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The Pattersons

- under construction-

From: Letterkenny, Co.Donegal

Active: 1966 - 1975?

Style: Family vocal folk group

Lineup:

Bio:

Family vocal harmony quartet who mixed folk with pop. Their sound was similar at times to The Faraway Folk, the Seekers, or a sweeter version of The Johnstons first LP. At their best, they presented a superior sunshine pop-folk with twin female vocals, best exemplified by their third LP "I Can Fly", released in 1970, though some would rate the more Seekers-esque second LP "Again" from the year before as their best. "Again" was produced by Seekers producer Tom Springfield. Their simple style rarely rose above average and the bulk of their material is pleasant easy listening.

The Pattersons signed to CBS Records in 1968 who released their debut single "Drill Ye Tarriers Drill". Their second single "I Don't Want To Be A Memory" was a big hit in Ireland the same year, reaching #2 in the Irish charts. During 1969-70 they made numerous appearances on the Morecambe & Wise show, raising their profile considerably. They also had their own show 'Patterson's People' in 1969 (BBC?). The older sister Dorothy left the group in June 1969.

After the relative highs of "Again" (1969) and "I Can Fly" (1970), the Pattersons switched labels to MAM Records, for whom they recorded one disappointing LP in 1970. It was 18 months before the follow-up emerged, "The Pattersons At Home", released on Polydor Ireland in 1973. This was to be their last LP. The Pattersons retired sometime circa 1975, ceasing to exist as a professional recording or touring unit, but performing on occasion.




Publicity still from 1971



Still gigging in 1974 - advert for a gig at Leisureland, Galway on December 26th


Discography:

• The Travelling People
LP - CBS Records - 63335 - 1968


• Drill Ye Tarriers Drill / The Hills of Connemara
7" - CBS Records - 3524 - IRL/UK - 1968


• I Don't Want To Be A Memory / The World Will Never Turn Again
7" - CBS Records - 3749 - IRL/UK - 10/1968
Spent 9 weeks in the Irish charts, peaking at #2.


• Montego Bay / My Friend The Sea
7" - CBS Records - 4032 - 21 February 1969


• An Cailin Deas / Don't Answer Me
7" - CBS Records - 4570 - IRL - 1969


• World Of Love / Diddle Di Dum
7" - CBS Records - 4642 - 7 November 1969


• Again
LP - CBS Records - 63532 - 1969
Produced by Tom Springfield.


• I Can Fly / An Cailin Deas
7" - CBS Records - 5083 - 3 July 1970


• I Can Fly
LP - CBS Records - 64064 - UK - 1970
Arranged and produced by Don Gould and Mike Smith


• The Pattersons (4th)
LP - MAM Records - MAM-AS-1007 - UK - 1970
Produced by Norrie Paramor with arrangements by Mike Vickers and Nick Ingman


• Lord Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace / Images Of You
7" - MAM Records - MAM-50 - UK 10/1971


• William / Slieve na mBan
7" - Polydor Records - 2078 024 - IRL - 1972


• If I Were Dreaming / Broken Down Gambler
7" - Polydor Records - 2078 028 - IRL - May 1973


• The Pattersons At Home
LP - Polydor Records - 2908 012 - IRL - 1973


• From Donegal (compilation)
LP - Pickwick Records - HPE 619 - 1975





See also:


Help!: We need your help to complete this entry. If you can tell us more about this band then please do! We welcome any corrections, missing details, connections to other bands, where are they now, etc. We also need photos, scans, copies of releases or live or demo recordings, and any other memorabilia gathering dust in the attic. If you can help, then please get in touch.




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