This is my first solo release, and my first album since the mid-1990s. Most of the songs are new and represent a range of genres. I like to keep things interesting for myself, and for my listeners. A lot of the tunes on the album speak to my own intolerance for injustice. I work (in my day job) promoting access to justice and these songs touch on themes of racial, gender, ethnic and economic justice. The title cut, "Rattle Them Chains," was inspired by a day I spent in a beautiful home on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Despite the beautiful setting, all I could think of were the oppressed hands that surely cleared the land and built the structures on it. I hear that there are places you can go and still see the hardware used to restrain slaves, where you can see iron rings used to tie folks, and see the shackles on the wall. While the image is from the past, the theme of the song is about the present -- about the legacy of oppression that colors our culture, our economy, our criminal justice system, and still makes its mark on all of us regardless of our own family's history. I also try to have fun on this album. Some of these tunes were written specifically to tap into the talents of people with whom I have the good fortune to perform, and are really about creating space for a cool guitar part, a hot viola lick (really, hot viola? yes!) or a wicked rhythm. I performed with the band, Terra Nova, from the late 80s through the 90s. Bob Ortiz (also with Terra Nova and featured on this album) and I spent the last decade or so raising two kids on Maryland's Eastern Shore and working hard like most everyone else. This project is my effort to revive our musical lives and make sure we fill the house with music while the kids are still there to enjoy it. We have spent the last year performing and collaborating with some wonderful local musicians. This project features many of them including: Ford Schumann (guitar), Nevin Dawson (viola/violin), Bob Ortiz (percussion, congas, vocals), and Mary Ashley (vocals). We have collaborated on a number of shows with a three-part a capella group, Sombarkin, and they are featured on a couple of tunes as well. Sombarkin includes Karen Somerville, Lester Barrett, Jr., and Jerome McKinney. My daughter, Sofia, can be heard on Bad Betty. Finally, I had the opportunity to work with some of the Washington area's best musicians including National Heritage Fellow Mike Auldridge (dobro), Vince Evans (pianos, keyboards), Seth Kibel (tenor sax and clarinet), Michael Bowie (bass), Mark Prince (drums), and Lena Seikaly (vocals). Producer and engineer Jeff Gruber added his own talents on mandolin, guitars, and keyboard on a couple of tunes. When Bob and I decided to produce this CD, there was no question that we wanted to return to work with Jeff, who produced a couple of Terra Nova albums with us. He really helped me achieve what I hoped for in this project and to him I am deeply grateful. I also want to thank Karen Somerville for a wonderful jazz singing lesson. I knew I needed to call in the experts for help in preparing to record, "The Conversation," my first stab a jazz tune. When I wrote the lyric I knew it needed to be a jazz standard-type of song. I figured I would worry about learning how to sing it later. Karen is not only a beautiful vocalist, but an excellent teacher. Between her lesson and Jeff's coaching, I was happy with the result. In working on the material for this project, I found I still had something to say. I hope this project speaks to you. I would love to hear from you if it does! ATTRIBUTIONS AND THANKS All songs written by Pam Ortiz. Special thanks to Bob, Sofia & Daniel Ortiz for their support and encouragement. Thanks to Jeff Gruber for bringing his amazing musical vision to this project, and to all the friends and fellow musicians who contributed to these songs. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Blue House Productions, Silver Spring, MD. Produced by Jeff Gruber. Executive Producers.: Pam and Orb Ortiz. Cover Photo: Penny Harris (c) 2012 Penny Harris. For booking and information contact: ortizmusic@verizon.net 410-810-1866 This project was made possible in part by a grant from the Kent County Arts Council. Many thanks to Leslie Prince Raimond and the KCAC for all they do to support the arts in our corner of Maryland's Eastern Shore.