Every once in a while, music gives you a transcendent experience. Something rare and precious—something to reminisce about in your old age. That’s what Dan Patlansky and Guy Buttery’s show (a joint production by The Mill Sessions and Michaelhouse School’s Schlesinger Theatre) this last Sunday was for me.
I need to start by saying that a show by either of these artists is a treat.
Buttery has been called “one of South Africa’s most influential artists over the past decade” by The Sunday Independent – and he’s had a global impact too, having toured and recorded internationally on a regular basis. Recognised as one of South Africa’s top fingerstyle acoustic player/composers, he sits at the same table as legends like Tony Cox, Nibs van der Spuy and Steve Newman. What makes him unique, however, is his blend of organic fingerstyle guitar and synthesised effects to create an ethereal sound quite unlike any other.
Patlansky, on the other hand, is arguably South Africa’s best electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter – ever. Influenced by global legends Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn, and having opened for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, it’s hard to overstate his accomplishments or his stature as a South African musical export. He’s been a global name for over a decade, is rated the fourth-best electric guitarist in the world and has become blues rock royalty. He and Joe Bonamassa are the only two artists to hold two worldwide #1 and two worldwide #2 best blues rock albums, as voted by Blues Rock Review USA.
There’s no mistaking it – Guy and Dan are guitar players’ guitar players. Just imagine the two in tandem!
Sunday’s show was, figuratively, electric. And just as Buttery sets his acoustic guitar work apart by fusing the synthetic and the organic, he and Patlansky combined their electric and acoustic sounds (after dazzling solo sets) to huge effect. The soundscape at the acoustically impressive-yet-intimate Schlesinger was at times subtle and sensitive, at times soaring and assertive. So entrancing was the music, I didn’t move a muscle for two hours or so, except to capture a smartphone pic for you. Watch out for a joint tour by these two artists later in the year (“Which means we’ll actually rehearse,” as Patlansky quipped). I’ll be there. You should probably keep an eye out, too. And buy one of these albums while you’re at it.
