A Country Rag
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 The Best Music You've Never HeardReview by Don SilviusLook out, America, there's a great new sound coming from the state of Virginia! A few years ago, while on vacation in Nags Head, NC, I had the opportunity to visit a local club and hear a live band, and I've never looked back! That band was Richmond's Pat McGee Band. Earlier this year, the band released its third independent CD, "General Admission". The Pat McGee Band's shows are so full of energy, it defies description, and General Admission captures that energy. "Energized Acoustic Rock" is the band's description of their musical style. With a "wall" of three-part harmonies similar to Crosby, Stills and Nash; instrumentation and complex rhythms similar to Little Feat; and a style sometimes reminiscent of the Eagles, the Pat McGee Band is irresistible. A six-piece band, there is no weakness in talent. Pat McGee is the frontman and guitarist; Chardy McEwan, the percussionist of perpetual motion; John Small, the bassist, who plays like he has more than five fingers on each hand; Jonathan Williams, the stylish keyboardist and vocalist; Al Walsh, the perfect complement to Pat McGee, guitarist and vocalist; and Chris Williams, drummer extraordinaire. "General Admission" was recorded in the Fall of 1998, at The Birchmere, in Alexandria, VA; and the now-defunct and legendary Bayou in Washington, DC. From the opening of the disc, the energy of both band and audience is evident. "The Story" showcases the "smooth as silk" three-part harmonies of Pat McGee, Jonathan Williams and Al Walsh, as well as the rhythm section of the band. The second track, "Nobody Knows" is just smooth - a nice, laid-back tune, gives way to "Who Stole Her From Heaven", another display of that "wall" of three-part harmonies. The fourth track, "Flooding Both of Us", is an emotional and inspiring ballad, which is my personal favorite on this disc. "Could Have Been a Song" is the fifth track and brings us back to the band's trademark sound with catchy lyrics and a fun melody - this was the song I came away singing when I first saw the band in 1996. The next track, "Pride", is a Pat McGee Band audience participation standard of their live shows. Again, the complex rhythm gives way to a catchy, harmony-filled refrain. "Can't Miss What You Never Had" stands out for it's extended guitar solo and keyboard-based foundation, close your eyes and you might see Santana in the early seventies. The eighth track, "Haven't Seen For a While", is another emotional and dramatic ballad - one of missing the one you love, that the live audience truly appreciated. The last two tracks, "Straight Curve" and "Rebecca", show you just how good this band is and just how much their fans love them. Listen as the audience sings along with, and sometimes for, the band. Very rarely can you listen to a live recording and tell as easily how much of a good time the audience had - this is one of those times. The Pat McGee Band recently signed with Giant/Warner Records - so there is a national release in their near future. Up to this point, they have been one of Virginia's best-kept musical secrets, but that is about to change. Often compared to the Dave Matthews Band, probably due to being from the same geographic area, this band is on the rise. You can find out more about the band at their website (http://www.patmcgeeband.com), as well as sample some of their music. The Pat McGee Band can usually be seen on college campuses throughout the southern and eastern states, but if you can't make a show in person, "General Admission" will give you a good indication of what you've been missing. With a major-label contract and a national release forthcoming, you WILL hear the Pat McGee Band, the new sound coming from Virginia, and who knows, you might be saying "Dave who?"  Find this CD and others, or a book using AMAZON.COM's search engine
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