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Joanie Pallatto

"Accidental Melody"

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UPC: 700797015422

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May 19, 2023

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"Joanie Pallatto can melt your heart down to a puddle." - Achy Obejas
   

A new release, dropping May 19, 2023 is Joanie Pallatto - Accidental Melody, featuring Fareed Haque, on Southport Records.
     

With thirteen new songs from Singer-Songwriter Joanie Pallatto- it's as if you were sitting in the club with the band. Virtuoso guitarist and co-producer Fareed Haque returns! The recording features an acoustic ensemble, with percussionist Eric Hines, Juan Pastor on cajon and percussion, the acoustic bass of John Christensen and pianist Bradley Parker-Sparrow. Our long time friend, writer, author and poet Achy Obejas contributed liner notes. Rounding out the "team" is graphic design from Al Brandtner, and engineer Todd A. Carter on the controls.

Joanie Pallatto, Singer/Songwriter
Passion-Performance-Production
     

Described by Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune as having "a stirring and special voice," Joanie Pallatto has a history of 43 years as one of Chicago's leading studio voices, an independent artist with 17 albums as a leader/co-leader, and Southport Records co-chair responsible for 100's of recordings of otherwise little-documented local musical artists (Willie Pickens, Von Freeman, George Freeman, King Fleming, Bobby Lewis, Fred Anderson...)

My Original Plan
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"My Original Plan"

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UPC: 700797015224

April 16, 2021

Jazzy Pop! Joanie Pallatto - My Original Plan featuring modern guitar virtuoso Fareed Haque. Singer-Songwriter Joanie Pallatto, with fourteen original tracks produced by Fareed Haque and Joanie Pallatto.

With John Devlin, Luiz Ewerling, Howard Levy, Bradley Parker-Sparrow, Bill Nolte, Bobby Lewis, Steve Eisen, Kurt Schweitz and Juan Pastor

"Listen closely and find out how to dream and how to use those dreams...
With Joanie, the personal becomes universal."
Stephen Cole, from Liner Notes - www.stephencolewriter.org/

From Fareed Haque:
Unlike many of my producing gigs, Joanie was an equal partner, choosing musicians, making edits, creating vocal parts and much more. It is a joy to work with someone who has such a clear and big vision of her art. Bravo!

From Joanie:
As I've said, these words are all I ever need to hear... from my friend, guitar legend George Freeman:
"Joanie, it gets to my SOUL! It's sentimental, and it makes you reminisce."

Float Out to Sea

"Float Out to Sea"

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UPC: 700797014722

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October 2017

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Bradley Parker-Sparrow, Joanie Pallatto & The Machine Band – Alternative Jazz!


Yes we still do "albums" at Southport. Joanie and I (Sparrow) have, because of strong demand, teamed up to do another one.... "Float Out to Sea." Songs are like short stories shared with band members and the audience. "Float" features John Devlin on bass and guitars, Luiz Ewerling, drums and percussion with special guests Bobby Lewis, trumpet and Janice Misurell-Mitchell, alto flute.
All tracks were recorded at the secret 2nd story studio on Southport with engineer ace Todd Carter, and we continue to do overdubs and mixing, like back in 1979 for "Latin Black" on the old TEAC 4 track, only now it’s computer tracking- with yummy vintage tube microphones. These days with digital there are too many tracks and less places to play live un-digital music.

Two Again
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"Two Again"

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UPC: 700797014128

January 6, 2015

Vocalist Pallatto and Pianist Vente team up again, with more fresh arrangements of great tunes, including “Help!,” “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” Walk On By,” and “Charade.” Liner notes by our hip friend (and Southport Lounge Artist) Bruce Bendinger. All tracks were recorded at Sparrow Sound Design on the 9' Baldwin Concert Grand with tube mics.

Days

"Days"

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UPC: 700797013725

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09/24/2013 

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But what is the song about?  Is it a love song, or song about the condition of our society?  "Days with Joanie & Sparrow" is a life collaboration of original songs - with the rhythm section of Luiz Ewerling, drums and Kurt Schweitz, bass along with featured artists Bobby Lewis, Pat Mallinger, George Freeman, John Devlin, David Onderdonk, Alejo Poveda, Steve Gibons, Eldee Young and Redd Holt.  Design by Al Brandtner.

As You Spend Your Life
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 "As You Spend Your Life"

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UPC: 700797013329

February 2011

A look into the heart, home and essence of Chicago singer-songwriter Joanie Pallatto.  This recording is an evolution of all of her life's passions, creating new songs that identify her unique and modern vision.  These are "Pop Songs with a Jazz Sensibility."

Pallatto has enlisted her usual cohorts, musicians that raise the bar in any recording project.  You'll hear guitar giant Fareed Haque, harmonica master and pianist Howard Levy, and a special feature with jazz legend, pianist and singer Bob Dorough on the great Frank Foster tune, "Simone" - (with new lyrics by Pallatto.)  You'll also hear Bradley Parker-Sparrow, Dave Onderdonk, Eric Hochberg, Michael Raynor, Alex Austin, Greg Fundis, Jason Smart and Larry Gray, along with vocalists April Aloisio, Nanette Frank, Diane Madison, and Teresa Davis!

It's Not Easy

"It's Not Easy" 

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UPC: 700797012421

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January 2008 

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"It's Not Easy" contains 10 original songs by vocalist/composer/lyricist Joanie Pallatto. The fine musicians on "It's Not Easy" are: John Devlin, Fareed Haque, Eric Hochberg, Howard Levy, john E. Magnan, Bradley Parker-Sparrow, Alejo Poveda, Michael Raynor, Eldee Young and Magic the Dog. Produced by Bradley-Parker Sparrow. Design by Al Brandtner.

Shut Eye
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"Shut Eye"

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UPC: 700797012322

2006

Bradley Parker-Sparrow - "Shut Eye"
(the composer's variations)
featuring Joanie Pallatto & Bobby Lewis
with excerpts from "Shut Eye" - a John Covert Film

Pianist/composer Bradley Parker-Sparrow explores a new theme for a film by director John Covert, "Shut Eye." The music is cinematic in scope, following the sinister moods of characters within the film, featuring vocalist Joanie Pallatto, the flugelhorn of Bobby Lewis, vocalist April Aloisio, john E. Magnan, bass and Alejo Poveda, drums. Meshing the concert grand piano with keyboard work and samples, Sparrow presents his dramatic, thematic statements. Much of Pallatto’s work features wordless vocals, portraying the moods and characters imagined onscreen, including a breathy duet with Lewis on the sexy track, “Wet.” The director says of the film: "A Shut-Eye is what magicians call one of their own who gets so good that he begins to believe in his own magic and forget that it's just a trick."
 

The Light

"The Light" a tone poem 

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UPC: 700797010922

December 2004

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Rick Kogan of WGN Radio (AM 720) says this about “The Light”:
“…that’s a little more “out there,” as we used to say… it’s a remarkable piece of work, though… from Bradley Parker-Sparrow, one of the great songwriters and performers in town.

Bradley Parker-Sparrow, pianist and composer, recently released Southport Records CD 109, “The Light, a tone poem” featuring vocalist and composer Joanie Pallatto. As partners of Sparrow Sound Design Recording Studio and Southport Records, Joanie & Sparrow are celebrating 20 years on Southport Avenue this October!

Canned Beer
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"Canned Beer"

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UPC: 700797009827

May 2003

Joanie Pallatto/Sparrow and the Machine Band will play compositions from their soon to be released Southport Records CD “Canned Beer.” With John E. Magnan on electric bass, and Alejo Poveda on drums, composer-pianist Sparrow with composer/vocalist Pallatto offer modern musical interpretations of popular/dance/hip-hop/cabaret and world music forms. With the Corporate Control of modern radio and media by consolidation and advance monopolies this CD and band is an attack of the closed system of not only radio, but live and concert music. This will be the 98th album project released on the independent Southport Records, Chicago.

We Are Not Machines

"We Are Not Machines" 

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UPC: 700797009322

December 2001

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Southport founders Sparrow and Pallatto offer new musical experiments that cross forms.  This project is also the score for a John Covert feature film called “Watch”.

The King And I
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"The King And I"

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UPC: 700797008424

October 2000

Vocalist/lyricist Pallatto teams with pianist/composer Fleming on a classic new release with 10 originals +Von Freeman, Bobby Lewis and Rich Fudoli!

Words & Music

"Words & Music" 

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  UPC: 700797006727

  August 1999

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Vocalist Joanie returns with her 5th release, including “Baltimore Oriole” and many Southport veterans in the band including Eldee Young, Alejo Poveda, Lou Gregory and more!

Two
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"Two"

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UPC: 700797004624    

September 1997    

Joanie interprets songs from the world song book of great pop and classic standards with Vente on the 9’ Baldwin Grand.

Fire

"Fire"

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  UPC: 700797003528

  May 1996

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Tenor legend Von Freeman + Tatsu Aoki-Sparrow-Mike Raynor & Joanie Pallatto-bold new group creations!

Passing Tones
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"Passing Tones"

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UPC: 700797003221    

 

June 1995   

Swinging jazz vocals with Von Freeman, Willie Pickens, Robert Shy, John Whitfield, Sparrow & more!!!

Who Wrote This Song

 "Who Wrote This Song" 

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  UPC: 700797002125

  December 1993

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With jazz legend Bob Dorough, Joanie sings- with Fareed Haque, Howard Levy & Sparrow, too!

Whisper Not
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"Whisper Not"

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