Dan Patlansky has been described as a “conglomerate of charisma, charm and musical genius” and he’s back with his first acoustic album Wooden Thoughts, to be released in Johannesburg (21 April) and Durban (22 April).
Wooden Thoughts follows 20 Stones, released to critical acclaim last year, and is rooted in the blues with influences of country, bluegrass, world music and traditional Indian melodies.
It’s an album that Patlansky has aspired to do for a long time: “I’ve always wanted to do an acoustic album but finally decided to do it following my successful unplugged tour last year. I realised there was a demand for it. As a musician, it allows you to play something different and it is less flashy. It also lends itself to a wide range of genres that allowed me to stretch myself,” he explains.
On Wooden Thoughts Patlansky sings and plays acoustic guitar, slide guitar , Dobro and the mandolin. He is joined by Clint Falconer on bass and Andy Maritz on Cajon. Wendy Oldfield does backing vocals on the track Miss Oowee as well as on The Weight.
Patlansky, who produced the album himself, is delighted that it was recorded in the Knysna forest by Howard Butcher – a specialist recorder who has produced among others Guy Buttery, Steve Newman and Nibs van der Spuy.
20 Stones was voted one of the Top 20 blues albums in the world; Daddy’s Old Gun was nominated as one of the top singles for 2012 by Rolling Stone SA, and Patlanksy is hoping that this new album will also make waves and do as well. Dan will be undertaking an extensive tour throughout South Africa as well as performing in Europe this year including a performance at the Denmark Blues Festival.
Dan Patlansky & Band will be performing at die Boer Theatre Restaurant in Durbanville – 1-3 Aug at 20:00. Tickets are R110 and available at 021 979 1911.