Reviews

“Thank you for your interest in becoming SAGA’s new drummer……..we applaud you foor that…….don’t let this “minor setback”dissuade you from following your heart, which judging by your playing is definately in the right place……we wish you great success for the future”
-Michael Sadler (SAGA)

“Hi Pat,
I have been meaning to write you for months. I picked up your CD you were handing out at RoSfest.
I really enjoy every song. It hasn’t left my car since RoSfest. And I play it a lot.
GREAT JOB!!! GREAT MUSIC!!! Thank you “
Uncle Norm ( Renoun prog afficianado)

“The scope, sweep and depth of this seven-song album is remarkable ranging from upbeat pop-prog (the shimmering acoustic ballad “Song for Amara”) to majestic symphonic rock (the Phillip Glass-esque “Blizzard Conditions”), to epic 1970s-style prog (“Tikal,” a 26-minute, nine part orchestral suite that channels early Genesis).”
-Progression Magazine Fall/Winter 2008
-Nick Tate

“Hey Pat
Great stuff on your sampler disc. You are so accomplished. I can’t believe you played all those parts. Very musical and melodic stuff. Thanks for the idea and for the music.”
Phideaux Xavier
(Phideaux)

(Harmonic Intent)
“……very intricate and organic…..spellbinding arpeggios and repetitive finger techniques….multi tracked guitars doing some amazing things this side of Michael Hedges or John Martyn….the precision care and inherent sense of melodicism Pat dedicates to these 11 tracks are precious indeed…..”
Eric Harabadian – Progression Magazine spring 2012

(Kontrast)
“…..covers a lot of stylistic territory,from singer – songwriter balladeering to world music, acoustic new age, experimental electronica and even Starcastle like progressive rock…….. equally adept at guitar, keyboards, flute and percussion as well as an amusing wordsmith…….the musics diversity holds up as well as O’Connell’s impressive solo auteur-ism, a la Michael Oldfield….”
Eric Harabadian – Progression Magazine spring 2012

“Standouts include “Ballad of Dr.Heywood Floyd” (a trance-prog rocker that echos Brian Eno’s tribal-rhythm workout and “Somber Reptiles”.) and “Space the Final Frontier” a space rock ode to Star Trek’s Gene Roddenberry featuring soaring Synth-Guitar lines.”
-Progression Magazine Autumn 2010
-Nick Tate

-prog rocker that echos Brian Eno’s tribal-rhythm workout and “Somber Reptiles”.) and “Space the Final Frontier” a space rock ode to Star Trek’s Gene Roddenberry featuring soaring Synth-Guitar lines.”
-Progression Magazine Autumn 2010
-Nick Tate

“A wonderfully entertaining and educational aspect of publishing a progressive music magazine is the offbeat characters I encounter along these proverbial roads less traveled. Our music tends to attract independent free thinkers who inhabit society’s colorful fringes. They often have something interesting or inspirational to share and, occasionally, great wisdom to draw from. The other day I received an email from Pat O’Connell, whose brilliant solo album Tikal was reviewed last issue. Pat was backpacking through Indonesia and stopped somewhere en route to drop me a line. Speaking of “roads less traveled”… I’m envious!”
-Progression Magazine Winter/Spring 2009
-John Collinge
“A creative and challenging musical work”
-Anthony Violanti – Buffalo News Gusto

“Kontrast is a highly diverse and enjoyable album and reveals Pat O’Connell as an artist with a wide breadth of talents. Three and a half stars/Four.”
– Jeff Miers – Buffalo Beat

“Rich dreamy music to actually listen to, I really like this one I’m going to keep it.”
-Uncle Hondo – Lockport music paper

“An original concept that allows the audience to experience the extraordinary range of O’Connell’s talents”
-Mara Mcginnis – Nightlife magazine

“A new age sound with progressive percussion and enlightened instrumentation for some relaxing enjoyment”
– Michele Picardo – Freetime magazine

“Flashes his command of instruments and music….. delightful instrumentals”
-Anthony Violanti – Buffalo News Gusto

“Buffalo area musician and songwriter keeps his listeners off balance”
-Buffalo beat spotlight

“A very pleasant album… instrumentals that feature Pat’s awesome acoustic playing”
– Dave Gomlak – Licks music reviews

“The album to listen to if you want great music without the hype”
– John 3:13 – Extreme magazine