DAN PATLANSKY’S TAKES DEAR SILENCE THIEVES ON TOUR When you hear the name Dan Patlansky it immediately conjures up images of the genius guitarist, singer/songwriter and globally respected purveyor of the blues he is. As his seventh release in a little over a decade, all ten of Dan’s new album’s original, electrically charged and blues-infused chapter further reinforces just why he enjoyed an invite from the likes of Bruce Springsteen to open his High Hopes show in Johannesburg this past February. Or, after having played at the Horstens Blues Festival in Denmark last year, Patlansky received a summons to headline the November 2014 event. Between European tours with the likes of Everlast in 2013 Dear Silence Thieves has enjoyed a convincing series of rehearsals before the day the LA-based Lurssen Masterering masterpiece hits with a raw ability and exceptionally rare modern-day blues integrity. Ever since his debut album, Standing At The Station, followed by his 2004 major label (Blue Note, EMI produced) masterstroke True Blues, Dan Patlansky has been immersing himself in the rich and rollicking world of blues rock music. In February 2005, and again in July 2006, Selwyn Miller the New Orleans based manager of David Gates, Bread, Randy Crawford and Petula Clark (amongst others) took Patlansky to New Orleans to showcase his outstanding talent. In 2006 Fender acknowledged his talent with a guitar and amp endorsement, making him only one of six on the continent to enjoy such a privilege. As Dan settled into his groove, what followed was a barrage of brilliantly executed eclectic and acoustic blues albums. 2006 brought with Real, Move My Soul in 2009, 20 Stones in 2012, and the unplugged wonder of last years’ acoustically anchored Wooden Thoughts release. With each new release, Patlansky’s brought with him a tighter and more engaging lyrical twist and even more interesting turns, all of which leads beautifully to his much anticipated 2014 full-electric set released this May. “Dear Silence Thieves showcases some of my strongest song writing yet,” he confirms. “I’m at a point now, musically, that I don’t even need to consciously think about writing a particular way because it flows, organically, that way.” With his entire existence firmly anchored and well rooted in the blues, nothing that Dan does or delights in is contrived. “The songs will confirm that” he says confidently of his latest musical statement. “Dear Silence Thieves has only 10 tracks, and I love that. No dilution, just good, old-fashioned, modern blues.” …Cont. Writing, recording and performing a genre of music, arguably better than the North Americans who claim the blues as their own, is a labour of love reserved for a very select few. With its rich and varied character, Dear Silence Thieves highlights more new ground covered by Dan, thanks in part to producer Theo Crous’ participation. Responsible for helping make the Springbok Nude Girls, Parlotones, Prime Circle and Elvis Blue, amongst many others, famous, Theo pushed Dan to dig even deeper than he thought possible. “It was hard handing over the [production] reigns,” Patlansky says of his time in studio with Theo. “It’s a different kind of pressure. Having produced my earlier albums myself, being removed from the process this time round gave me newfound perspective that I relished. Theo brought great ideas to the table. He also pushed me, and we had a fair amount of constructive negotiation when it came to getting the best out of each song.” As for coming up with brand new material, all neatly and exclusively penned by the man himself, one through track 10, Patlansky’s confident in Dear Silence Thieves’ popularity potential. “Everything we do, as people, has been done before,” he purports. “How we set it up in the stew is what separates the wheat from the chafe.” And as master chef of all things six-stringed and wired for sound, Patlansky’s perpetual nod to the essence of the blues tradition is exemplary. “The older you get, the better you become,” he says with a smile. In recording Dear Silence Thieves, Dan was frugal when it came to dishing out meaty middle eights. “Solos on the album are fewer and farther between than on my earlier releases,” he declares. “Solos are more of a gift, but when I play these tracks live, my band and I get to lose ourselves in the layers of each new song, and they unravel beautifully and differently every time.” Playing as a three-piece, Dan’s tight trio make for impressive listening and watching live. “After a week of fine-tuning the new songs, and a full month in studio, Dear Silence Thieves is the confident and concise statement that will be heard in Europe, across South Africa, and all the way back to the genesis of Patlansky’s passion, the blues. And, as with its maker, Dear Silence Thieves bursts with a bold personality. “I’m the chef and my songs are recipes music fans can most certainly try at home.” The secret ingredients now percolating,