Live at Ethel's Place (DVD), Vestapol, Music & Performance

Live At Ethel's Place was recorded in 1987. Along with Harvie Swartz on bass and Joey Barton on drums, Pat takes us on a wild roller coaster ride through breakneck tempos, sensitive ballads and smokey blues. NTSC all region, 95 minutes. "Pat Martino. A name that strikes anything from fear to sheer awe and reverence in musicians who know who this is. And what he's done and been through. And continues to go through. The name resonates a bridge between the true Jazz swing era through the organ trio groove and into the modern era and it's (digital and electronic) resources of today.A musical prodigy, Pat has always challenged himself... from his long and remarkable self recovery from amnesia brought on by a near fatal aneurysm to the ridiculously heavy string gauges and action he favors, yet nimbly maneuvers. One would think he simply sets unrealistic parameters for himself, but nothing keeps Martino sharper than these challenges themselves. He seemingly thrives on what would be their resistance to anyone else. Though known for his incredible technique but not reliant on it as an end, Pat radiates the dictum which Cecil Taylor has expressed, that: 'Technique is a weapon to do whatever must be done'. And no more or less: efficiency. Technique serves the music, the musician does not serve the instrument (nor his accumulated facility for it's own sake). And Pat does not serve anything but the music and it's potential for depth and unique beauty.There are some artists who make us smile, rhythmically nod, dance, even feel, but few who elicit what Pat does... to think and to know. Know there is a purpose, a balance and a logic and logical structure to the universe as sensed through sonic vibrations over time: music. Soul, definition, a catalyst and key to life... improvisation... possibilities... spread before us to peruse like rough gems happened upon in a Arabian flea market. The most unlikely beauty found among the funkiest of surroundings." - Mike Brannon

• LIVE AT ETHEL'S PLACE
• Music & Performance
• Vestapol