Let me set the stage.
You walk into a barn in Galway and there’s a cheese grater hanging from the ceiling which has been turned into a fully functioning, on and off switching light. Beneath it sits a gorgeous upright Yamaha piano, which carries such a surprisingly satisfying sound and depth for its size. The tables are filled with people I have come to know and love over the years. People who I am hoping will understand what I’m trying to do. Which is to take the way this space makes me feel and get it on a recording. But maybe I’ll have to start a song over, maybe re-do an entire one three times to get it to where I want it to be. Maybe I’ll start another and never finish it because I can’t remember the words (yes, that happened.) It’s just that it’s not so much a “live album” as an “album that happens to be live.” In a room with such age and honesty and history and healing, for me, and I’m sure many others. The nights I have spent in here, full of people or at the piano by myself have carried me through some of the most difficult times I’ve had to face in my life so far.
So I have to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who came and listened to my bad jokes and my songs on a Monday night and gave me a feeling of support I will never forget. To The Cock ’n Bull staff for greeting me with smiles (and drinks!) and treating me like one of your own whenever I walk in the door. To Rick, thank you for believing in me and what I’m trying to do. For letting me stand nervously in front of a room full of people, talking too fast, laughing too loud, voice shaking, while I worked out, and continue to work out, the kinks.
You’ll hear people in the room on the first few tracks. My best friends from college, my cousin, her boyfriend, Sharon and Rick Bolton, and many others, singing harmonies on “Light.” That’s a beautiful sound. Then you’ll notice the room is mostly empty for the last few tracks. The jingle of Tugg’s collar on “Waiting in Line” is, I believe, the greatest part of this record. Which was all recorded by Nick Relation Recording. And is brought to you by Jim Mastrianni. The man behind the computer, and frankly, out in front of it. He has done more than I will ever be able to thank him for in my career and just in life.
And thank you. For reading. For listening. Where would I be without you?
“In the external scheme of things, shining moments are as brief as the twinkling of an eye, yet such twinklings are what eternity is made of- moments when we human beings can say, 'I love you,' 'I’m proud of you,' 'I forgive you,' 'I’m grateful for you.' That’s what eternity is made of: invisible, imperishable good stuff.” -Mister Rogers

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
Angelina Valente