Customer Reviews

Pat Macdonald Sleeps With His Guitar

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For the last year or so, this first solo album of Timbuk 3 legend has been unlisted on amazon. I figured it unavailable. I wouldn't have even known, except it's currently in the possesion of my ex-girlfriend. I have been debating now for seven weeks if I should break down and call her in order to get it back. You see, the conflict lays out something like this: On one hand, I am missing my single favorite album in my entire collection. By collection, I mean 1000+ CDs. I listen to everything from Lhasa to Tortoise to Aceyalone and everything in between. Out of all of the beautiful music I own, this album has a penultimate position in my heart. I don't know why--it's just Pat with his wry lyric and punk-folk guitar. Is it the spectre of a divorce that charges this album? Is it climactic maturation of an artist who's been in the background since I was in fifth grade? I don't know, but there is magic here. NOW. THIS is the album that my once-upon-a-time-girl has floating around her collection. I ought to get it back TODAY. Now, okay, on the OTHER hand, though, she single-handedly introduced me to more music than I could ever name here. Had I not met her, I might have stopped right HERE with Pat. But interestingly enough, she never quite dug this record. To not call her is to increase the likelihood that someday she will stop sleeping on this joint. Despite its importance to me, to share this music with her would be worth my giving it up. So I don't call her and I continue missing this musical experience. Until today. I see the album is again available on Amazon. The debate is resolved. I'm ordering it right now. And if this drama hasn't convinced you, you should do the same. Also you can't get them over here in the States, but Pat has two albums AFTER this one that he released to a more receptive audience in Europe on a label called Ulftone. "Begging Her Graces" is the first, it's incredible, and the second, "Degrees of Gone" I do not yet have, as it was just released. ....

With his marriage and Timbuk 3 behind him it's hardly surprising that Pat MacDonald can be as cynical as ever. What is a surprise is that this first solo effort is so powerful with little more than the guitar of the title to drive it. Sadly the very best songs on the album, tracks like "Stupid Simple Song" and "Bone China," are not available on Amazon's sample list, but you'll still get a taste from what is presented. MacDonald can sing, he can certainly play and, above all that, he can write songs of remarkably high calibre. The sound may be pared down but that makes the whole thing sound more real than ever, intensely personal. Every time I play this album at work somebody asks where they can get a copy; and it just gets better the more you listen and leaves you eager for more. Luckily, his latest album "Begging Her Graces" is now out, although at the time of writing you'll have to order it from Amazon's British or German counterparts.

This is a beautiful work of musicianship and wordsmithery. Pat has accomplishied so much since Timbuk 3 it's really astounding. His other records, "Beggging Her Graces", "In The Red Room"(Live) and his twist on Depeche Mode "PM Does DM" are all part of the southern gothic American landscape of our modern culture. Highly recommended!

Spooky and sparse the album grabs you with the first note, a long drawn out G overblown on a harmonica, and holds you through to the final "Thanks for Coming". Incredible lyrics combined with sparse and spooky arrangements will quickly make this one of your favorite albums. I cannot say enough in praise.

A wonderful work that gets better and better the more you listen to it. Just buy it. You won't be sorry.

This is Pat MacDonald's first solo album after his divorce from BarbaraK and the break up of Timbuk3. With most songs being just Pat and his sleeping mate (his guitar), the album lets you concentrate on his voice, his words, and his playing. It's an interesting sound and unlike most of Timbuk3's albums, except for the Pat's wittty humor and creative stories.

Pat really bears his soul on this album, he's reflective and melancholy. None the less, this is an album worth listening to - over and over.

Everyone who has ever heard me playing this album immediately buys it. It's pure therapy for the heart and soul. Pat is one of most accomplished songwriters of our time who's been (thankfully) passed over by the masses (except for those dark glasses). Way too smart to ever be a pop album, 'Sleeps' is a diamond in a sea of '90s musical mud. Treat yourself and the company you keep to a CD that you are not likely to put away for a long time...Buy it.

This is Pat MacDonald's first solo album after the break up Timbuk3. The album is dark and reflective, but very well done none-the-less.

After reading the other reviews I felt a need to write my own review. Unfortunately I have only just perchased this cd so I have yet to listen to it. I just wanted to state that Pat put out an album out sometime in the later 70's "Pat MacDonald and the Essentials, Low Down". This album was recorded at a small studio outside of Oshkosh WI. Some tracks are a little slow but one thing is certain, Pat's bluesey guitar playing along with harmonica and great lyrics won me into his listening audience. On all his timbuk 3 albums I can here the resemblance to his "Low Down" album and for my love of his style and playing I give this album three stars without ever hearing it. If Low Down is ever released again it will be a must buy for any fan of Timbuk three or Pat Macdonald