The album was conceived in the quarantined months of 2021 when the Soubrettes were rehearsing over Zoom and, like many singing groups at the time, turning towards recording technology as a way to hear their voices together while singing alone. Singers began recording their parts, one at a time, singing into a mic on Anna’s porch with audio cables draped out her office window. An array of instrumentalists added audio to the project, including Anna’s father Will Patton on bass and mandolin, Eugene Uman on keys, Dono Schabner on guitar, Caleb Bronz on drums, and Anna on clarinet.
The Singers:
Ruth Allard
Carrie Walker
Lani Wright
Andi Matthews
Audrey Knuth
Marcia Brewster
Beth Kiendl
Kristen Planeaux
Deb Patton
Andrea Nettleton
Mary Patterson
Alex Deis-Lauby
Louise Zak
Elise Burrows
Carol Crawford
Carlene Raper
Ellen Levy
Ruth Sessions
Laura Keeler
Pamela White
Annie Winkler
Annie Guion
Anna Patton
guest singers (on just one track):
Emma Schneider
Jean Squires
Haley Anderson
Laura Goldblatt
The instrumentalists:
Will Patton, upright bass and mandolin
Dono Schabner, guitar
Eugene Uman, keys
Caleb Bronz, drums
Anna Patton, clarinet, tenor guitar (track 10)
Kirsten Lamb, upright bass (track 12)
All arrangements by Anna Patton.
Produced and engineered by Anna Patton, with additional engineering by Will Patton, Ben Patton, Caleb Bronz, and several of the singers. Mixed by Dana Billings and mastered by Andre Maquera. Graphics by Haley Anderson, cover art by Marcia Brewster.
TRACKS:
Town
A Mose Allison instrumental with lyrics and arrangement by Anna Patton, honoring the downtown life of Brattleboro Vermont. Soloists: Carrie Walker, soprano; Kristen Planeaux, soprano; Dono Schabner, guitar; Anna Patton, clarinet.
I’m in a mood tonight. Will somebody take me to town?
I think I should walk it around
’cause I need a whiff of the pizza and the coffee beans.
I could brood all night or I could go out and get down
There’s got to be music in town,
There’s got to be somebody piping a beat into the street.
I’m in a state, and the state that I’m in is
stuck-er than a sticky piece a’ duct tape.
But it could be great to look at a fire truck.
A red and shiny fire truck.
When I review my life, I’ll tell you just one thing I’ve found:
There’s more than enough sitting ’round, so take me to town!
Yes, I’m stir crazy, and I could prob’ly use some hand-made soaps or some envelopes, And did’ja know? There’s always free pop-corn by the bag in the sporting goods store.
And I wanna see the kids in the skate park trying’ their heel flip, kick flip indy grab.
One more, try it again, one more.
There’ll be people there I know–I can get all the latest news.
(No, I’d not refuse a little juicy bit a’ gossip.)
And I know a patio where you can order a carrot juice
(I know where to get the juice) and listen to some very philosophical conversations.
Then I’ll look at the posters on the bulletin board,
The mind boggles, ain’t it astounding you can take thai-chi or learn to be a clown
in this busy little town tonight.
So quick, while the sky is still light,
I gotta just do what feels right.
I’m going to town. Nobody try to stop me.
Oh I could brood all night, or I cound go dancing: hip hop, zumba, contradance.
Just wanna wave my hands and move my feet!
There’s got to be somebody piping a beat into the street.
I’m in a state, and the state that I’m in is
stuck-er than a sticky piece a’ duct tape.
But it could be great to look at a fire truck.
A red and shiny fire truck.
When I review my life, I’ll tell you just one thing I’ve found:
There’s more than enough sitting ’round, so take me to town!
Quick while the sky is light,
I gotta go–it’s feelin’ right.
Sure I could stay and hunker down with cabin fever and a frown,
yeah, or I could up and go to town.
Old Advice
By Harry D’Agostino of the band Upstate. Soloists: Ruth Allard, soprano; Will Patton, mandolin and bass; Eugene Uman, rhodes; Anna Patton, clarinet.
One of these days it’s all gonna come around.
Don’t you let the drudgery between wear you down.
Just keep your gaze a little farther down the road.
You keep looking at the ground you’re bound to lose where you’re going.
(My mama told me, she said:)
Day in and day out I know it’s hard to keep your head about you.
It takes thick skin to hold out while the world crashes in around you.
Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep you hand steady.
Well, the water may rise and put cracks in your levee.
The weight that you carry it might be too heavy.
Some of these days when you get knocked around
trouble sure looks bigger when you’re staring up from on the ground.
Don’t be dismayed by a fight that you can’t win.
Better to lose on your feet than to lose on your chin.
Day in and day out…
Stay With Me
By Lewis Franco and Jonathan Hertz. Soloists: Annie Winkler, Bass; Anna Patton, clarinet.
The jungle floor may tremble. Flocks may disassemble
when the elephants are marching on their way.
The monkeys all go tree-ing. The wildebeests go fleeing
but don’t forget about the ones who just stay.
The lions head to battle when the antelopes skedaddle.
Yet the king of beasts will turn and run some day.
And, in their mad retreat, they do not notice at their feet
that there are those who have no choice except to stay.
I’ll stay right here although my heart is pounding with fear.
When you have no choice you learn how to stay.
i’ll stay where I am and I know I’m in a jam.
But I’m telling you truly: it would mean so much if you’d stay with me.
The powerful and wealthy are suddenly unhealthy.
The king is not protected by his castle and his moat.
And we in the animal kingdom with songs un-sung must sing them.
Like it or not, we are all in the same boat.
I’ll stay right here…
Lazy
By Irving Berlin. Soloists: Carlene Raper, Beth Kiendl, Lani Wright, Annie Winkler, Andi Matthews, Ruth Sessions, Louise Zak; Anna Patton, clarinet. Additional lyrics by Anna Patton.
Lazy, I want to be lazy. I want to be
out in the sun with no work to be done.
Under that awning they call the sky,
stretching and yawning and let the world go drifting by.
I want to peep through the deep, tangled wildwood.
Counting sheep till I sleep like a child would.
With a great big valise full of books to read where it’s peaceful
while I’m killing time being lazy.
Hammock sitting 101. Topics include:
- How there perfect location can lift your mood
- Tying the hammock to the tree of your choosing
- Philosophies of swaying and snoozing
- How to make the busy world leave you alone
- How to turn off your phone
- Making each hammock-sitting moment of bliss count and
- Techniques for a graceful dismount
- Bird song
- Breezes
- Cloud formations
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,
I want eight, nine, ten-day vacations!
I brought a stack of all the library books I could borrow.
War and Peace… I think I’ll start that one tomorrow.
I’ve got time. All day, you know
I’m killing time being lazy.
There Aren’t Enough Love Songs
By Ben Patton. Soloists: Ruth Sessions, spoken word; Dono Schabner, guitar; Anna Patton, clarinet. Love-song cacophony by Anna Patton.
I used to think that songs of romance were far from profound. Why must these lyricists all tread the same shallow ground? I used to laugh at the crap that the crooners sang. Then one day you walked into my life, and…
Boom! Pow! Bang!
There aren’t enough love songs in all the world
For me to express this thing I’m at the mercy of.
Songwriters may pen a million a year but they will have to start getting in gear
If they wanna even scratch the surface of my love.
There aren’t enough love songs, not even close,
So let Caruso sing until his throat is sore. There used to be enough for me before.
But now that I met you they’ll have to write more.
(love song cacophony)
Oh, there aren’t enough love songs in all the world
For me to express this thing I’m at the mercy of.
If ev’ry minute ten more are begat they’ll simply have to do better than that
If they wanna even scratch the surface of my love, scratch it!
There aren’t enough love songs, not even close,
So let the tenors butcher serenades galore! There used to be enough for me before.
But now that I met you they’ll have to write more.
Disappointed Blues
By Deb Patton. Soloist: Will Patton, mandolin.
I’ve had one disappointment after another and I ask myself “what more can I lose?”
But I’ve still got the morning. Springtime is coming
And the sun beats down on my lonely-hearted blues.
The gentle wind’s gonna soothe my aching head, yes it will.
And when the day is done I watch the setting sun from Saint Albans hill
And when I get back to my humble shack
Although I’m sad and lonely, lost my one and only
got the stars above me and a dog that loves me.
When I climb those stairs with a heavy head
Although my heart’s still pinin’ there’s moonlight shinin’ in on my bed.
My Favorite Things
By Rogers & Hammerstein, based on the performance by McCoy Tyner. Additional lyrics by Anna Patton. Quintet soloists: Kristen Planeaux, Anna Patton, Deb Patton, Andi Matthews, Beth Kiendl.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
brown paper packages tied up with strings–
these are a few of my favorite things.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
snow flakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
silver white winters that melt into springs–
these are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites, when the bee stings,
scared of bad news when the phone rings
When the bee stings, when the dog bites,
when your back aches–keeps you up nights.
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudel,
doorbells and sleigh-bells and schnitzel with noodles,
wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings–
these are a few of my favorite things.
Da-da-da….
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
snow flakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
silver white winters that melt into springs–
these are a few of my favorite things.
When I’m blundering, when I’m feeling bad,
when it’s thundering like the sky is mad.
Girls in white, candle light, steeple bell, wood-fire smell,
melting ice, edelweiss blossoming into spring.
I try to remember, I try to remember
wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings, mmm
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
brown paper packages tied up with strings–
these are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites, when the bee stings,
scared of bad news when the phone rings
When the bee stings, when the dog bites,
when your back aches–keeps you up nights.
When you get stuck, when the crop fails,
scared of bad luck when the child wails,
when your back aches, when the car stalls,
when the heart breaks, when the sky falls–
wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
brown paper packages tied up with strings.
Baby Can Dance
By Carsie Blanton.
He got a frame like a busted bike. He got a face that nobody likes to see. Nobody but me.
He got a thing to learn about love. He acts like he ain’t never heard of romance.
So why’d I give him a chance?
My baby can dance, my baby can swing, my baby can shake me slow so I don’t need no other thing.
My baby can dance, my baby can sway, my baby can hold me tight enough to drive my cares away. My baby can dance.
We go out to the joint downtown, I dress up and he dress down but it, it don’t matter one bit.
We got somethin’ better than class. Who needs love when love don’t last that long? All we need is a song.
My baby can dance, my baby can groove, my baby can shut me up so I listen to the music and move
My baby can dance, my baby can sway, my baby can hold me tight enough to drive my cares away. My baby can bap bap ba..
My baby can dance, my baby can sway, my baby can hold me tight enough to drive my cares away.
My baby can ooo, he can oh, he can oo, oh, mm, ah…
My baby can dance, my baby can groove, my baby can shut me up so I listen to the music and move
My baby can dance, my baby can sway, my baby can hold me tight enough to drive my cares away. My baby can…
Frame like a busted bike, My baby can dance.
You’re Getting to be a Habit With Me
By Warren & Dubin, based on performances by Cécile McLorin Salvant. Soloists: Elise Burrows, Audrey Jaber, Ruth Sessions (trio singers), Lani Wright, alto; Andi Matthews, tenor; Will Patton, upright bass, Caleb Bronz, drums.
Every kiss, every hug seems to act just like a drug.
You’re getting to be a habit with me, dear.
Let me stay in your arms. I’m addicted to your charms.
You’re getting to be a habit with me.
I’m used to think that love was something
that I could take or leave alone
but now I couldn’t do without my supply
I need you for my own.
No, I can’t break away. I must have you every day
as regularly as coffee or tea, my dear.
You’ve got me in your clutches and I can’t break free.
You’re getting to be a habit with me–I can’t shake it.
You’re getting to be a habit with me–don’t want to break it.
You’re getting to be a habit with me.
Dream
By Johnny Mercer, from the singing of the Pied Pipers. Soloist: Louise Zak, Bass.
Dream when you’re feeling blue. Dream–that’s the thing to do.
Just watch the smoke rings rise in the air. You’ll find your share of memories there, so
dream when the day is through. Dream and they might come true.
Things never are as bad as they seem, so
dream, dream, dream.
Getting Some Fun out of Life
By Burke & Leslie. Soloist: Beth Kiendl. Additional lyrics by Anna Patton to a Lester Young solo.
When we want to love, we love When we want to kiss, we kiss
With a little petting, we’re getting some fun out of life
When we want to work. we work, when we want to play, we play
In a happy setting, we’re getting some fun out of life
Maybe we do the right thing, maybe we do the wrong.
Spending each day just wending our way along.
When we want to sing, we sing. When we want to dance, we dance.
You can do your betting, we’re getting some fun out of life.
And when I want to canoodle with my sweetie by starlight, we only have to wait for the stars to shine.
Maybe we shouldn’t, oh but maybe we should! And while the jury’s out we might as well be feeling good.
And when we want to make a lot of noise we sing it! And when we want to dance we go all night long.
Some people want to tell us that it’s wrong. No regretting it–we’re getting it out of life.
Really getting some fun.
Maybe we do the right thing, maybe we do the wrong
Spending each day just wending our way along.
But when we want to sing, we sing When we want to dance, we dance.
You can do your betting, we’re getting some fun out of life.
Invisible Choir
By Kris Delmhorst, lyrics adapted from a George Eliot poem. Soloist: Anna Patton, clarinet; Kirsten Lamb, upright bass, Eugene Uman, fender rhodes.
Oh, may I join the invisible choir.
I want to join that invisible choir.
Made of the sweet immortal voices that lift this world up higher.
I want to live after I die.
I want to live after I die.
I want to make a bit of beauty, leave a little light behind.
Or be the balm to someone’s sadness, the song for someone’s gladness,
a cup of strength to someone in their fight.
Or maybe sweeten an existence, inspire a persistence,
or breathe the breath that makes the spark of love burn bright.
Oh, may I reach that heaven most high.
I want to reach that heaven most high.
And be a little star a shining in someone’s darkest night, yeah,
And be a little star a shining in someone’s darkest night.
ANNA PATTON 