Shelley Barratt: press

Honorable Mention for Everything I Need (Bob Reynolds- music, Shelley Barratt- lyrics/melody)

"Good lyric to rhythm match. Good transitioning throughout." (The Perimeter)

Local musician makes nationwide debut in theaters
It may seem like a strange place to start picking up listeners, but Shelley Barratt is thrirlled that the song "Goodbye" (Muriel Sweetsong) off her Origin of Flight album will be showcased in the February 2009 Cinemasounds programming. "Goodbye" will play in over 6.500 theaters (including Regal, AMC, UA and Edwards) across the country, and if you happen to view a film in any of these theaters over the next month, you'll probably also hear Barratt's song. The album, Origin of Flight was released on Pasadena, Calif. label Rescue Records, but Barratt and the Shelley Barratt Band (Bob Reynolds, Jimmy LaPrelle, Gladys Tangub, and Marc Miller) are currently unsigned.

... If you hear "Goodbye" at the next flick you take in, be sure to visit cinemasounds.com and leave your feedback.

By Erin Penner, Local IQ: Albuquerque's Intelligent Alternative, January 29-February 11, 2009

It gives us great pleasure to inform you of your results during the Second Annual Fame Games Effigy Awards 2008, and here is the summary of your results.

Award Summary for Shelley Barratt Band
Finalist As an Artist within an Effigy Category: 7
Song Finalist within Effigy Categories: 9
Nominations As an Artist within an Effigy Category: 2
Artist Finalist
Best Overall Artist
Best Group
Most Popular Artist
Most Popular Band
Best Overall Vocal
Best Female Vocal
Best FG Profile
Song Finalist
"5 Revolving Doors" - Best Overall Song
"5 Revolving Doors" - Best Production
"5 Revolving Doors" - Best Songwriting
"5 Revolving Doors" - Best Song in Style - Rock L
"5 Revolving Doors" - Most Popular Song
"Muriel Sweetsong" - Best Song in Style - Rock L
"Out Here" - Best Song in Style - Folk
"The Perimeter" - Best Song in Style - Rock L
"Everything I Need" - Best Song in Style - Spiritual
Total Finalist Positions: 16

Artist Nominations
Best Artist in Style - Adult Contemporary
Best Artist in Style - Adult Contemporary
Total Nominations: 2

We wish you continued successes in everything you undertake and we´re looking forward to seeing much more of you on Fame Games!

Best regards
The MMI / Fame Games Crew

PS - If you need to contact us, please use this email: info@famegamesradio.com
PPS - To listen to the show go here
PPPS - All nominations and awards are now visible on your profile page (http://www.meermusic.com/shelleybarratt)

Local Songwriters Working Together at Monthly Showcases to Make Each Other Better It's easy to say, and a lot of people might agree: popular music is trash. What happened to greats in the tradition of Roy Orbison or Parliament/Funkadelic? What happened to performers like Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Patti Smith or Elvis Costello who record songs they write?
So, when it comes to, say, any "American Idol" winner, where's the creativity? Well, "American Idol" stars don't write their own music.
Most pop stars don't.
It seems like common sense, right? Well, not to everyone.
Though you can make an embarrassing fortune by being a performing musician, "songwriting is potentially the most lucrative part of the music business," said Tom Frouge, the city of Albuquerque's music liaison in the Office of Economic Development.
"You can make living at songwriting," he said.
Guys like Bernie Taupin, Townes Van Zandt and even John Rich of Big & Rich do it— and very well.
Publishing a song and having others record or perform it is a major source of income for many musicians. Every time a song is played on the radio, used for a commercial, a movie, performed live, covered by another performer, sampled or bought, the songwriter is supposed to see a portion of the royalties. Though the checks from publishing organizations may be small, just pennies sometimes, those pennies add up.
Though Frouge has been in the music business for decades, he does work for the city's Economic Development Department and he's looking to make a case to local songwriters that they can make a living at this. He's looking for ways to establish a community of songwriters in the city by getting them together monthly.
His Songwriters' Series will have its next session on Thursday, April 5, with songwriters Jimmy Abraham, Jasper Brown and human beatbox Zach Freeman.
It's not a jam session. The songwriters play their music and accompany each other, but they're there to talk about their songs and how they do it.
Many in the small audience come because they're friends of the musicians, still others come because they said they were aspiring songwriters themselves and wanted to get pointers.
And they got several at last month's event at Seasons in Old Town. The songwriters were charged with talking about lyrics and how they come up with them.
"I have a way of taking a bad situation and making it worse," said Keith Drummond, who played several Americana songs. He was joined by monthly host Rob Martinez, Shelley Barratt and Rex Warren on the patio.
"Songwriting is about sitting in your room and doing something," Drummond said. "It's so great to get it out."
And they did get songs out.
Each showed their different styles and explained how they write.
Each songwriter has his or her own way of approaching a song, from Warren's country and Dylan-inspired tunes to Drummond's Americana songs and Barratt's nouveau folk.
By the end of the night, however, the group had found its groove and it devolved into a jam session with each songwriter strumming along on an acoustic guitar.
But that was only after they had chatted for a while on the patio at Seasons.
"You have to have something to say," Martinez said. "But something other people want to hear and they can relate to."
Where Warren said he likes to take emotions and form them into songs and Barratt said she prefers to find stories, Drummond said: "I come from a family of butchers. We learned to trim the fat early. Sometimes I just say 'The, a, at and I.'''
Songwriters' Series
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 5
WHERE: Ben Michael's Café, 2404 Pueblo Bonito Court NW
HOW MUCH: Free. Call 311 or visit www.cabq.gov

You sing with your heart. Nothing under the heavens can stop that.

Shelley Barratt’s music has been described as “MUSIC from the contemporary heart: clear vocals, melodies, and rhythms of Acoustic, Rock, Folk, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Celtic, Latin, and an alternative flair. Original music is accompanied by guitar, piano, random percussion or a cappella.” I have to agree whole-heartedly! The powerful combination musically and lyrically creates a sound that is truly unique and refreshing. Barratt’s music provides a breath of fresh air to the acoustic genre.

"5 Revolving Doors" is an interesting song with a unique lyric.

Honorable Mention for 5 Revolving Doors - "Good groove. Cool imagery, theme." Also, Sea of Cortez - comment, "Good lyrical imagery."

Shelley's music has merit overall but what makes her distinct is her songwriting. This is most evident on her catchy rock-pop-folk tunes such as the blissful 'Muriel Sweetsong', the rhythmic 'Out Here' and the curious '5 Revolving Doors'. Also noteworthy was Shelley's unique interpretation of the feel good cover of U2's 'Desire'.

Great band & great sound on the record.

I really miss my godess of song(you). Do you know ever time someone tells me about or I hear a new girl singer I say yes she really good but not as
good as Shelley. When we play "Greenwitch" (about Shelley) I tell people to check out your website. I could go on forever on this you are really that good. I'll just leave it at if there was a draft like the football draft for people you want to play music with you'd be my number one pick.

ORIGIN OF FLIGHT
I like your vibe, I like 'em all but that 5 revolving doors song, nice, nice, nice... You've got a very silky voice that really conveys the emotion quite well. - Nick, White Sands, NM

It was cloudy on the Bay today, not just regular cloudy but that low scud layer that moves rapidly only a few hundred feet about the ocean, the rain had stopped and the breeze and the waves from the Atlantic were perfect for my run. And filling my earphones were several of your terrific songs that I carefully handpicked for my MP3, Fantastic! - Tim, MA

I am enjoying the CD and hope to see more of your work on the market soon. All the best. –Terry Brooks, Author

I really like 5 revolving doors. –Mark Wilson, President/CEO Zonatainment.com

I LOVE your CD I had a chance to listen to it yesterday and it's awesome! –Mary, Phoenix, AZ

I was stuck on for a long time. Today at lunch I went for a drive and listened to repeatedly. It has such a melancholy touch to it… The flute and the harmony blended perfectly. Both these songs are very powerful and deeply emotional for me. –Riz, San Jose, CA

I LOVE IT! I've been playing it non-stop in my car…! It's awesome, Shelley, and I'm already spreading the word. –DeeDee, Chandler, AZ

I like the arrangements, good quality recording. Most of all, the tunes are very stick-in-your-head-ish. In other words, catchy. Good job. –Robert Lang, Phoenix AZ Musician

That abundant talent of yours needs to be expressed! You can count on me in your fan club! We look forward to following your music career, –Ramon, Miami, FL

You are one special person. I cherish your uniqueness. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all the best in your music career. –Elle, Singapore

Just wanted to let you know how much my wife and I enjoyed your CD... -David, Phoenix, AZ

You have a really sweet voice with some cool original songs. -Kevin, Albuquerque Musician

Phenomenal! I absolutely love it! So insightful and sensual... Your song writing is beautiful and the production is outstanding. Congratulations, you've really created a fantastic piece! "5 revolving doors" and "out here" are my favorite so far, but "desert" is also so moving. And your version of "desire" gave me chills. You did U2 such justice, and that's probably the highest compliment I could ever give anyone! -Jason, N Wales, PA


AND FROM THE WEBSITE
I just checked out your stuff and I love it. You have a beautiful voice, and I love the acoustics. – Phoenix

Very nice. The complement between the tones of the guitar and your (appreciable) range were very enjoyable. Well done. –Paul

I just listened to your song on the web site... Excellent!! I absolutely loved it and listened to it three times in a row. –Becca

Your site and your music are wonderful. -Rees

I love your music!! -Steven

I first downloaded 5 Revolving Doors, and immediately liked it. Later I found Muriel Sweetsong, which has become one of my top 10 most played songs on my computer... I also found Desert, Mr. Brooks, and Sea of Cortez. But even though I could just use Bearshare to find the rest of the album, I always believe in supporting your favorite artists, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to buy your CD on sale. -Alex

I just went on your web-site, and listened to "5 revolving doors",- VERY, VERY cool! I LOVE it! -AB

I love this single!!! (5 Revolving Doors) -Michael


OTHER
I saw you perform a few months ago, I was impressed… Great Music. –Eddie Benitez, Musician

Ya done blew me away - hard to find the words - this songs (music & verse) is absolutely fantastic - WOW How do you get something this great out to the public? -Rooshk
Love ole proud Rooshk