"Is This Love" by Pat Travers Band

Song#:  0172
Date:  05/17/1980
Debut:  84
Peak:  50
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Canada is not necessarily known for supplying blues-rock artists, but Travers is probably the most universally known and appreciated. However, it took a move to London for him to get signed to a label - Polydor. His self-title debut came out in 1976 and garnered attention, but it wasn't until 1978 that he broke through to the US market. His most successful album was 1980's "Crash and Burn," which featured this single. But in many ways it is not the most popular song from the album. The song "Snortin' Whisky" was a top rock radio hit and became one of his most well-known songs. Travers would not hit the pop chart again and by the mid-80s his sales were in deep decline and he was without a label contract. He still continues to tour and record and has been cited as a major influence by many guitar players.

ReduxReview:  As remakes go (see below), I guess this one is okay. It's pretty faithful to the original, but has more of a slick sound to it which takes away some of Marley's exotic edge. I don't mind it at all, but I highly prefer the original.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This is a remake of Bob Marley's famous song from his 1978 "Kaya" album. It never charted here in the US (it hit #9 in the UK) by Marley and this version by Travers is the only one that has.  2) Travers resides in Florida and holds a Black Belt in Isshin Ryu Karate.

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