PATRICIA VONNE: Guitars & Castanets

Patricia Vonne

Guitars & Castanets

© 2005 Corazong Records (8502950018064)

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Americana, Latin and Rock

notes

On her second album Guitars & Castanets, Patricia Vonne gives her storytelling a jolt of good ol' rock & roll energy, letting tracks like "Rebel Bride" and "Joe's Gone Ridin'" (a tribute to likeminded pioneer Joe Ely) kick down the doors, slam you up against the wall and plant a wet one right on your mouth. Acoustic tunes like "La Gitana de Triana" and "Guitarras y Castanuelas," meanwhile, reflect her Latin American heritage without skimping on the energy level. Vonne also brings a much-needed sense of glamour to the proceedings, blowing a lot of the dust off her Southwestern art direction with a sexy glare that reeks of self-confidence. Is the No Depression crowd ready for Glamericana? Let's hope so. Michael Toland/High Bias

NY Times Syndicate
John Shelton Ivany Top 21

Right on the trail of Joe, the gypsy rock'n'roots of Patricia Vonne paints a picture of a rail riding cowboy with the broad brush strokes of Vonne's pouty vocals. She spits poison, "Don't mess with Texas or a green eyed girl," as she pulls the chorus out and down: "Joe's gone ridin', ridin' on the rail." A pleasing start for this Renaissance woman of Austin, Texas. The opening has everything to hook one into the sound of Vonne: she sings, plays the guitar, and tells a story, rather than confessing; we're no priests. "Texas Burning" is the affable follower to the tale of human greed and a gypsy cowboy, and then there is the spanish gem "La Gitana De Triana." Vonne's voice becomes a sensuous syllable slicer as she moves through nights, days and passed la Cruza de Guadalquivir.

In a rollicking call, Vonne sets ablaze matrimony with "Rebel Bride." The song stands about as close to a Billy Idol song as Vonne will ever get, however that may just be "White Wedding" residue. The song is an emphatic ode to the tradition of eloping, rather than going through the mess of a white wedding. The title track, or more properly "Guitarras y Castanuelas," centers on the Castilian slurs of Vonne, and the track was co-written by the innovative independent director Senor Robert Rodriguez. The narrative of "Guitarras y Castanuelas" shows the signs of Rodriguez, and is the finest Spanish track on the album. The rock rage of "Sax Maniac" is as far from the Frontera as Vonne ever gets; and thankfully she makes it. The Green-eyed beauty of Sin City proves she is much more than a sweet face on Guitars and Castanets.

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HARP
RANTS and FAVES

Patricia Vonne
Guitars and Castanets (Corazong)

Austin singer-sonwriter Patricia Vonnes self- titled debut stunned with its multi-faceted songs thatblend folk (American,Spanish, and Mexican), rock, country and blues. Her second album is as diversely influenced but streamlined; the previaling sound is a hybrid of cowpunk and paisley underground (think Rank and File vs. the Gun Club)—and ideal foundation for Vonne’s cool, sultry, cinematic songs. She’s a beguiling storyteller and wastes no word or note as she lionizes musical heroes Joe Ely (Joe’s Gone Ridin’) and Johnny Reno (who plays himself on “Sax Maniac”), romanticizes biker gangs (“Lonesome Rider”) and rewires wedding songs (the rip-snorting guitar- driven “ Rebel Bride”. Vonne also honors her Spanish roots, singing—en espanol—of gypsies (“La Gitana de Triana” and “Guitarras y Castanuelas”) and celebrations (“Fiesta Sangria”) over clicking castanets and nylon –string guitar. (These songs could seem out of place or indulgent, but Vonne pulls them off smartly.) In all, this is a fun, immensely satisfying listen—if her debut was flat- out stunning, call this a knockout.
-Randy Harwood


NO DEPRESSION
Guitars and Castanets


With a sultry, blood-red vocal style and a dramatic songwriting flair, the strikingly exotic Patricia Vonne combines south-of-the-border mariachi sizzle, southwestern mythology, Texas roots-rock and spaghetti western cinematic sweep on this compelling bilingual effort. She certainly comes by the cinematic connection honestly: She portrayed Dallas (aka “Zorro Girl”) in her brother’s ( director Robert Rodriguez) recent noir jolter Sin City; the closing track,, “Traeme Paz”, appeared on the soundtrack to his Once Upon a Time in Mexico); and Rodriguez takes co-writing credit on this disc’s title cut. Robert LaRoche plays a key role, co-writing seven tracks with Vonne and providing sturdy guitar and backing vocals throughout. There are also contributions from Jon Dee Graham, saxophonist Johnny Reno, nylon string guitar maven Rick Del Castillo and keyboardist Michael Ramos. For all the variety, Vonne fairs best by far on such evocative Spanish-language beauties as “La Gitana de Triana”, “Guitarras y Castanuelas” and “Fiesta Sangria”, along with Joe’s Gone Ridin’ “ ( a salute to Joe Ely), the loping “Long Season, and the harrowing “Blood on the Tracks”. Overall, Guitars and Castanets is a bold venture dripping with passion and style.
-Jim Musser

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AUSTIN CHRONICLE March 4, By Margaret Moser

She plays castanets, she works without a net, and the audience likes it better when she walks onstage. With the release of Guitars & Castanets, Patricia Vonne's second album stakes her claim on Texas border rock and mines a rich vein of golden Mexican rhythms. "Being one of 10 children in San Antonio, there was always music in the house," says Vonne. "My mom would sing to us in Spanish and have us harmonize. My dad was a drummer in college, so he always had a kit in the house. They loved having mariachis come to our house. I also grew up listening to my brother's record collection of Cruzados, Lone Justice, and Johnny Reno. I always loved Southern rock and the diverse mix in the music I was hearing."

"My brother" is her elder sibling, director Robert Rodriguez, with whom she shares a close bond. The two work together as time and projects permit. Vonne's "Traeme Paz," a bonus track on her new album, was also featured on the soundtrack of Rodriguez's Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

Vonne and Rodriguez also co-authored her album's title track, a Spanish language version called "Guitarras y Casta-uelas."

"I'm really proud of this song in particular," Vonne emphasizes, "because I co-wrote it with Robert, whom I enjoy writing with so much, and we wrote it for Alejandro Escovedo, who inspired it. Remember the song 'Castanets' that Al wrote? He'd let me join him onstage with my castanets, so this is my way of thanking him."

The castanets set Vonne apart. They're her instrument of choice, and their distinctive tone is a hallmark of her music. Novices to her shows may be surprised to see her sinewy swaying onstage as husband Robert LaRoche accompanies her on Spanish guitar. Her lanky, strikingly beautiful appearance suggests a haute couture model, and indeed a stint modeling inspired her to start her own band.

Guitars & Castanets will add many dates to Vonne's already burgeoning calendar. Her music takes her all over, an experience she treasures. "I traveled to Europe for the third time this past year," she notes. "I visited Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany. The audiences there are so wonderful and generous."

Yet there's no place like home for Vonne, who, like her brother, lives in Austin. The town's constant creative flow puts her on record in the fine company of Charlie Sexton and Jon Dee Graham as well as popular producer Carl Thiel. Songs like "Rebel Bride" transcend the singer-songwriter genre with a twist.

"The rhythm of the song was surf-inspired. I just love that drumbeat, and I envisioned a rebel bride! I'd always wanted to write a sexy, rockin' wedding song. A woman who knows what she wants. She lassos her man and they elope!"

The image is so theatrical as to suggest a broader scope for her songs. Patricia Vonne keeps one eye on her options. "I'm always putting out feelers to film and TV for my songs, so we'll see."

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  • Shivers
    author: Jay Renzo

    Hee, just came home and found this CD sent to me by a friend as a present. Since I like stuff from the hot deserts. Never heard of the lady but she's good. If this cd melts in my player or is superglued in the tray I wouldn't mind. Helter Skelter, rock on...Pat Vonne

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