Nothing like starting out the summer with a bang! On Saturday, June 4, I participated in the SAM HINTON FOLK HERITAGE FESTIVAL, held this year at Grosssmont College in El Cajon, CA. Headlining this year's fest were PEGGY WATSON, PINT & DALE, and the legendary TOM PAXTON, one of the finest and most literate performing songwriters on the planet!
Accompanying me were RISA GOLDBERG (who held forth in stellar fashion on her accordian and many rhythm instruments) and the multi-talented banjo player/bassist PETE VARHOLA. Together we presented a workshop entitled "SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW: SONGMAKING AND TRADITIONAL MUSIC WORKSHOP," followed by a set on the concert stage, capped off by two performances of my JUMPIN’ UP!™ SONGS. Pete and Risa made it a magical musical experience!
Cudos to TIM DAY and DICK JAY, and the FOLK HERITAGE VOLUNTEERS for putting together a wonderful day of music and learning.
The European trip has been magical thus far, full of surprises, good food and music, and a camera full of photos of new (and old) places and pals. First it was Prague; then Munich, and now Paris for a week, before heading back to the States. Lots more to come -- so stay tuned...
For years I've read romantic accounts of Paris and Prague--sidewalk cafès, grated balconies; fine food and wines; musicians in every park--an idyllic portrait of the "good life," as lived by the life-loving Europeans.
And now, finally, here I sit, at my own open Paris window, looking out, not over a cobblestoned lane (like in the movies), but rather an admittedly drab inside courtyard. Sipping a glass of Bordeaux, guitar in hand, I wait for romantic French images to magically roll in, so I can, at long last, write my "Song about Paris."
Sounds of rambunctious kids and their mother speaking to them in Portuguese, intrude on the reverie. As does the arguing of a verbose trio of painters clambering up a rickty scaffolding to repair peeling paint on a next-door apartment wall. Two cats mew hungrily, and the breeze wafts the greasy smell of fish frying right into my room! Acchh! How can I possibly write my song with all this?
Wait! A small voice in the back of my head says. Pay attention! Go downstairs and meet those kids! And as the fishy courtyard breeze bangs my window open and shut, open and shut, my eyes and ears begin to open. And wonder of wonders--a song begins to percolate. Not inspired by romantic images, mind you, but by the down-to-earth sights, sounds, and (and smells!) of regular local folk, going about their daily business.
And then, I take my guitar down two flights of stairs, find the kids, and we have our own international wang-dang-doodle. We don't speak each other's languages but we have a grand ol' time singing and jumpin' up together.
I have to admit, cafè nightlife is intoxicating; the Eiffel Tower grand; and Monet's Giverney Garden, a botanical wonder. But what touches my heart, enlivens my spirit, and gets my hand moving across the page, are the kids and moms and painters and kitty cats here, all doing usual, everyday things.
And that, dear friends, is what it's all about. And I hope someday I can sing my song for you.
We've spent the past several months redesigning PATTY'S NEWS so that you'll be able to get the latest scoop on where Patty is and what she's up to -- just as soon as it happens! So, bookmark this page, and visit often to stay in the know about Patty's doings.
JUST BE GLAD!, my new (not to mention, first) CD has finally been completed, and sent off to Nashville to be mastered. The designer and annotator are wrapping up their work as well. Soon-- very soon--what has been an exhilarating work-in progress will be out and available. And am I ever glad!
We'll soon have a link on the PATTY'S PRODUCTS page for ordering. Meantime, for a sneak preview of JUST BE GLAD!'s offerings, visit the HEAR PATTY LIVE page.
JUST BE GLAD!, the inaugural PATTY HALL CD, has been released and is available for ordering.
Many months in the making JUST BE GLAD! is an eclectic mix of the old and new; a zesty blend of traditional, contemporary, and original; a basketful of the robust, the poignant, and the thought-provoking. It comes complete with an illustrated liner-note booklet and an old fashioned song-lyric “broadside” so you can sing along (we'll also be posting the broadside at www.pattyhall.com).
PATTY will soon be touring the West and other environs to promote JUST BE GLAD! If there is a coffeehouse or bookstore in your town that might be interested in Patty's NATIVE DAUGHTER OF THE GOLDEN WEST™ musical showcase, or a local radio station (NPR affiliate, or otherwise) that might play a cut or two from JUST BE GLAD!,
