And That's Jazz
Audio and video collection of UK progressive eccentrics Patto at the height of their powers on stage in the form of a previously unreleased recording of the band rocking and looning at the Torrington in London at the start of 1973, plus their surviving TV appearances.
The Patto's virtuosity and eclecticism are in full swing as they perform an inspired set which includes most of their (then current) third album, Roll 'Em Smoke 'Em, to an enthusiastic but intimate crowd. Includes a never released Halsall composition "I'm Baroque" about their foreshortened tour of Australia supporting Joe Cocker.
The previously unreleased footage includes the Pop Deux broadcast from French TV and the full session for German TV's Beat Club with blistering performances of 'San Antone' and 'The Man' - a song featured in the film Observe and Report. For a band whose legacy only continues to grow, historical recordings such as these are valuable treasures that surpass any sonic limitations.
CD
Hold Me Back
Holy Toledo
Singing the Blues on Reds
My Days are Numbered
Tell Me Where You've Been
I'm Baroque
Shmairway of Shmove
Flat Footed Woman
Turn Turtle
Peter Abraham
Loud Green Song
Recorded live at The Torrington PH, North Finchley, London.21 January 1973
Mike Patto vocal electrc piano
Ollie Halsall guitar electric piano vocal
John Halsey drums
Clive Griffiths bass
Dave Brooks saxophone
George Blevins MC
Definitely Ollie at his very best. Dave Brooks shines on My Days are numbered. I remember a goosebump moment so clearly. Dave plays a sublime solo at around 2.40 and when he’s done, (bearing in mind the size of the stage), Ollie, oh so politely, squeezes past DB, in the most apologetic manor, rips out yet another gorgeously apposite solo which genuinely made me laugh!! Truly magical.
Colin Johnson
DVD
The Man
San Antone
Beat Club, January 1971
Mike Patto vocal
Ollie Halsall guitar
John Halsey drums
Clive Griffiths bass
Time to Die
I'm Only an Egg [interview]
Money Bag
Pop Deux • French TV 1971
Mike Patto vocal
Ollie Halsall guitar
John Halsey drums accounts
Bernie Holland bass
The Torrington
The CD cover uses part of an enormouse mural painted by Ollie c1974
Click to enlarge sections:
Getting Patto'd at a Young Age
The intrepid sound recordist responsible for capturing the live session at The Torrington shares his memories of the band.
Growing up music was everything to me. It was the 60s, and whilst I was still quite young during this explosion of youth culture, at home, I was bathed in likes of Beck, Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin & John Mayall etc.
As the '60s slunk into the '70s, the pub scene was bourgeoning. Bars all over London saw the value in live music, and hundreds of young hungry bands flocked in their droves, to peddle their wares in these often dingy yet exhilarating venues.
In 1971 my brother and his mates were raving about a band called Patto. The drummer John Halsey was brought up on our street, and we got wind of him playing with Patto just around the corner in a pub called The Torrington one Sunday evening. So, we went along, and to put it mildly, I was absolutely blown away.
Nothing I had seen previously prepared me for my first Patto gig. Initially, I was mesmerized by the lead singer Mike Patto. He commanded the stage like a rock god. His tall gangly frame was perfect for his idiosyncratic moves, and his conviction was such, that he could have been singing to a mega stadium audience of baying fans, as opposed to a little pub in North Finchley! In my mind's eye, can clearly see the veins in his neck protruding like rattlesnakes as he hammered out these mythical compositions, straining every sinew in his body.
But then my attention was dragged away by the guitarist, a certain Mr Ollie Halsall. I was so confused; he was wearing a fucking tweed jacket, with a crew neck jumper under it, not the usual attire of the day, but what was screaming from speakers was something very different. I had always loved guitarists, I knew what to expect, and enjoyed how they moved and posed with their axe (man!). But what this cooley understated gent played, was utterly staggering, accomplished and light years ahead of anyone I had ever seen or heard before, and barely a hint of posturing. I didn't realise it was possible to play the guitar like that. Complex rhythm parts, with melodic embellishments, and jaw-dropping solos, with the fluidity and dexterity of a hummingbird. Speed wasn't particularly a thing with guitarists back then, sure with a saxophone or clarinet in the world of jazz, but on a guitar? Really? Had you walked in blindfold; you'd have sworn there were two guitarists on stage.
I was hooked, and the more I saw of this amazing band, the more I realised that Ollie Halsall was an inimitable freak, in the most complimentary sense of the word, Everything he played was completely unique to that evening, never to be repeated. Of course, Patto also had to have a dynamite Rhythm section in Clive Griffiths (bass) and John Halsey (drums & accounts).
These guys had played alongside Patto and Halsall for many years growing up and forming Timebox, which morphed into Patto. They were both excellent musicians, and because of the demands of playing behind Mr Halsall (originally a drummer and vibes player), were also required to be professional mathematicians! You just wouldn't have survived without that level of music theory. As Dave Brooks (RIP) would have attested to!
Finally, another of the delights of a Patto gig, was that there was no predicting what might happen. They would spice up their shows with what became known as looning, in other words fucking about on stage. There are numerous accounts of these shenanigans and I am only scratching the surface here. But they would include wild twisting competitions, the lowest note in the world competition, incredible renditions of acapella doo-wop tunes, often featuring Admiral John Halsey, and amazing covers of old R&B songs. It was never just a gig with Patto. Always a happening! Man, I miss 'em.
Colin Johnson 2021
More LIVE Patto!
Warts & All
Patto live at The Black Swan
Sheffield 1972