Holding Pattern ~ USA ~ Hartford, Connecticut

Holding Pattern (1981) + Majestic (1981-1990 / 1991)

Holding Pattern were a very good progressive rock band from Hartford, Connecticut, and who released one EP in 1981, and resurfaced again in 2007 with their first full length album. Majestic is the first CD reissue of the EP, and also includes roughly 50 minutes of unique archival material - live and studio - from 1981 to 1990. Given its hodgepodge nature (modern home recordings with drum machines, live tracks from the early 80s, a lonely commercial styled single), the overall CD is not near as consistent or as satisfying as the EP itself. The highlights are clearly the live material from the band's progressive rock heyday (tracks 10-14) and represent ~30 minutes of music, making this CD clearly worth the effort to find.  Of course, you can expect the quality of the live recordings to be varied, but certainly more than acceptable.

---12/18/25

Some further notes: The EP is all instrumental, with lots of 70s analog keyboard gear. Tony Spada's guitar playing is very expressive. This was released in the American progressive rock private press heyday of the late 70s and early 80s. So many bands were too late to the dance, so it was a do-it-yourselfer culture. It's a pity there wasn't more of a focus from the majors at this time, as we could have experienced quite a different 80s landscape. Of course one has to follow the money in a capitalist society, so it certainly makes sense these albums were "in the closet" as it were.

I think the track ordering of this CD should have been different. I would have placed the 1981 live recordings immediately after the EP (which the band calls a mini-LP fwiw). Then the 1983 single, followed by the mid 80s material. The contemporary tracks from 1990 sound really out of place. I remember the mindset of the day, and many of the musicians didn't see themselves anywhere near "retirement", and felt their latest material was just as good as their earlier work. But truth is it sounds more like Joe Satriani than the prog rock theme the album projects.

I also didn't discuss the single 'Mercenary' in depth, but I like it from an historical perspective. It's true what the liner notes say, that Spada does sound somewhat like John Wetton. So, yes, one can't escape a certain Asia influence here. One with a true progressive rock mid-song break. The flip side is a slightly shorter version of one of the album tracks. Today this single is very rare. The liners say that 500 were pressed. If true, it would appear very few actually sold, or found there way into collections. As of today, only three claim ownership on Discogs. These numbers don't mesh.

Ownership: 1991 Art Sublime (CD). Housed in an LP gatefold jacket. Liner notes in the gatefold. Insert about the label and packaging concept.

7//91 (acquired); 11/6/16 (review); 12/18/25 (update)

Also own and need to review Breaking the Silence.

11/6/16 (new entry)