NEW ANNIE DOLAN AND JOEL PATERSON ALBUM: ATTA BOY GIRL
I’m excited about the new album I produced for singer and guitarist Annie Dolan called Atta Boy Girl. It’s a digital-only release for now on my Ventrella label, but there is vinyl to come next year on Sleazy Records in Spain. Here’s an official music video for the record's title track, our version of the classic Roger Miller tune “Atta Boy Girl.” Check out the Annie Dolan bio and album description below followed by some links to find the album, thank you!
Photo and album design by Joel Paterson
Album Info / Annie Dolan Bio:
Los Angeles-based singer, guitarist, and songwriter Annie Dolan is a fresh new voice on the rock and roots music scene today. Her recording debut is ATTA BOY GIRL, a selection of familiar songs in the field of vintage rock ‘n’ roll and country western. You may know these classics as originally sung by the likes of Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Roger Miller—but here they are presented with a fresh approach, pairing the LA singer with the finest musicians on the Chicago scene.
Originally from Arizona, Annie started out playing guitar with bands around Tucson (recording and touring with desert favorites such as Giant Sand and Louise Le Hir), and is now working on her own music in Los Angeles.
In the midst of recording an upcoming album of original rock and pop music with Chicago guitarist Joel Paterson, Annie thought it would be a fun side-project to showcase a different side of herself and also record an album of classic roots music covers. The result is ATTA BOY GIRL, a ten-song album of rock ‘n’ roll, country, and Western swing covers (including one original dance-floor instrumental, “Fussbudget,” soon to take jukeboxes by storm). This three-day Chicago session, released in 2024, is available now while Joel and Annie finish up production on the originals record, slated for release in 2025.
ATTA BOY GIRL is released (digital only) on Ventrella Records, and will be available February, 2025 on limited edition vinyl from Sleazy Records in Malaga, Spain.
Annie Dolan Links:
Photo by Joel Paterson
Original LP liner notes (These are written a little tongue-in-cheek in the voice of 1950s-style liner notes to pair with the retro album art, but hey, all the info is still accurate!):
Introducing Annie Dolan, a fresh new voice on the rock ‘n’ rhythm scene today. Although Annie is a great songwriter in her own right, on this vinyl offering she embarks on her solo recording career with a selection of familiar songs in the field of rock ‘n’ roll and country western. You may know these classics as originally sung by the likes of Elvis, Carl Perkins, Roger Miller, and Johnny Paycheck—but here they are presented with a fresh approach, pairing the singer and guitarist from Los Angeles with the finest musicians on the Chicago scene. On Atta Boy Girl, West Coast meets Midwest, and this spells sonic success. The drive and beat that the listener and dancer seek is all here, and the folks at Sleazy Records in far-off Spain made it all possible. This joint venture between Ventrella Records in Chicago and Sleazy ushers in a new era of transatlantic diplomacy, and this stateside ensemble is proud to be to added to the label’s rockin’ roster of stars. The youthful vocal stylings of Annie Dolan, backed by the venerable session men from Ventrella is a venture sure to please today’s music lovers in search of modern sound.
Atta Boy Girl was recorded at Reliable Recorders in Chicago in the familiar Ventrella style. The music was played and sung together in one room with minimal mic’ing, and tracked in a span of three days. To save time and accommodate the trio’s busy show schedule, the vocals, rhythm and lead tracks were recorded live in the studio—without too much tedious multi-tracking, and without a meddling producer with one eye on today’s pop charts. The resulting product offers the listener the pure joys of rock ‘n’ roll with a western flair.
Annie is backed here by a trio of stellar rhythm men, who made their name in the dance halls and jazz clubs of Chicago. Joel Paterson, Beau Sample, and Alex Hall are known as the sound of Ventrella Records, an elusive Windy City record label with a dedicated core of followers who eagerly await the latest limited edition.
Joel Paterson is well known to guitarists around the globe, and his catalog of recordings is vast and varied. In addition to lead guitar, Joel arranged and produced the music found here, proving that he can break out of the field of instrumental and holiday fare and provide the necessary accompaniment to today’s teen beat. Joel also employs the steel guitar to great effect to create exotic moods. His technique is equally at home at the luau or the saloon, and his sauntering steel adds a layer of intrigue to today’s rock ‘n’ roll platter. No matter the key or tempo, Joel is up to the task at hand, and his inimitable work on the strings permeates the grooves of Atta Boy Girl.
Alex Hall is no stranger to music lovers and connoisseurs of the highest fidelity. He is the man behind the kit and the recording console, providing the vivid sounds that Ventrella fans are accustomed to. The music here is propelled by the easy Alex Hall beat, and his tasteful and agile drumming will send the stodgiest of listeners straight to the dance floor of the nearest record hop.
Beau Sample is a rhythmic pillar of today’s rockabilly, jazz and swing scene. His time is impeccable, and his driving slap-bass technique perfectly underpins the proceedings. These men have one job to do and that job is to rock—and they do so with a solid swing not often found in today’s music. From the easiest of tempos to the hardest of bop, look no further than the Windy City.
Annie Dolan is a fine guitarist, adding delicate rhythm and harmony support throughout the session. She plays the second guitar solos on Sorry Charlie, You’re My Kingdom, and Foolin’ Around, and also provides the catchy accompanying guitar to the raunchy and playful instrumental, Fussbudget. This original dance-floor hit, penned by Paterson and Dolan, is soon to be heard on jukeboxes around the world.
Vocally, Annie can also handle a torch song; Cry Me a River is given a fresh Latin beat without losing the bittersweet beauty of the Julie London hit from 1955. This compelling mood Annie can convey will soon be in demand for radio, television, theaters and nightspots everywhere.
Wherever rollicking platters are spun, you’ll find this debut Dolan disc. Stay tuned for her original music on the horizon, but in the meantime—sit back and enjoy the mellifluous voice, rocking mood and sparkling style of Annie Dolan. You’ll be sure to exclaim, “Atta boy, girl!”
Album Credits:
Annie Dolan: vocals and guitar
Joel Paterson: guitar and steel guitar
Beau Sample: upright bass
Alex Hall: drums
Recorded at Reliable Recorders/Hi-Style Studio in Chicago, IL, July 10-12, 2024
Engineered by Alex Hall
Additional engineering by Joel Paterson
Mixed and mastered by Alex Hall
Photography and Graphic Design: Joel Paterson
Produced by Joel Paterson