Pat Travers is a highly talented and respected musician who gained popularity in the 1970s with his band, Pat Travers Band. One of his most notable albums is "Makin' Magic," which was released in 1977. The album showcases Travers' exceptional guitar skills and soulful vocals. "Makin' Magic" features a mix of hard rock and blues tracks, highlighting Travers' unique approach to music. The title track, "Makin' Magic," sets the tone for the album with its catchy guitar riffs and energetic rhythm. Travers' passionate vocals add an extra layer of intensity to the song.

Pat Travers?

Who is this cat? Listening to Rhapsody online and stumbled onto his complilation album. He can play! :

rob2001

Member

johnrea_77

PT always puts on a great show. Saw him last year at an Amphiteater in Baldwinsville, NY. Caught him in big venues opening up for bands like Blue Oyster Cult and UFO back in the 80's. Also caught a few small theater and club shows years ago as well.

Very much worth checking out if you never have.

jpftribe

Member

billm408

Member

He's been around since the late 70's. Great rockin' blues kinda stuff. Loved the band when Pat Thrall and Tommy Aldridge were playing with him. Saw him a few times back then and twice in the last couple of months at clubs locally. Go For What You Know is just a killer live album. My band still plays Snortin' Whiskey!

cr8z4life

Wow, never heard that. great stuff!

Thwap

Likely Baked

He's been around since the late 70's. Great rockin' blues kinda stuff. Loved the band when Pat Thrall and Tommy Aldridge were playing with him. Saw him a few times back then and twice in the last couple of months at clubs locally. Go For What You Know is just a killer live album. My band still plays Snortin' Whiskey!

Dickie Fredericks

Pounds.of.Sounds

Love Pat Thrall too.

ksandvik

Member

Saw him last week close to my house. Still going strong. Not that he seems to play the same set list for months, like two months' ago in San Jose.

billm408

Member

Saw him last week close to my house. Still going strong. Not that he seems to play the same set list for months, like two months' ago in San Jose.

I was at both of those shows too. Voodoo Lounge a couple of months ago and the Avalon last week. Actually I was going to skip the last show, but a friend's band was on the bill so I was out there supporting the locals.

Sal

Member

Pat Travers! To me he is completely under-appreciated. I have to disagree with the "70s bluesy kind of stuff". I don't see him as a Frank Marino type 70s player, I think his music was way ahead of its time and isn't recognized because he is lumped in with that kind of sound.

Rather than gush on and on I'll list some points:

* Great guitar player, singer and songwriter: listen to his rhythm work, chord voicings, use of effects and song structures. Very innovative, unique and individual.

* The Pat Travers Band!! Listen to Mars Cowling and Tommy Aldridge as a rhythm section from Heat in the Street. The rhythms are funky, heavy, jazzy and syncopated - to my ears completely opposite to the plodding 70s hard rock of the time, and it's what separates PT from the pack. The music has so much movement and life. Listen to "Go All Night" from Heat in the Street - it's funk rock before the Red Hot Chili Peppers! And before Tommy Aldridge was in the band you can hear Nicko McBrain play on "Off Beat Ride" or "Speakeasy" from Putting it Straight. Speakeasy is a terrific, funky jazzy instrumental.

* Pat is a great keyboard player also and wasn't afraid to play things different from 70s rock. Listen to "Crash and Burn" or his cover of "Is this Love" - he wasn't afraid of trying something new and to keep his music from stagnating.

There's tons more to say about Pat. Listen and enjoy a true innovator!

rob2001

Member

He has many more hidden gems like that in his discography.

rob2001

Member

Pat Travers! To me he is completely under-appreciated. I have to disagree with the "70s bluesy kind of stuff". I don't see him as a Frank Marino type 70s player, I think his music was way ahead of its time and isn't recognized because he is lumped in with that kind of sound.

Rather than gush on and on I'll list some points:

* Great guitar player, singer and songwriter: listen to his rhythm work, chord voicings, use of effects and song structures. Very innovative, unique and individual.

* The Pat Travers Band!! Listen to Mars Cowling and Tommy Aldridge as a rhythm section from Heat in the Street. The rhythms are funky, heavy, jazzy and syncopated - to my ears completely opposite to the plodding 70s hard rock of the time, and it's what separates PT from the pack. The music has so much movement and life. Listen to "Go All Night" from Heat in the Street - it's funk rock before the Red Hot Chili Peppers! And before Tommy Aldridge was in the band you can hear Nicko McBrain play on "Off Beat Ride" or "Speakeasy" from Putting it Straight. Speakeasy is a terrific, funky jazzy instrumental.

* Pat is a great keyboard player also and wasn't afraid to play things different from 70s rock. Listen to "Crash and Burn" or his cover of "Is this Love" - he wasn't afraid of trying something new and to keep his music from stagnating.

There's tons more to say about Pat. Listen and enjoy a true innovator!

I can't say it any better than that!

3 Mile Stone

xjbebop

Member

Pat Travers! To me he is completely under-appreciated. I have to disagree with the "70s bluesy kind of stuff". I don't see him as a Frank Marino type 70s player, I think his music was way ahead of its time and isn't recognized because he is lumped in with that kind of sound.

Rather than gush on and on I'll list some points:

* Great guitar player, singer and songwriter: listen to his rhythm work, chord voicings, use of effects and song structures. Very innovative, unique and individual.

* The Pat Travers Band!! Listen to Mars Cowling and Tommy Aldridge as a rhythm section from Heat in the Street. The rhythms are funky, heavy, jazzy and syncopated - to my ears completely opposite to the plodding 70s hard rock of the time, and it's what separates PT from the pack. The music has so much movement and life. Listen to "Go All Night" from Heat in the Street - it's funk rock before the Red Hot Chili Peppers! And before Tommy Aldridge was in the band you can hear Nicko McBrain play on "Off Beat Ride" or "Speakeasy" from Putting it Straight. Speakeasy is a terrific, funky jazzy instrumental.

* Pat is a great keyboard player also and wasn't afraid to play things different from 70s rock. Listen to "Crash and Burn" or his cover of "Is this Love" - he wasn't afraid of trying something new and to keep his music from stagnating.

There's tons more to say about Pat. Listen and enjoy a true innovator!

+ 1 way ahead of his time.
I still have 'heat in the street' and 'puttin it straight' on vinyl.

. and then he came out with 'crash and burn'.

Makin' Magic

While some blues-rock enthusiasts were a bit miffed that Pat Travers dialed down the rootsy tones in his 1977 sophomore solo album, fans of the man’s hard rock still consider it one of his best studio performances. Makin’ Magic opens as the title track bulges with robust riffs, backed by the dynamic rhythm section of drummer Nicko McBrain and bassist Peter “Mars” Cowling. Much like Robin Trower or Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush, Travers and company are totally unapologetic about their Jimi Hendrix worship. But it’s Travers’ rhythm section that more closely resembles The Experience’s Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell in both playing style and musicianship. Check out the following “Rock 'N Roll Susie,” which plays with ZZ Top’s muscled attack, Thin Lizzy’s tightness, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s loose boogie. Although rumors buzzed that the power ballad “Stevie” was based on Stevie Nicks, it's actually about Travers’ younger brother Steven. Anyone craving Travers’ hard attack on the blues need look no further than his blistering rendition of Blind Willie McTell’s “Statesboro Blues.”

March 1, 1977 8 Songs, 39 minutes ℗ 2007 Majestic Rock

Travers' passionate vocals add an extra layer of intensity to the song. Another standout track on the album is "Rock 'n' Roll Susie," which has a more catchy and upbeat sound compared to the rest of the tracks. It showcases Travers' ability to create memorable hooks and deliver powerful performances.

Other Versions

Travers' guitar playing is truly the star of the album. His solos are intricate and melodic, adding depth and complexity to the songs. Tracks like "Heat in the Street" and "Stevie" allow Travers to fully showcase his technical skills and musical prowess. Overall, "Makin' Magic" is a testament to Pat Travers' talent and creativity. The album captures his unique blend of hard rock and blues, showcasing his exceptional guitar skills and soulful vocals. It remains a fan favorite and a testament to Travers' lasting impact on the rock music industry..

Reviews for "Pat Travers' Makin' Magic: A True Rock Classic"

Review 1:

Name: John

Rating: 2/5

I have to say, I was really disappointed with Pat Travers' "Makin Magic" album. I had heard great things about his previous work, but this one fell flat for me. The songs lacked originality and seemed to blend together into one long, monotonous track. The lyrics were also uninspired and didn't resonate with me at all. Overall, I was expecting much more from this highly acclaimed artist, but unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.

Review 2:

Name: Emily

Rating: 2/5

As a longtime fan of Pat Travers, I was really excited to listen to his "Makin Magic" album. However, it didn't live up to my expectations at all. The production quality was subpar, with the instruments sounding muddy and the vocals lacking clarity. The songwriting felt lazy and derivative, like a watered-down version of Travers' earlier work. I hate to say it, but this album just felt like a rushed attempt to cash in on his previous success. I hope Travers can bounce back and deliver something more impressive in the future.

Review 3:

Name: Mark

Rating: 1/5

I can't believe how much I disliked "Makin Magic" by Pat Travers. The entire album felt like a contrived attempt to replicate the success of his previous work. The songs lacked any sort of originality or creativity and seemed to blend together into a forgettable mess. The production was shoddy and made it difficult to even hear the music properly. Overall, I found this album to be a major disappointment and a waste of my time. I won't be listening to it again and would not recommend it to anyone.

Makin' Magic: The Impact of Pat Travers' Album