Larry Pattis

"Simply brilliant. Simply beautiful." — Godfrey Daniels Folk Club

"Larry Pattis blends the emotional commitment of folk and the prowess of classical, a harmonious union of beauty, melody, nuance and technique that demand- and reward- serious listening." — Montreal International Jazz Festival

"Come be enthralled, entranced, transported and inspired...an original, empathic and powerful guitar virtuoso." — Bay City Arts Center

"The cuts on this CD are sweet, soothing, soaring, soft, sharp and sincere. More than anything, sincere — true to musical form and musical soul. How sincerity becomes evident in a musical performance is beyond my explanation, but it's something intangible most of us recognize, and when we find it should indulge ourselves shamelessly. Pattis uses a well-defined harmonic frame for each piece, but the outer elements are a kaleidoscope of silken notes and rhythmic fluency. With fingerwork so adept, he drives through poignant, dreamy melodies with vibrant echoes of passion and fun. Larry Pattis persuades his guitar strings to weave ribbons of music around you that become graceful bonds of pleasure. Surrender to it. Enjoy, I did." — Rambles.net, Virginia MacIsaac

"Think of the names that have dazzled audiences and influenced other guitarists over the last 40 years or so: John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Alex de Grassi, Pat Metheny, to name just a few. This is not to slight the masterful contributions and influences of Pierre Bensusan or Ottmar Liebert, just that I'm referring to American guitarists. Larry Pattis could be on his way to being on-par with those players, and any guitar lover will find some exquisitely executed melodies on Pattis' new CD, which is steeped in themes of Americana. You can feel the rhythms of life pulsing through his melodies" — New Age Voice Magazine

"(Pattis's) playing is impeccable, disciplined, yet overflowing with feeling. Even more than his wonderful first CD, Random Chance, this set fills the nooks and crannies of one's imagination and emotions, shining gentle lights on places inside that may have been sadly neglected until now. This, indeed, is a CD that will lead you to your most comfortable chair, bring you your favorite slippers, and curl up around your legs, keeping you warm during the coolest evenings." — Victory Review, Bill Fisher

"Salt Lake guitar virtuoso Larry Pattis is always a treat to hear, and this weekend's show should sate the most avid acoustic instrumental fans. Pattis, a veteran of numerous national tours, arrives with his diverse new CD, "Hands of Time," an 11-song collection of solo guitar that shows how many directions a man can lead an audience with just two hands and the proper instrument. Finger-picking his way through the solid, meditative title cut, the playful "Underfoot" and "Burning Man," or a guitar-only arrangement of fiddle tune "Ashokan Farewell," Pattis leaves no doubt as to his skills as a composer, player and arranger … a lesson for the ears, heart and soul about acoustic guitar music." — Salt Lake Tribune, Dan Nailen

"The boundless energy of a rambunctious puppy; the evening mist swirling along the edges of a wooded path; carefree childhood pleasures, such as Saturdays at the movies or afternoons at the playground-these are just a few of the images conjured up by the pieces on Larry Pattis's new CD, Hands of Time. Larry is one of the fortunate few composers to whom beautiful melodies come naturally" — Gene Zasadinski, Strummer.com

"Although Pattis establishes his technical prowess on the first tune, it's apparent that he considers composition and mood to be on equal ground with flashy playing, a perfect and exquisite hybrid of neoclassicism and fingerstyle." — Alan Fark, Minor7th.com

"Recorded entirely on his Custom OM-28V, this album is a masterpiece of studio performance. Through his articulate style and intimate song themes (both playful and reflective), Larry captures the essence of soulful songwriting. Soothing and enchanting, this eleven song gem is a must for guitar players at all levels of accomplishment, and of course for those who love great acoustic guitar music." — The Sounding Board

"What we have here is not just another guy with a guitar, but a trained, thoughtful musician with a quicksilver picking technique and many a good tune in his heart. Pattis approaches every note with the ethics of a perfectionist, but without sacrificing the passionate center his compositions inhabit. You may find yourself wondering if guitar music has ever sounded this good." — Salt Lake City Weekly

"… Pattis leaves no doubt that he is on the cusp of becoming a major name in the field of acoustic guitar music." — Chris Thelen, The Daily Vault

"Clear and resonant mastery" — Missoula Independent

"Pattis, in his usual perfectionist mode, leaves nothing to chance. In tune after tune, he sets the scene with only the help of his delicate fingering and a lifetime of practice. He speaks to a special place in all of us where we are better than we think we are." — Frank Miele, The Kalispell Daily Interlake

"Lively, reflective, and entertaining … Larry's guitar is captured on record with a warm and rich sound that allows him to deliver his elegant compositions and showcase his refined fingerstyle technique." — Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine

"Larry Pattis is a fine fingerstyle guitarist that uses his instrument to create colorful palettes of sound. His fluid finger-picking style is clever and skillful as he unveils wonderfully uplifting arrangements on his debut CD, Random Chance. Pattis also displays his considerable songwriting talents penning ten of the numbers that appear on the disc. Choice cuts include the thrilling Tim Time, the sweet Lullaby, the bouncing Dark Roast, and the exquisite Schnaus Haus." — Metronome Magazine

"Larry Pattis is a fine guitarist with a knack for creating tasty compositions. Pattis creates tunes that are clean, pure as stream water, and warmly pleasing …" — Acoustic Musician Magazine

"This excellent, understated album (Random Chance) features the sparkling performance of virtuoso guitarist, Larry Pattis. His compositions are clean and pleasing; most pieces like "Big Mountain Sunrise" and "Karla's Song," are gently calming. "Reckless Manoeuvres," a tribute to some well-loved Springer Spaniels, is an exceptionally nice tune, full of subtle surprises. "Farewell to Tarwathie" is the only tune where Pattis is joined by other musicians, Kate MacLeod on fiddle and Andrew Morill on pennywhistle. The result is exquisite." — Marilyn O'Malley, Victory Music Review

"Larry Pattis' first album is candid and sincere. The notes come across with clarity, as if he were selecting words or colors to talk to each one of us, individually. We can almost imagine him sitting there contemplating the landscape that he loves and, as we listen, we sit beside him and share this special moment. Each tune is like a private conversation, an invitation to an attractive garden of his. No doubt that his future musical wanderings will be like a morning jog in a field of virgin snow." — Pierre Bensusan

"… an album of 11 exquisitely performed fingerstyle guitar pieces. Throughout, Pattis plays with a graceful precision, delivering a soothing and cohesive musical statement. This CD is, by any standard, an impressive debut, including the secret 12th track slide guitar bonus." — Smokey Koelsch, The Catalyst

"I have listened to the Larry Pattis record, Random Chance, in the sunny joyousness of a breakfast kitchen, making love by candlelight, jogging in the city, trail-busting in the hills behind my house, and best of all, relaxing by the river. It's perfect everywhere and, atmospheric at any level of attention. The one thing that relies on a Greater Power for precision, Pattis' great sense of dynamics, is there … HEART!" — Chuck Pyle

"… Starting with opener "Big Mountain Sunrise" which evokes life in his former home of Whitefish, Montana, Pattis painted a pastel landscape with his fluent and impassioned picking. In his two sets, Pattis played selections which ranged from heartfelt ballads to the caffeinated "Dark Roast," the almost-rocking "Three A.M.," and the rollicking "Tim Time." Pattis' playing style is highlighted by a masterful touch, filled with precision, carefully crafted not to lose touch with the passion which flows naturally from his guitar." — Jam Music Magazine

"To say that Larry Pattis' first CD, Random Chance, is exquisite would be an understatement. What we have here is a joy, a work of art existing in an environment of music as 'product.' An artist should project warmth, an artist should be creative, an artist should produce some sort of emotion besides boredom … individuals such as Pattis don't promise a thing. They deliver. If music can heal, Pattis created the medicine." — William Athey, The Event, Salt Lake City

"Having heard Larry in concert several times, I have always thought that he is a mood magician, with a soul score of 10. I hear him and I heave a sigh of relief. I watch him play and I know that I'm in the right place … you should experience the fingerstyle guitar playing of Larry Pattis. His album Random Chance is a very beautiful passage of musical expression that will cleanse your palate and clear your mind … I think that I am listening to rare flowers on the hillside that have to be taken in while they are blooming …" — Kate MacLeod