Recordings

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It seems to me that life is an ocean and I’m a swimmer. I sing to stay afloat. Often I don’t know what I’m doing. Sometimes I’m swimming for my life in big waves. Sometimes I’m just floating and humming. Occasionally I get a visit from a whale and then there isn’t much to do except tread water and listen.

I love singing more than almost anything, though I’m pretty much addicted to tea. I garden, passionately. I adore my harp. I write songs. I’m interested in telling the truth, inasmuch as I discover it. And I am infatuated with harmony: harmony with the community of the whole big blue gorgeous planet! Whether designing gardens, facilitating meetings, preparing menus for tea parties (scones and jam are pretty hard to beat!), hanging out with my three cats, or singing (in fact, harmony singing may be better than chocolate!) the combination of those arts somehow helps me find my way.

While my song writing has always been a personal practice, with great encouragement from my musical community, lately I’ve been recording some of these songs and tunes to share them. I hope you enjoy the water.

‘Headed Home’ was completed early in 2005 with assistance from the enormously talented Barry Crannel and Julianna Waters, Laura Golden, Orville Johnson, Cindy Kallet, and Tony Marcus. I cannot rave enough about the extraordinary perceptiveness, musical integrity and downright talent of these people. Please check out their music.

My wonderful teacher, mentor and musical midwife, the songwriter Bob Franke, recently wrote the following in his on-line blog:

Friday, April 29, 2005
Things done and left undone
I recently received a new CD from an old friend and former student, Oakland, CA-based Patrice Haan, and I played it this morning, all by itself. I expected to be delighted, but I didn't expect to weep. Patrice is a fabulous harper and a songwriter who puts her heart on the line and tells the truth. "The Year I Turned 14", which Patrice composed in my class in 1996, is every bit as heartbreaking as I remembered it. Perhaps it's presumptuous to say this about a mature artist who would have gotten that way without my help, but I'm very proud of her.
I usually don't say too much about the accomplishments of my former students except when I have the sense that (to paraphrase the Bible), if I didn't say anything, the stones would cry out. …every voice is unique, …each has had something important to say, and some have said it very, very well. But it's a rare student who gets past my analytical faculties and grabs me by the heart with his or her work. Patrice is one.
The intelligence and courage that most of my students bring to their work give me a standard to live up to...

Other reviewers are saying:

I've listened to your disc several times and my conclusion is...great! it really reflects who you are and the sensitivity of your nature and that's about as good as a CD can get, I think.
— Orville Johnson, Seattle WA

Patrice, it is stunning! It's really an unusual and lovely recording.
There's a feeling of stillness that's maintained throughout the whole recording. It's not a quiet album. The stillness accentuates a deep emotional charge that runs through the entire record.
—Sylvia Herold, Oakland CA

I just don't know how to express the emotion your new CD evoked in me. I played in through the patio speaker while I was cleaning out the old (very symbolic) and replanting the new. It was over so I put it on REPEAT and listened and listened and listened until way past the glorious sunset it got too dark to see what I was doing. You have touched me, my dear spirit. Thank you for sharing with us, we are deeply grateful for your gift and the gift of your talent.
—Judy & Bob Allen, Seattle WA

Patrice I was listening to Headed Home again this evening. It really is a delight! I love the liner notes. The inspiration and background of songs/lyrics has always fascinated me. Some of your notes are just so real and close to my experience they truly make the song feel like its almost my own. Thanks so much.
—Dermot McCann, Victoria, B.C.

Many thousand thanks, girlfriend. There are so many exquisite moments here--the mysterious and tender union of your harp and Orville's dobro on The Western Isles is a sound I can't get enough of. I'm replaying it now. It's as liquid as a spring rainstorm. Catching Your Breath I also love--such a gorgeous tune.
I'm so impressed by the sound of your voice--it's such a treat to hear you playing with the fullness of your range, all the nuances of your rich tone. Thanks so much for this lovely gift Patrice. I'm inspired!
—Cyd Smith, Williams OR

We had the CD on last night and it was a real spellweaver. Certainly it touched my already-deranged senses in the area of bittersweet, naked yearning for I knew not exactly what. You write friggin' BEEYOOTYFUL songs. And in an impressive array of styles, to boot! I love Orville's additions, and the ladies' harmonies, and just... find so much to admire. I guess I just gotta say go girl, go, because it IS beautiful and haunting and interestingly complex and worth a second/third/fourth listen. It's art, baby! Get used to it.
—Paula Lalish, Nordland WA

You have created songs that fit you like that perfect camisole a woman finds and says..."ah yes, this feels like me!” … I am not a beginner in life and I find life is always unfolding and new adventures are there to be discovered and experienced. For me, life only gets richer. You express this in many ways in your CD. I too have passed through the "Mists of the West", living in that place of strength, independence, compassion, and ahhh of course "home”. Take comfort that your music is home!
—Cim Edelstein, Seattle WA

Oh, Patrice, it's just wonderful. I haven't stopped crying since I put it on to play. This has been a difficult year for us and you've taken all those feelings and created the most beautiful music. I applaud both your efforts and your success. Congratulations.
—Jan Checora Goodwin, Ottawa, ON

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