Up-To-Date
Rod Paterson
Greentrax Recordings Limited
2000
16 tracks
More than a decade old, the recordings on Up-To-Date stand up as well today as when they were made in 1987 and 1988. This is music outside the constraints of time or fashion. "The Bleacher Lass o'Kelvinaugh" establishes a decidedly folk ambience which, while quickly unseated as the primary focus of this release, remains as an undercurrent throughout. Rod Paterson is not, however, so easily pigeon-holed and catalogued. While this is a very cohesive release, the performances here are diverse and musically interesting.
Although there is a certain folkiness to Paterson's style, he reminds me less of a balladeer than a crooner. Listening to him brings to mind such past artists as Tommy Edwards, Dick Haymes, or Don Cherry. [For younger readers, this is not the same Don Cherry who does colour for Hockey Night in Canada.] While it's difficult to box this music into a specific genre, if pressed I would say it is popular jazz. This is suggested not simply by Paterson's choice of songs but by the instrumental mix that pervades the music.
Unlike many artists outside North America who affect an American accent when singing, Paterson sings in a natural, refined Scottish accent. This is not some stereotype brogue but the accent of an educated urban Scot. Even when he sings in French, the Scots accent remains. I, for one, think it's wonderful that an artist retains his own identity rather than fade into the homogeneity so common today.
Eclectic is the only way to describe the songs on this release.
There are two songs with a French flavour. "Pierre le Bateau" was written by Paterson and is sung in English. It would be easy to assume this song is a relic of America in the Thirties, the sort of quiet ballad that might have been written by Cole Porter. "La Garcon Malheureux" is a traditional French song arranged by Paterson in a swingy jazz style with Sixties latin guitar and a hot sax.
The folk sound of the first track is followed up by Rogers and Hart's wonderful "My Funny Valentine" and then "Every Time We Say Goodbye" by Cole Porter. Both songs have the quiet feel of soft mid-Sixties jazz. The guitar work on these songs reminds me of Antonio Carlos Jobim or perhaps Laurindo Almeida. Paterson's vocal approach on these songs is also reminiscent of Jobim and other Brazilian singers. Although a much newer song, Paul Simon's "I do It For Your Love" receives the same latin jazz treatment to great effect.
A half dozen songs feature the Scots dialect eloquently sung. All public domain or traditional songs arranged by Paterson, two are of especial interest. "Willie Wassle" has a very traditional, folky feel to it, but the sparse guitar work also comes very close to rock and roll. One wonders if Paterson might have been a skiffle player in his youth. The music for "Lord Gordon's Kitchen Boy" also has a rock and roll ambience, but it's more like Paul Simon in his "Me and Julio" period.
The three songs written by Paterson establish him as a fine lyricist and eclectic composer. "Roll That Boulder Away" is a religious piece that manages to avoid the cliche and preachiness that often infects such songs. With its semi-spoken intro and it's show-music swing, this song suggests what Jesus Christ, Superstar might have sounded like had it been written in the thirties. The melody and lyrics of "Pierre le Bateau" also bring the Thirties to mind, but the rich backing guitar comes back to Jobim and Sixties Brazilian jazz. "Smiling Waved Goodbye" brings the sound fully into the realm of Sixties middle of the road pop, enriched with warm "Baker Street" sax and some exotic whistles.
The final song comes as a surprise. "A Wee Flingette" is an instrumental. It also shifts modes from all that has gone before into a slow rockabilly shuffle including a warm sax and some solid rockabilly guitar riffs. This is very cool.
While stylistically it seems to span much of the last century, this music manages not to feel old. Very aptly named, Up-To-Date should find a warm and comfortable home in any CD collection.
Anyone interested in learning more about Rod Paterson and his music will find information at Greentrax.
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