back roads | Every Moment Has A Song

Pat Donohue: Back Roads (1996)

Fingerpicking guitarists are underrated generally–which is weird because guitars were invented to be picked with fingers. But unless you were Steve Howe wedging an acoustic number into a concert or progressive rock album, as a disciple of Chet Atkins your work has been worshipped in the commercial catacombs for decades.

Pat Donohue is the fingerpicking guitarist’s guitarist. Chet Atkins called Pat “one of the greatest fingerpickers in the world today”.

In the liner notes of one of Donohue’s albums Leo Kottke said:

“I first heard him on the radio and got upset. Then I heard him in concert somewhere and got more upset. He thinks harmonically, improvises beautifully, and writes. Disgusting.

Enjoy this record, but if you’re a guitar player, it’s going to haunt you.”

And if you’re not a guitar player, it may still haunt you. But in a good way.

If the sound of the strings vibrating in the hollow wood is your idea of real music; if the nimble runs and harmonics are something you appreciate; and if you like songwriting that’s well-crafted, with humor and authenticity, listen here.

The Master himself Mr. Atkins is Donohue’s guest on the mutually self-deprecating, chucklesome homage “Stealin’ from Chet”.

Pat’s facility for internal rhyme is especially evident in the love song “I Don’t Worry ‘Bout the Blues”.

“Touch ‘Em All” is a “touching” tribute to a ballplayer who was (at the time at least) a hero to all Minnesotans.

Things get heavy on the confessional “Love and Desire”, then lighthearted and frivolous on “Nothin'”.

“Stumblin’ Through” is archetypical Pat Donohue songcraft: injecting philosophical wisdom into charmingly rustic, toe-tapping folk music. It’s humorous. It’s chock full of internal rhymes. But it’s clearly real and from the heart of a writer–one with the gift of a relatable humanness.

Finally the instrumental “Summer’s End” showcases Donohue’s gift for a beautiful melody, with guitar harmonics adding a sublime radiance.

Back Roads is Pat Donohue at his best, which means fingerpicking folk guitar at its best.

Listen to: “Stealin’ from Chet”