The Cole Patenaude Band
Are You Happy Now?
(The Cole Patenaude Band)

Although a husband, father of three and full-time mechanic, still guitarist/singer/songwriter/bandleader Cole Patenaude found the time to shepherd his excellent band into a brand new, full-length album, Are You Happy Now?

Patenaude’s breezy blues style and his fine guitar playing are evident from the start, on the opening tune, “Letchugo.” A honky-tonk-er with fun wry lyrics, while “For the Money” follows, featuring piano player Dean Thiessen, then we are into the Buddy Holly “Rave On”-like stop-and-go of “Would You Be Mine.” This one surprised me nicely with its sweet chorus of harmony vocals, and again Thiessen showcased perfectly.

I should mention the rest of Patenaude’s band as they are all excellent players. With Thiessen, they include Carson Tworow on drums and Derek Maroney on bass.

The band floats around the country ballad “How To Love,” into the electric-guitar led “Compromise,” where Patenaude positively wails, to chunker “Barely Alive;” I love Thiessen’s organ feeding here especially. “I Need A Win,” is another slow one, a sweet little song to nearly end, Are You Happy Now? Despite all the excellent electric playing throughout and solid economic songwriting, this might be my favorite tune of these nine. Patenaude’s plaintive lyric, the keys, Tworow, and Maroney laid back and letting the rhythm happen, and the main man’s vocals are all just spot-on.

The high stepping slow near gospel title track ends. Again, it’s some more blues to showcase Patenaude’s distinct skills with his players, as they have been throughout, fueling the sound behind him. Are You Happy Now? is a tight little blues pop record featuring masterful musicians.