Search - Pat Martino :: Exit

Exit : My Introduction to a musical goldmine

Mark A. Daniels | Waterford, CT United States | 12/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Exit was the first Pat Martino album I puchased when I was a fledgling rock guitarist at 16 years old. What I heard on Exit changed my perspective on both musical genres and the difference between guitar players and guitar innovators. I had never heard anyone play solos such as in "Three Base Hit" and "Blue Bossa". The notes were completely articulate and the phrasing was both lyrical and explosive. I've heard Pat's syle referred to as "The Velvet Hammer" and I think that is an accurate metaphor for Pat's playing. Pat self-describes his solos as "spontanious combustion" and that's what I hear in his playing. His music turned my thinking from emulating rock and roll heros to the great jazz stylists, many of whom Pat says he learned from, such as Django Reinhardt, Wes Montomery, sax players like Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker. Pat showed me that it's a big musical world out there and he led me into some of the very best music I have since heard.I deeply admire him for his perseverence in overcoming major health problems, nearly fatal, in which he essentially had to re-learn how to play the guitar. His playing now is still hot and inventive and I look forward to wherever he takes us on his musical journey."