Search - Patricia Vonne :: Guitars & Castanets

Vonne's defining voice and music provide exhilarating "Texas

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 09/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 40:58 -- Guitars & Castanets is Austin-based Patricia Vonne's second album. With contemporary Mexican and traditional rock influences, Vonne's music has been called "Texas border rock." A pounding beat and tastefully rendered electric guitar impart rhythmic force to Vonne's original music which always keeps her engaging voice front and center whether singing in English or Spanish. Following the ten tracks is a bonus video "Traeme Paz" from the motion picture "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," directed by her older brother Robert Rodriguez. Her songs are inspired by Joe Ely, Johnny Reno, homesickness for Texas, passion for flamenco, a motorcycle club, relationships, friendship, and survival. The title cut (co-written with her brother) is dedicated to Alejandro Escovedo, another hero of hers, with whom she occasionally joined on stage for Al's song "Castanets."



Produced by Carl Thiel, the album features some exceptional accompaniment from Joe Reyes (electric guitar), Scott Garber (bass), Rafael Gayol (drums), Vonne's husband Robert LaRoche (guitars, backing vocals), and others. Additional noteworthy Austin musicians include Charlie Sexton, Jon Dee Graham, Rick Del Castillo, Michael Ramos, Mark Andes, and Johnny Reno.



The two cuts featuring Vonne's castanets are those with a more acoustic feel ("La Gitana de Triana" and "Guitarras y Castanuelas"). With contemporary and commercial flavorings, this album displays impressive musicianship and emotionally-charged vocalizing. The result is a stirring journey that yields bountiful rewards with numbers like "Rebel Bride," which she calls a "sexy, rockin' wedding song."



Growing up in San Antonio family with ten kids, Patricia's mother would sing to them in Spanish and the children would harmonize. Her dad had been a drummer, and they often had mariachis visit their house. Now, her music has taken her on world tours numerous times, and she'd like to see more of her songs used in movies and on television. With Guitars & Castanets, Vonne's defining voice and music are exhilarating. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)



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Tough twangy pop, sax-fueled barn-burners and Mariachi balla

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 08/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The trill at the edge of Vonne's voice can be as charming as a songbird's and as chilling as the shadow of a circling hawk. The Austin-based singer-songwriter opens her second album with an exhilarating tribute to Joe Ely that electrifies the dusty, noir atmosphere with a rock 'n' roll beat. Her delivery has a tough-girl flammability that brings to mind Shangri-La Mary Weiss, the theatrical drama of Cher, and the black-leather rhythm-guitar attitude of Chrissie Hynde. But unlike these women of rock, Vonne is steeped in Texas twang and Mexican folk tunes, slipping just as easily into mariachi-tinged ballads as she does the mid-tempo songs of a Gruene Hall Saturday night.



The entire CD has a dusty, Western edge -- not so much country as Americana that mixes country, pop, rock, and rockabilly. Vonne's barn-burning original "Sax Maniac" gives her early hero Johnny Reno an opportunity to wail on his horn, and "La Gitana de Triana" and "Fiesta Sangria" along with the Mariachi-flavored "Traeme Paz" add Spanish lyrics and South-of-the-Border flavors. The latter is accompanied by a Robert Rodriguez directed video which is nearly superfluous in illustrating Vonne's aurally cinematic performance. [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]"

On the verge of stardom

Brent D. Davies | Chicago, IL USA | 02/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been on this Robert Rodriquez (and friends) kick lately and his sister Patricia Vonne was featured on his "Mariachi and Mexico" compilation. Her voice on "Serverina" is awesome which led to the purchase of this album. While equally adept at singing Neo Country or a striking spanish song, she keeps things interesting with her energy and style. She's a talent and needs to stay on the road of "heavy Mariachi" and she'll be someone to reckon with. The more she can play with her brother, Del Castillo and Tivo, the better her sound will be. Regardless, this album is a keeper with numerous quality tracks that get better with each listening."