Archive



 

One of the most creative guitarists is Patrick Yandall. I observe his solo career since That Feels Nice (1994), followed by A Lasting Embrace (1997), Of Two Cities (2000), Back To The Groove (2001), From The Ashes (2003), Eyes Of Mars (2005), Samoa Soul (2006),  Laws Of Groovity (2008), A New Day (2009) and this year The Window. Besides his smooth jazz projects he also released albums in the Blues genre like New York Blues (2007) and One Hour Blues (2010) as well as in the Hard Rock realm with Going For One (2010).

As my heart beats for smooth jazz I concentrate on his album The Window, coming September 2010 on Innervision Records & Entertainment. All songs were written, produced and performed by Patrick Yandall. This album is a one-man-show.

“In the 90s, the genre that evolved into smooth jazz was known as contemporary jazz, and that designation allowed for more improvisation and real jazz fusion energy even as the songs were driven by melody and groove,” says Yandall, who began playing guitar at age 11 after hearing greats like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana.

“All these years later, I still have that contemporary jazz bug in me, and love doing extended soloing, like Carton and Ritenour always have done even on their pop-oriented projects. I think I’ve grown as a composer and my songs have become deeper and more interesting and intricate over time."

Patrick opens The Window To The Left expanding his areal of sounds before he lets his guitar shines. His crisp cords contrasts perfectly to the retro synth and the synth vocals. Tower of Soul, Yandall's first hit single mixes energetic guitar lines with vintage organ to a stunning brew.

Back to nature with the tropical breeze La Jolla. Caribbean steal pans perfectly fit to the lyrical acoustic guitar with Spanish flavor. The Window conjures a reverie of Pat Metheny with the typical Roland guitar synths GR20 and GR300. On Jersey Shore Patrick integrates his guitar performance with cool vibes serving the soundtrack for your next coastal drive.

Patrick Yandall shares the sympathy for the fate-torn island Haiti. Hope for Haiti is his contribution expressing all his sentiments with his emotional guitar. When you search after a sultry and hooking melody, then the romantic ballade You And I is my first suggestion. The interaction of guitar and flute is just superb.

City By the Bay is Patrick's ode to his longtime home of San Diego. Accurately he remarks It's On Me. When Patrick lets his guitar sing, the sun shines bright. Margueritas at Sunset is a piece of Southern moody feeling of being alive. With rhythmical guitar decoration Patrick takes the organ in the lead.

On Lifelines he combines the great scale of synth sounds, but when he returns like on The Last Time to his guitar he definetely sounds more authentic. The guitar is and stays his instrument.

The Window is our connection to the outside world. It is also the opening to our inner side. Foremost The Window is Patrick Yandall's musical signal, where he stands today.


 

 


 

Biography

Website

Buy the album in all stores

Album Information

Title: The Window
Artist: Patrick Yandall
Year: 2010
Length: 0:51:40
Genre: General Jazz
Label: Innervision Records & Entertainment
 

Tracks:

01 To the Left [4:15]
02 Tower of Soul [4:11]
03 La Jolla [4:37]
04 The Window [4:36]
05 Jersey Shore [3:15]
06 Hope for Haiti [3:09]
07 You and I [4:31]
08 City By the Bay [4:27]
09 Its On Me [4:36]
10 Margueritas at Sunset [4:38]
11 Lifelines [4:15]
12 The Last Time [5:10]



Further reviews:

Back to the Groove

From The Ashes

Just Be Thankful

Samoa Soul

Laws Of Groovity

A New Day

New York Blues