DAN IS YOUR MAN
South Africa’s Dan Patlanksy is regarded as one of the top blues guitarists in the world – regularly making it on to ‘best of blues guitarists’ lists compiled by prestigious publications – and he has won the respect of leading musos such as Bruce Springst
PATLANKSY, 36, grew up in Joburg and matriculated at the National School of Arts – SA’s so-called “fame school”.
He had intended to study further at a tertiary college but the gigs were coming fast. He went on the road, playing in small towns such as Jeffreys Bay. I first saw him in action at Potters Place there.
He was electrifying – drenched in sweat as he wielded his guitar. No wonder people compare him to Jimi Hendrix and other legendary guitarists. Watching him live is very different to listening to a recording. The man is a firebrand. Get to Kirstenbosch to see why people are swooning.
For the Kirstenbosch concert, will you be singing tracks from all your albums or concentrating on ‘Perfection Kills’?
“A lot of tracks from the new album for sure, but also plenty older songs. I think the new live set is sounding great and won’t disappoint. I’m playing with Andy Maritz (drums), Clint Falconer (bass), Dean Barrett (keyboards) plus Albert Frost is on the bill.”
As we speak, you are off on your European tour – Perfection Kills – with special guest Mollie Marriott (daughter of former Small Faces and Humble Pie singer/guitarist Steve Marriott; her step-father is singer Joe Brown). Can you talk about the tour?
“We’ve just finished the German leg with no support act, which was very cool. We played all over Germany promoting the new album. We start the UK leg with Mollie as our support act. Can’t wait. Eight cities in Germany and six cities in the UK.”
‘Perfection Kills’ is also the title of your new album – number nine – tell us about it?
“There are 10 new tracks – written by myself and some co-written by Theo Crous. I produced the album myself and tried my best to get more raw live sound across. The title describes the sound very well. I learnt so much working with Theo for the last few years, so I took what I learnt with new ideas and made the album.”
Are you a perfectionist? Does perfection kill?
“I think we all are to a point. It’s very hard not to be when in a studio, because tools exist to make perfection. The downside to using these tools is you end up polishing out a lot of the true magic in a futile pursuit of perfection. Perfection does not exist in any art form. With two kids, it’s sometimes tough to find the time. I like to play at least three or four hours a day to keep the ideas fresh and cultivate new ones. Some days I have to do more hours, fewer on others.”
You made the cover of the Britain’s The Blues Magazine. You are beyond famous in Europe and the US Critics abroad are raving about you being one of the top blues guitarists. What’s the story in your home country in terms of the dearth of awards? Why so little recognition in SA?
“I have a great fan base in SA and always love playing back home more than anything. My genre is a small one back home. And in all fairness, I’ve never submitted an album to the Samas, etc. It doesn’t really concern me at all – as long as people keep coming to the shows.”
Tickets for Dan Patlansky/ Albert Frost on Sunday March 25 are R180; R135 for 6-21-yearsolds. No charge for under 6s. Concert starts 5.15pm. Book at www. webtickets.co.za.