Patto — Roll ‘Em Smoke ‘Em Put Another Line Out 1972 (UK, Progressive,Jazz,Blues Rock)

Patto — Roll ‘Em Smoke ‘Em Put Another Line Out 1972 (UK, Progressive,Jazz,Blues Rock)

Patto's third album was to see a radical departure from the style of the first two where Ollie Halsall's brilliant guitar work was such a prominent force in their blend of rock, blues and jazz. On stage Patto were known for the humour they injected into their shows and no doubt Roll 'Em, Smoke 'Em, Put Another Line Out is an attempt to put some of that over on record.
Unfortunately what may have been great in a live setting doesn't transmit to making a good album and this is easily their weakest album. Another downside is the lack of guitar from Halsall, opting to play far more keyboards instead.

Song titles like Flat Footed Woman, Mummy and Cap'n 'P' and the Atto's - Sea Biscuits parts 1 & 2 give you some idea of the humorous aspects at play here. Actually Flat Footed Woman isn't as daft as it sounds but is a less than inspiring piano dominated straight rock song. Singing The Blues On Red sees them going into James Brown territory on a throwaway funk song. At least it does feature some decent guitar playing from Halsall though far from his best work.

Mummy is just plain silly and is a spoken word piece with the word mummy repetitively used as backing vocals and no other instruments. It starts off as what sounds like an ode to a mother and then develops into perverse territory. I think they may have been hearing too much Monty Python and Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band.

Perhaps to make up for the lack of guitar playing on the album Halsall attempts to fit it all into one song! Loud Green Song is a powerhouse of a rock song and features some of the wildest guitar work on any Patto album with an over the top solo. It's not one of their best songs but is the best on the album.

Turn Turtle is another piano dominated rocker, a bit better than Flat Footed Woman but nothing brilliant. I Got Rhythm has a laid back bluesy vibe and is one of the better moments. Peter Abraham is another attempt at humour but ultimately a bit of a mess. Cap'n 'P' and the Atto's - Sea Biscuits parts 1 & 2 which although quite funny does wear a bit thin and ends a weak album.

After the lack of success of their first two albums I guess you can't really blame Patto for trying something different. However if this was an attempt to change their fortune then it was misguided. As already stated it's their weakest album, even including the unreleased (in their existence as a band) Monkey's Bum. Dissapointing to say the least.Review by Nightfly


Tracks:

01. Flat Footed Woman — 0:00

02. Singing The Blues On Reds — 8:07

03. Mummy — 13:07

04. Loud Green Song — 15:30

05. Turn Turtle — 19:27

06. I Got Rhythm — 25:38

07. Peter Abraham — 30:28

08. Cap’n ‘P’ And The Attos (Sea Biscuits Parts 1 & 2) — 36:51


Personnel:

Mike Patto — vocals, electric piano (06), piano (07)
Ollie Halsall — guitar, keyboards, vocals (07)
Clive Griffiths — bass
John Halsey — drums, percussion, recitation (08), dialogue (0