I Write The Book, The Longer You Wait, You Don't Have Me, Under
These Clouds, Let Your Freedom Ring, Off You Go
The opening six songs of this CD cover Patty's very first official release - a cassette
that was sold at her early gigs in and around Boston, Massachusetts. The tracks were
recorded in 1991 at a small garage-studio behind the suburban Arlington house she lived in
with her then-husband, Nick.
The first few lines of "Under These Clouds" refer to Patty's frustration with
her job, at the time of the song's writing, as a waitress at the Harvard Square
(Cambridge, MA) Pizzeria Uno restaurant.
When Patty was given a recording contract, and began cutting tracks with producer Nile
Rogers in 1994 (for an album that was never released), the tape was made unavailable.
Song For The Eighties
Probably the earliest written song on this collection, although not the earliest
recording. At least four years after writing it, Patty included it in her live shows in
1994. This recording (and others marked with a *) features second guitar by John Curtis,
of the Pousette-Dart Band.
We Are Water
Written about a friend of Patty's, who was preparing to move from the Boston area.
Patty would later say, "The song must have worked...he stayed."
Cat's Out Of The Bag
A fan favorite of her club shows in this, the early phase of her career. She
rarely, if ever, left it out of the set-list.
No More Pioneers*
At the time of this club recording, Patty was traveling from Boston to New York
City on a weekly basis to work on her album project with Nile Rogers. At her gigs, Patty
would often mention her awe of the session singers doing their backing parts for this
song.
All The Rain
A favorite of Patty's, this 1994 song was also tracked for the never-released Nile
Rogers album.
When Something's Broken
I Wonder
Shells
Written in 1994 about the situation in Bosnia. This live cut was recorded in May,
1997.
White Dove*
A song Patty wrote in October, 1994, for the award-winning bluegrass band, Southern
Rail. On this recording, John Curtis supplies harmony vocals and fluid guitar.
Time Of The Dance
Patty wrote this "about being married and living in a cold winter"
Connie And Val
Possibly written about experiences Patty had during her time spent working at
telephone information for Harvard University.
Pushing Thirty*
Breaking Skin
Bubba's Sulky Lounge
Inspired by the name of a bar in Patty's then hometown of Portland, Maine.
CD 2
Made Of Clay
Written in 1992.
Truth, Unnecessary
Both songs are Taken from a demo tape that would eventually become the CD,
"Living With Ghosts."
A Place To Stand
Written in September, 1994.
Heart Of The Wound
Written in the fall of 1994.
Holy Water
Patty called this her "catholic rock and roll" song. This version is
taken from a live broadcast she did on the radio station of Boston's Emerson College
(WERS) in 1995.
Buck Naked Heart
No More Illusions
Introduced at gigs as "a song about America."
Boxes On The Lawn
Patty, "This is for Linda."
Nail In The Coffin
Written about a friend of Patty's. This track was recorded in September, 1994 at a
club in Massachusetts.
Waterslide
Falling Down
Covered by Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris on their 1999 album "Western Wall
- The Tucson Sessions."
The Long Ride Home
Calling Me Home
Taken from a concert at the Whitney Barn (Hamden, CT) on May 23, 1997.
Vertigo
Night
So Long
This song was influenced by Johnny Cash. Patty: "...I never really realized
the sex appeal that a man his age could have until I saw him in person."
Nobody's Crying
Recorded on March 8, 1998, at the Cactus Cafe in what had become patty's hometown,
Austin, Texas.
Cain
Taken from the Lilith Fair double-CD released in 1998.