Review | Pat Travers ‘Putting It Straight’

Putting It Straight

Canadian born rocker Pat Travers put together a hard rockin’ power trio consisting of Pat Travers (guitar/vocals), Peter ‘Mars’ Cowling (bass) and Nicko McBrain (who joined the band for their second record on drums).

Check out the video below featuring this lineup playing the song ‘Hooked On Music‘ from the album of the same name in 1977 below.

After playing in local bands in his home country around the Quebec area in his early teens, Travers relocated to London. After releasing his self titled debut ‘Pat Travers‘ in 1976 and second record ‘Makin’ Magic‘ in 1977 Travers released his third studio record Putting It Straight in 1977 on Polydor Records.

This is the record where I discovered Pat Travers. Although I did go back to appreciate his first two records, this was the one for me. Hard rocking songs that featured Pat’s soulful vocals and masterful guitar virtuosity. Peter ‘Mars’ Cowling was a monster on bass and Nick McBrain (who went on to play drums in Iron Maiden) added a sophisticated style of drumming that made ‘Putting It Straight‘ a no non-sense kick ass record.

First of all the album cover…what a cool album cover depicting Travers auditioning for an old Hollywood type agent sipping his coffee while smoking a big stogie right in his office decked out with pictures of stars from the silver screen from days gone by. Travers has set up shop in this guys office with his Gibson guitar cranked through a Marshall stack, multiple Marshall heads, his Echoplex and foot pedal effects and proceeds to blow the guy away and destroy his office which is depicted on the back of the cover, very cool.

Putting It Straight hits you right between the eyes with the opener ‘Life In London‘ no doubt from Travers experiences in London during the start of Punk Rock. The lyrics from the song described exactly how I and I believe Pat felt about this new music and the look of the bands playing it, “Razor blades and safety pins, you look like a clown.”

The next tune “It Ain’t What It Seems” features some tricky starts and stops along with big gang vocal harmonies that added a big full vocal sound to this song. And Travers powers through a couple nicely played solo’s. The next track ‘Speakeasy‘ picks it up again with Travers gritty vocals and the tempo changes that allows Pat to trade licks with guest guitarist Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy fame. Then the band tears into the scifi fueled ‘Runnin’ From The Future.’ I don’t know why I say ‘Scifi fueled’ but for some reason this song just had a feel and sound that reminded me of a Scifi movie. “Lovin’ You” has a big Leslie drivin’ keyboard sound that mellows things out a bit and showcases Travers song writing ability and vocal melodies. “Offbeat Ride” the next song, an instrumental, was just that, an offbeat ride. It featured some mini moog keyboard work (played by guest musician Tony Carey), a sax solo (by another guest player Bert Hermitson) and this baby really grooved.

Next the tricky track ‘Gettin’ Betta‘ laced with jazzy chords, hard hitting riffs and complicated changes featuring the rhythm section of Cowling and McBrain as they maneuver through multiple starts and stops as Travers gracefully solo’s over them. Gotta love the lyrics ‘Gettin’ better, better all the time, all the time, Irish Setter settin’ all the time.” More keyboards lead off the albums closing song “Dedication Parts 1 & 2” which is an epic tune that seems to transform into another song altogether. The blending of Travers guitar and keyboard playing adds a nice texture to this song. Hermitson soulful sax solo really hits the mark as Travers follows it with a tastey guitar solo. Overall this is one of Pat Travers finest efforts that definitely makes it a Choice Album.

Putting It Straight Track Listing:

1. Life In London – 4:22
2. It Ain’t What It Seems – 4:13
3. Speakeasy – 3:18
4. Runnin’ From The Future – 3:47
5. Lovin’ You – 4:03
6. Off Beat Ride – 4:36
7. Gettin’ Betta – 4:45
8. Dedication Parts 1 & 2 – 7:55

Personnel:

* Peter ‘Mars’ Cowling – bass
* Nicko McBrain – drums
* Pat Travers – guitar, keyboard, vocals

Additional personnel

* Tony Carey – mini moog (Off Beat Ride)
* Scott Gorham – additional guitar (Speakeasy)
* Bert Hermitson – saxophone (Dedication, Off Beat Ride)
* Susie McKinley – background vocals (Lovin’ You)