Album Notes

Before all else, Patrice Pike is a tremendous songwriter, a fact sometimes obscured by the seductive powers of her vocal dexterity. She is also an astute social observer and critic. A committed activist, her lyrics and delivery reveal an emotional intensity that is often applied not only to the stuff of life, but to deeply held convictions on a broad range of issues. Her stylistic breadth is rare, and this inability to pigeonhole her only adds to her appeal. Few artists have ever swung so effortlessly from alt-country to jazz to folk to R&B. I believe her greatest gifts are amplified by the pared down acoustic landscape of this live recording.

On the evening of Tuesday March 2, 2004, the mythical Brushwood Lounge happened to manifest at our home venue, the venerable Black Bart Playhouse in the tiny Sierra foothill burg of Murphys, California. Full house, great vibe, and Patrice and her longtime friend and musical companion Wayne Sutton put on a spectacular show. The result is a recording that feels and sounds handcrafted, honest, and intensely personal. To me, the music of Patrice Pike is a refreshing find. After casting about in that increasingly bleak mass media wasteland, it's a joy to find there is often great art being made along the cultural side streets and back alleys. Sometimes it takes a little effort to seek this music out, but then there is that undeniable pleasure of discovery. If you like what you hear, we hope you will share this music, preferably in a manner that insures the artists are justly compensated! - Pride S. Wright, Brushwood Institute