Through sheer perseverance and longevity, Pat Travers has maintained a rock-solid role of respected musician with his share of hits and misses (it comes with the profession). Most are familiar with his upward trajectory of the late 70s / early 80s, producing the heavy radio hits “Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)” and “Snortin’ Whiskey.” Since those days, the guitarist has kept himself busy with albums of his own and numerous collaborations. For Can Do, Travers and his band have put together an album grounded heavily in the salad days.
Put all your negative preconceived notions away about whether or not Pat Travers, after nearly four decades, can rock because this record kicks some major butt. The title track is a roaring riff with hooks to spare. If it were 1977, it would be crackling the airwaves nationwide. As it is, your car stereo will work in any given scenario. The best thing is that floor-stompers like this, ‘I’m With You,” “Long Time Gone” aren’t the only flavors on Travers’ menu. “Wanted (That Was Then, This Is Now)” slows the pace and galvanizes the mood with Travers peeling off some lethal leads whilst reflecting on his younger years through a gravelly voice that wavers somewhere between Phil Lynott and David Coverdale.
The exquisite take on the Eurythmics’ “Here Comes The Rain” expands the range even further and gets an extra boost from Traver’s wife Monica on background vocals. And if you ever had any doubts about how the man can handle guitar, check out “Keep Calm & Carry On,” which showcases Travers bending it every which way through a fusion meadow harvested by second guitarist Kirk McKim, drummer Sandy Gennaro, keyboardist Doug Bare and bassist Rodney O’Quinn. The one-two punch of “Waitin’ On The End Of Time” and “Red Neck Boogie” give the album a fun edge to make sure you’re not taking any of it too seriously. Can Do really offers a complete picture of Pat Travers, who was given free reign by Frontiers Records to tap into that old-school rock sensibility he adapted to so well in the late 70s, with the option of exploring a few side excursions along the way.
~ Shawn Perry
