Pat Travers Statesboro Blues - Solo Analysis

[@charleypizazz5787]

So nice to see PT getting some attention! This album has been in my play rotation pretty steady since about 1980.

[@derekclacton]

Nice one, John! The intro solo is by Pat Travers - Robbo (yes, of Thin Lizzy) plays the next solo (Travers says “Take it Brian”). Incidentally, Thin Lizzy’s Scott Gorham played lead on “Speakeasy” on Travers’ next album, Putting it Straight.

[@irishwarhammer9388]

Bro, this record changed my life back in 77. PT and UFO saved the 70s for me😊🤘🤘

[@katherinenewsome7246]

Nice one John. Good so see the much overlooked Pat getting some attention. I met Pat Travers when he was playing his first UK gigs in 1976, fresh off the plane from Canada and having had his Les Paul stolen along the way. I socialised with Pat and the other members of the Pat Travers Band in those early days until shortly before the release of Making Magic. As a girl guitarist, I was something of a curiosity and the butt of many a joke back then. I remember being blown away by the energy and stripped down power of Pat’s eponymous 1976 album, recorded very shortly after his arrival and played I think exclusively on a Telecaster Custom model PT got as a stopgap replacement for his stolen Les Paul and used for all his early UK gigs until he acquired his retrofitted humbucker equipped Gibson Melody Maker sometime in ‘77. I have a vague recollection that Statesboro Blues was actually recorded in the sessions for that first album. If you haven’t heard it, the track ‘Makes No Difference’ from the first album is simply superb, bass player Pete’s contribution being outstanding. I can definitely confirm that the intro solo on Statesboro was played by Pat himself and he would almost certainly have used his very early version MXR Distortion +.

[@daviddalziel884]

Brian Robertson worked in a guitar shop in Glasgow where I bought my first decent guitar Saw Pat live and Nicko was his drummer back then . Heat On The Street is a good album too .

[@hansbig7550]

"Take it Brian" Pat shouts during this number...

[@bazthegoalie]

Hi John I remember seeing Pat at the Middlesborough Town Hall down in theCrypt mid 70s he was supporting Groundhogs the thing I remember is that he did a couple of encores because we did not want him to stop songs included Booom Boom. it took groundhogs along time to get the crowd back, they started off by playing new songs which most of the crowd did not know so they had to resort back to the classics Cherry Red and Split part 1&2 great night.

[@stewartlancaster2745]

Hi John, too many moons ago I recall seeing Pat Travers supporting Thin Lizzy back in the 70's so maybe that's why Robo got involved in the studio album....cheers for this, just before I go Pat was chucking out cardboard guitars into the audience....

[@NicoViergever]

Loved it, John. Used to be a fan of Travers.

[@DrWrapperband]

Cool, just bought some more Pat Travis LPs in a Discogs spurge.

[@calbrockocat8728]

Gotta love harmony solos!

[@petergoddard1960]

Nice one John. An old Blind Willie McTell tune. I have this Travers album and the follow up on vinyl. I loved it but as the years have gone on I much prefer the version by The Allman Brothers on their 'Live at the Fillmore East Album where it opens the set and there's such killer slide playing. I certainly didn't appreciate Robbo played on Pat's take on SB. Great info on how the harmony was structured. More than just a 'third above'. It has to be the right third. I'd be interested to see your take on 'Jessica'!

[@famtoonen18]

OMG, now I hear this song, it was deleted from my brain, most probably due to alcohol usage each Friday. 🍻 I now remember I played this as a kid, 40 years ago ish. I can't remember if it was this version or the Allman Brothers version. 🎸 Great vid again mate. Thx. 💕💕💕 Muscle memory is better than brain memory, I could play it again in 5 mins. 🤡

[@charleypizazz5787]

I'm doubtful that Brian played lead on Statesboro Blues as it sounds too much like Pat when compared with his lead work on all of the other tracks. I'm more inclined to think Brian provided the additional rhythm guitar.

[@derekclacton]

Pat Travers intro solo, Robbo played the next one.

[@pauldowney3347]

Yes, definitely. I have just dug this out after many years (or rather Alexa has) and as I listened to it recognised the style in the second solo. It’s recognisable as Robbo because he uses the same licks as in Baby Drives Me Crazy on Live and Dangerous.