Marc Pattison - Acoustic Afternoon (2006)Chief Dog Records

Mr. Pattison selected twenty quiet and mainly acoustic compositions which have been recorded since the year 1999. Yeah, it's a kind of musical roundup concerning American's solo activity. I think that "Acoustic Afternoon" can be a good abstract of his works and present a cross-sectional picture of his accomplishments.

Many musicians are worry of joining sacred guitar tradition with technological novelties like electronica is for instance, but Marc isn't among them for sure. I must mention that electronic elements here aren't as featured as on Marc's previous releases. Although, it is principally acoustic material, here are also many fragments on electric guitar. Mr. Pattison offers us a spiritual and tranquilling tones tempering fast and heavy sound typical of his preceding albums. That's why "Acoustic Afternoon" can be compared to Lino Alessio's solo CDs. A guitarist has also showed that neoclassical music can coexist with electronica and a bit guitar clowning and they can interlock one another. Its evidence is covering a few compositions of grand classical composers. Here are two versions of famous "Ave Maria". One of them was originally composed by Franz Schubert, another one was written by a French composer Charles Gounod who based it on Johann Sebastian Bach's "Prelude in C major". "1/5 of Beethoven's Fifth" was interpreted very pompously as its master. Next, Ludwig van Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata, op. 27 in C sharp minor" on Pattison's guitar sounds like a fantasia and it is clearly audible in a movement "Adagio sostenuto" at the very beginning. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "40th Symphony" was performed in an optimistic and majestic manner as regards instrumental. Generally, if you profoundly listen to this compilation disc, you will be able to sense the influence of new age genre that is typical of a keyboard virtuoso's albums by Kitaro.

The tracklist of "Acoustic Afternoon" is gloriously selected and instrumentally balanced providing that Marc is both a classy composer and selector in one. The production gleams as always and it allows us to be delighted with the details put on the disc. This compilation has quenched my musical thirst and I don't bother my head by diehards who criticize Marc's music groundlessly. He is very consistent in his own artistic visions and I do appreciate it. I can only compliment Marc for this selection of convincingly performed tracks.

In the end of my review, I am also bound to inform you, Dear Readers, that Mr. Pattison has teamed up with Larry Smith (bass guitar) and a familiar musician - Bud Salvetti (drums). I also know that Marc formed a band Trancelation X, so I am very curious what he will up to with a new group? The last news concerns his forthcoming release called "The Bionic Man" whose title conceals a secret. Since I respect all people's privacy, I never reveal confidential pieces of information with no personal permission. That is the same this time. At present, if you are overburdened by fast guitar fireworks, you can safely familiarize with "Acoustic Afternoon".