TRACK LISTING: 01 Life In London * 02 It Ain’t What It Seems * 03 Speakeasy * 04 Runnin’ From The Future * 05 Lovin’ You * 06 Off Beat Ride * 07 Getting’ Betta * 08 Dedication
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
After the release of ‘Makin’ Magic’, Pat Travers was inspired to release another album during 1977: ‘Putting It Straight’. The LP featured the same power trio lineup from earlier in the year, with a number of guests involved (refer above).
Considering Pat was a reasonable songwriter (even though in a later Guitar Player interview he claims he was only average), he was able to release two album’s worth of material within a year, writing all the songs for this LP, along with one co-write with bassist Mars Cowling. There are two versions of this LP with a correct and incorrect track title sequencing. We’ll use the original sequence from Polydor’s original pressing.
The Songs
‘Life In London’ is a powerful start, chugging guitars at the ready, and smoking along in typical 70’s boogie fashion. ‘Speakeasy’ is another fiery guitar workout, featuring Scott Gorham from Thin Lizzy on additional guitars.
‘Running From The Future’ is more of a straight-forward rocker, but builds nicely toward something climactic from the two minute mark onward.. Interestingly, ‘Lovin’ You’ is full of nice organ work from Travers, making this the most melodic effort on the LP.
Planet P main-man Tony Carey drops in with a brief moog excursion on ‘Off Beat Ride’, so too the sax solo courtesy of Bert Hermiston. ‘Gettin’ Betta’ is a return to Travers blues/boogie work, while the closing ‘Dedication’ is a near eight minute opus, with loads of keyboard/organ giving this a near progressive rock veneer.
In Summary
The following year, Travers would return to North America, making Florida his new home. The UK was going through the punk and new wave scene, and Pat Travers (and Band) were not getting anywhere in their pursuit. This was probably a good move, as Pat’s new lineup would make steady gains into the North American market from this point onward.
Pat Travers on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
