STRONG MEDICINE
attitude • soul • power
With the voice and musicianship on Patty Reese’s latest release Strong Medicine, it couldn’t be more clear that the medicine is working. After a standing ovation following her performance at the packed Strathmore Music Center during the recent Woodstock tribute, Patty Reese’s attitude with soulful expression and her powerhouse pipes proved a match for the likes of Janis Joplin and other prolifi c and important artists. Other comparisons have been made, that Reese claims as infl uences, including Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
Patty Reese performs more than 250 dates a year, released a WAMMIE award winning album “Here and Now” and has garneredmultiple songwriting awards over theyears. Her powerhouse vocals, strong work ethic and honed songwriting skills have led her to the recording of her best work to date Strong Medicine. On the new CD, between acoustic guitar-accompanied story songs and powerful songs backed by a full band, Patty puts all of her crafts to work. The title track, Strong Medicine, tells of the healing power of love with a beguiling, smokey vocal performance over a blues groove reminiscent of Al Green. “Last Call for Love,” a closing time, slow dance, anthem; is perhaps the most revealing of Patty’s style—direct sincerity with a soulful delivery. Crowd pleaser “Who’s Got Your Back” resonates soundly as the song’s Roots Rock, Surf, and Blues tones are juxtaposed with the lyrics’ “Gospel truth.” Among the originals by Reese, also are three tracks—all standout unique versions of other artists songs including “Keep Me in Your Heart” (Warren Zevon), “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (George Harrison) and “Buckets
of Rain,” (Bob Dylan) which all perfectly showcase Reese’s intimate, tender and dynamic vocal range.
The CD features guitarist Dave Chappell; bassist Sonny Petrosky; drummers John Thomakos and Andy Hamburger, keyboardist Brian Simms; with special guest appearances by award winning musicians and/or vocalists, Deanna Bogart, Donna Britton, Nadine Rae, Jen Smith and Jay Britton. Says Reese: “I feel a new level of maturity in these songs and the title track “Strong Medicine”, actually the whole CD, translates into music my awareness of the power of love and my willingness to grow beyond my past goals.”
AWARDSWashington Area Music Association
(WAMMIES): Pop/Rock Album,
Rock Pop Vocalist and Artist Website
• Northern California Songwriters
Association honors
• Mid Atlantic Song Contest honors
• TrueValue Hardware National
Songwriting Top 10 Contest winner
FESTIVALSCamden Yards (National Anthem);
Rehoboth Jazz Festival; Sunfest;
East Coast Jazz Fest; Rockville City
Festival; California Expo and State
Fair; Montgomery County Fair;
Maryland Wine Festival;
Baltimore’s Artscape; and concert
venues in Key West, Myrtle Beach,
Mt. Shasta, Sacramento & NYC DC AREA VENUESThe Birchmere • Blues Alley • 9:30
Club • Strathmore • Recher Theater
• Avalon Theater • Ramshead Main
Stage • IOTA Club & Cafe RECORDINGS“Strong Medicine” on Azalea City
Recordings,
“Here and Now,“
“The Broad Highway”
“A Night toRemember,” “One Night Stand” featuring Patty Reese
“The feeling that Patty puts in her music, her soulful, bluesy voice and her personality make her a staple at the Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival. I get hundreds of demo CDs a year. Patty’s new CD is my favorite.”
—Don Hooker, Producer Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival
“The uniqueness and flexibility of her voice, combined with the maturity, polish and professionalism of her songwriting...make her a triple-threat—une chanteuse
extraordinaire. ...one special talent on the verge of a breakthrough.”
—Musician Magazine
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