Pat Donohue

PAT DONOHUE
PAT DONOHUE RHR #21,
Red House Records, P.O. Box 4044, St. Paul, MN 55104

This record is Pat Donohue’s second album on the Red House label (the first is titled Manhattan to Memphis) and is, in all ways, an excellent effort. The record encompasses a number of styles (jazz, blues, ragtime, "New folk music," and pop), but does not seem at all fragmented. Donohue is a fine guitarist and is at home playing in this wide variety of styles. The production and arrangements are likewise of high quality: from solo acoustic guitar (four cuts) to more fleshed-out arrangements featuring mandolin, violin, acoustic or electric bass, and tasteful drums and percussion. Vocals and background harmonies continue the high performance standard. My current favorites are Donohue’s self penned "You Can’t Blame A Fool" (featuring mandolin by Peter Ostroushko) and a whimsical solo guitar rendition of Vince Guaraldi’s "Linus and Lucy." Recommended.