Global blues master, and SA music star, Dan Patlansky strapped on his adventure boots when hitting the studio and the result: his first acoustic album that offers the perfect combo of musical genius with international sounds.

Wooden Thoughts is the follow-up to Patlansky’s critically acclaimed 20 Stones and he’s told ECR’s Anisa Ussuph that fans will be pleasantly surprised: “For fans this is quite a departure from my normal stuff but we’re really excited about this album and it’s been received well so far.”

Wooden Thoughts is rooted in the blues with influences of country, bluegrass, world music and traditional Indian melodies. If you think that’s a lot to digest, Dan agrees but adds that it all comes together beautifully: “This being an acoustic album, it finally gave me the chance to explore other genres and favourite songs from the past I’ve always wanted to play. It came across really well mixed in with the blues because everything I do is always sort of rooted in the blues. It seemed to be a good marriage of all these things together on one acoustics album” 

On Wooden Thoughts Patlansky sings and plays acoustic guitar, slide guitar , Dobro and the mandolin. He is joined by Clint Falconer on bass and Andy Maritz on Cajon. Wendy Oldfield does backing vocals on the track Miss Oowee as well as on The Weight.

Wooden Thoughts will be released in Johannesburg on 21 April and in Durban on 22 April.