Mr. Spot Barnett is a legend in his own time. Recently, Spot 'Vernon' Barnett was inducted into The Music Hall of fame in Austin, Texas!! As you know, he has been playing in the music scene for many years. He is one of the most musically proficient people around, both instrumentation and theory. His musical education began at a young age. Including lessons from another local legend, Clifford Scott while Spot was in junior high school! He went on to earn his music degree. Spot has accompanied and enhanced the music of many performers. He does so out of love for the music as his incentive. When Spot Barnett plays it isn't just a concert, it is a musical happening!
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Patrice began her musical career with Judy Garland. Since she was eight years old, she sang along with her mother's Judy Garland albums every day until she left home at a young age. Once in a while, she would sneak into a club and sing with her brother, Vance Villastrigo. Unlike Spot, she had no formal music training. She just keeps on singing because she loves to sing! She once said, "For me singing is like breathing, I can't live without it!" It has been her intention to record a few of her favorite songs for years, just never took the time. Thanks to the constant effort of her dear, dear friends Spot Barnett and Tony Lara she finally did it......they did it!!!
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This would not have been possible without the concerted efforts of Mr. Tony Lara with whom I have been performing for 25 years. His excellence and proficiency in the studio kept us moving ahead smoothly. Not only are his orchestrations, and feel for the music...I mean every beat of it...perfect, but his style and sense of timing is unparalleled within our community as a pianist and producer!
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Earl Hassan and Pete Ojeda gave so much of their time and energy to this asking for very little in return. Pete took time away from his family and Earl away from his many charitable causes. No better friends can be found than the ones performing here. Skinny Llama Records has completed the CD. You are all invited to our CD release party in November (TBA)!!
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A note from Patrice: " These are basically raw, live recordings. The musicians who performed with me were patient, kind and ever-encouraging! A new hearstring has formed in my heart for each of them!!
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I am grateful to Joe Trevino, engineer and Bluecat Studio owner, for his words of wisdom and ever present support (another new heartstring!!) He insisted that the subtle imperfections, which I wanted to change, were what made the "live" recordings so charming!
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Then, my brother Vance pointed out that, "every other note Frank Sinatra sang was flat and nobody seemed to mind, neither Frank nor his fans!!" How very charming indeed!
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Enjoy.......... Thanks for Listening...we welcome your comments, critiques, questions and/or answers!!
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Photos: Album Cover: JeffreyTruitt.com ~ Most of these photographs were taken by Patrice: Try A Little Tenderness: The Back Roads of Greece. Satchmo Medley: Topeki Palace, Turkey. Her Photo Exhibit, sponsored by Blue Star, will be at Semmes Library through January 5, 2009. Contact Info:
[email protected] ~ 001 (210) 846-4646
