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PATRICK
WOODS |
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I picked
up a guitar for the first time about the age of eight. My dad had
always played, so I kind of got the knack from him, but I believed
it was something that was in my blood from day one. I got influenced
by rock and folk at an early age, and just sort of translated that
over to what I'm doing now. In high school I took jazz and classical
lessons, in addition to playing percussion in the marching band.
I have
been using a Wechter acoustic Pathmaker (double cutaway) for about
the past ten years now. Abe Wechter is based out of Sweetwater Sound
in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, about a half hour from where I live. I first
bought one of his guitars through Elderly instruments in Michigan,
and just fell in love with the thing. I have not wanted another guitar
since. It's about 22 frets to the neck, has a spruce top, and mahogany
back and sides. I also use Sperzle tuning keys, and just recently
installed the b-band pickup system which sounds crazy good! For effects,
I simply use a TC Electronics chorus/flange along with an Alesis Nanoverb.
I am currently using Mackie 450’s for my live sound.
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Even
though I come from New York—specifically New York City with it’s
huge immigrant history and populations—I’ve never failed
to be amazed at the vastness and rich cultural diversity of America
with it’s 50 states, each with something unique and fascinating
to behold. Musically speaking, some of the best American guitarists
are to be found in it’s heartland. Guitarist Bryon Thompson hails
from Indiana and likewise, guitarist Patrick Woods hails from Fort
Wayne, Indiana. Woods made a lot of guitar fans quite happy with his
earlier CD releases—Guitar Expeditions (2007) and Power
Fields (2004). The 2009 CD from Woods, Vortex Of Discovery
solidifies his reputation as one of the brightest up and coming
instrumental finger style acoustic guitarists in America. Patrick
cites legends such as the late Michael Hedges and Preston Reed as
prime influences on his unique blend of percussive, string snapping
acoustic guitar playing that combines guitar technique with intricate
percussion and melodic action. His ‘one man band’ sound
has sometimes been compared to a mix of Andres Segovia meeting Black
Sabbath and while that comparison may be a little extreme, Patrick’s
acoustic guitar sound is clearly influenced by guitar masters of the
past as well his love of rock music, which can be detected in his
rhythmic, percussive guitar approach. Back in the 1980’s the
Windham Hill label made acoustic guitarists such as Michael Hedges,
Alex DeGrassi and of course Windham Hill founder Will Ackerman into
well known names. Fans of those guitar giants as well as modern acoustic
guitar heroes such as Pete Huttlinger, Tommy Emmanuel, Toulouse Engelhardt,
Richard Gilewitz, all the way back to early rock/acoustic guitar pioneer
Steve Howe (of Yes), should give Patrick Woods a chance to impress
them with his own unique and incredible guitar technique and approach.
A great example of Patrick’s acoustic guitar technique merging
with his love of rock music can be heard on track seven, “Lightning’s
Kiss,” with its storming, melodic intro as well as track eight
“The Golden Country” with it’s Steve Howe-inspired
wide screen guitar moods. The ten track, all instrumental Vortex
Of Discovery was tastefully produced by Jay Bentoff. The
CD has a crisp and clear studio sound, capturing all of Patrick’s
intricate percussive guitar slaps and snaps and melodic twists and
turns and makes for a very cool way for guitar fans to spend an hour.
Vortex Of Discovery is a solid spin and before you know it,
you’ll be reaching for that replay button again! 
The
first finger style player to really open me up to the world of acoustic
music, was the late great Michael Hedges. To acoustic players around
the world- he needs no introduction. A friend of mine let me borrow
Arial Boundaries when I was a senior in high school. I was
blown away, but I still was a rock player at that point. I just heard
it and thought, I could never do that. But then I heard another great
acoustic virtuoso - Preston Reed. He was actually making his music
sound like drumming in a rock band - all on one guitar! That really
appealed to me, because I was a rock player. He sort of filled the
gap, where Hedges couldn't, because although I loved Hedges, I couldn't
quite grasp what he was doing enough to try it myself. But for some
reason when I heard Preston Reed play, it was like a light went on.
I just went, cool, I've got to do something with that. Those guys
are my two main influences for acoustic but I have major rock influences
too. Joe Satriani is my all time favorite. The first time I heard
Surfing With The Alien it transported me to another planet.
Ever since then I have made melody the number one thing I strive for
in my music. Alex Lifeson of Rush is probably my second all time favorite
for rock. There is simply no one that sounds like him, and he creates
textures and creates places in my mind whenever I listen to Rush.
