Stay Awhile by Joanne Rand

“Stay Awhile” was written during the two-year quarantine for the Covid-19 pandemic. These new songs tell a story of struggle, redemption and an immensely deep love of life. Two unreleased songs are included from Rand’s early songwriting years (1980s),depicting a simpler time and invoking peace of mind. Mixed by Stephen Hart (White stripes, David Bowie, Bonnie Raitt), it features her longtime collaborators: Piet Dalmolen
on electric guitar, Rob Diggins on violin, Tim Randles on bass, and Rand on vocals, piano, and acoustic guitar. These songs ebb and flow, soothe and stimulate, in their quest to understand our current world and the cycle of life. Hart & Rand have recorded 15 CDs together in 28 years.

Joanne Rand (singer-songwriter, producer, arranger) Born and bred in the Deep South, Rand has performed in Manhattan, L.A., Toronto, Atlanta, Seattle, Hawaii, Alaska & the Amazon. A North Bay readers’ poll once voted her “Best Acoustic Band.” Based in rural Northern California, with a BFA in music composition and one in art, she has performed alongside such greats as Bonnie Raitt, Micky Hart, John Hartford, John Trudell, and Dougie McLean. Rand’s songs reflect a wide array of styles (folk, rock, jazz, Celtic, psychedelic, gospel), weaving tales that describe the human condition. Rand’s 2015 CD, "Southern Girl" & 2016 CD "Roses in the Snow & Drought" (with the same team) made folk DJ most-played-list nationwide (comprised by over 1300 DJs) and garnered rave reviews. "One of the year’s freshest, most distinctive offerings."-Roots Music Report. "[Rand's voice is] Magical and luxuriant like the best brandy in the world ... Startling and beautiful ...exceptional. A great little band...Resonance and soul." -No Depression.

Stephen Hart (producer, mixing engineer at the Mixroom, Petaluma, CA) has worked with Santana, David Bowie, Bonnie Raitt, White Stripes, Stevie Ray Vaughn and many more. He is the former head engineer at Fantasy Studios and former president of the Recording Academy (San Francisco chapter). This will be our 15th collaboration in 30 years! Hart never fails to mix a crystal clear, 3-D, world class sound, which makes you feel as if you are surrounded by swirling musicians. A suspension of disbelief.

Piet Dalmolen (electric guitarist) is owner-operator and recording wizard at Universal Balance Studios in Arcata. He is a founding member of the long-lived Rock/Funk/Psychedelic Jam band Nucleus and currently plays in multiple touring bands, including Dynasty One, as well as solo. “The Piet Dalmolen lead guitar shines with so many colorful notes it makes the song moving again like the first time you heard it.”(No Depression 2016, re: Rand's 2015 version of Woodstock). This will be my seventh project with Piet. A real pleasure! A great mind, heart and soul.

Rob Diggins (violinist) has toured internationally with John Malkovich, is a principal violinist with the Portland Baroque Orchestra, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra , the Corona Del Mar Baroque Festival and Jazz trio RLA as well as performing kirtan and sound healing. He spent the summers of 2017 and 2018 in the Middle East teaching youth scholarship programs. Rob has fusion, folk, world music and psychedelic rock chops as well as classical virtuosity. This is my fourth recording with Rob. His energy is always positively charged.

Tim Randles (bassist on this album) began his piano studies at the age of nine. He was drawn into jazz during the birth of jazz-fusion era in the ‘70s. He is also influenced by world and theatre music. He has been musical director for shows at Dell’arte and HSU, has performed with Jane Siberry, Joe Craven (of David Grisman Quintet), Danish saxophonist John Tchicai, Afro-Cuban band Ponche, and toured Senegal with Djlaly Kunda Kouyate. He currently hosts the jazz series at Westhaven Center for the Arts with his band RLA who just released their first CD, “Reaching In” (Original music composed by Tim). Tim and I have recorded six CDs together since 2012. His playing is sensitive and multidimensional. He lives and breathes the music.

“A fixture of the Northern California folk scene, Rand’s life, activism & art are woven seamlessly together. A celebrated musician, composer & teacher. From stripped-down folk songs to lush, textured rock arrangements, she makes consistently engaging, perceptive, universal music.”-SFStation.com 2012. Touring nationally for 30 years, Rand is currently releasing 15th CD of original songs.

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