Deanna Varagona Goodbyes Have All Been Taken CD

It has been said in reviews of Deanna Varagona's first album, 2000's Tangled Messages, but bears repeating, that, as a solo artist (or even, as here, leading her own trio), Varagona does not make music that is remotely reminiscent lyrically of Lambchop, the band of which she has been a member since 1993. Lambchop is a vehicle for the quirky songs of Kurt Wagner, and Varagona, while singing along and playing multiple instruments, doesn't have writing credits with the group. Her solo career is very different. She wrote ten of 12 songs on this disc and co-wrote an 11th with bass player Joe Ferguson, who, with newly added drummer Jimmy Earley, makes up the Deanna Varagona Trio. (The 12th selection is a cover of Hazel Dickens' "My Better Years.") And her songs are direct statements of romantic passion and frustration, not the more impressionistic expressions of Wagner's compositions for Lambchop. She sets these songs to spare country and folk arrangements and sings them with an aching twang. This is an austere and emotional collection that often sounds like music that came down from the mountains many years ago rather than being newly written and recorded. ~ William Ruhlmann

Gadfly Records is proud to announce the release of The Goodbyes Have All Been Taken. Hello, the new release from alt-country songstress Deanna Varagona.Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Deanna Varagona cuts a wide swath with this collection that ranges from folk to twang, and she shines on each track. A member of cult band Lambchop, Varagona's craft at songwriting shines --- she doesn't forget to include a melody! - and her voice goes from Patsy Cline to K.D. Lang and back. An American original, Varagona won't be mistaken for somebody else!Deanna creates a sparse yet dynamic backdrop to highlight her poetic lyrics reminiscent of early Etta James' passion and Bessie Smith's wiles. She lays her southern soul bare with a passion born in the Appalachian Mountains but bred in a world of a punk rock youth. From the school of Hazel Dickens, The Replacements and Bob Dylan, she tells a tale sometimes strewn with imagery, sometimes naked, with a voice both powerful and sweet.Deanna Varagona has put in years as a member of Nashville's eclectic orchestra, Lambchop, a contributor to the sweet country swing of Paul Burch & the WPA Ballclub, and as a sidekick siren for Chris Mills. At the same time, she has been seen sitting in on baritone sax or sweet harmonies with the likes of Yo La Tengo, John Wesley Harding, Neutral Milk Hotel, and the Silos.

Photographer: Deanna Varagona.

Personnel: Deanna Varagona (vocals, acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, banjo, baritone saxophone); Deanna Varagona; Joe Ferguson (vocals, bass guitar); James Earley, Jimmy Earley (vocals, drums); Joe Ferguson (vocals); Kelly Hogan (vocals); Robert Lloyd (guitar, mandolin, harmonica, piano); Deb Spoerl (violin, cello); Jeb Bishop (trombone); Alex McManus (euphonium).

Recording information: Alex's House; Randy's Recording, Cottage Grove, WI; Truckstop Audio Recording Company, Chicago, IL.