Sadly, I was not blessed with the gift of a golden voice. But I was blessed with just enough vanity to sing my own songs. There are few things in life more fun than driving to a recording studio and singing into a microphone. Songs come from the heart, but singing into a microphone is just pure fun. The 12 songs in this album were written in 2010 and 2011 (with one exception). They were recorded at Find A Way Studios in Toronto between May 2011 and December 2011. I've also included a cover of Buddy Holly's great love song "True Love Ways" and "Catch The Wind" by Donovan Leitch. Recorded and Mixed at Find A Way Studios (2011) Words and Music: Ken Sproul (except for True Love Ways by Buddy Holly and Catch the Wind by Donovan Leitch) Producer: Glen Alan Lead Vocals: Ken Sproul except “Devotion” sung by Glen Alan Backing and Background Vocals: Glen Alan Engineers: Greg Kolchinsky, Nathan Verleg, Jeffrey Jones and Cole Howson Guitars: Tim Bovaconti (Electric and Acoustic) and Brian Atkinson (Acoustic Guitar on Devotion and Taiji Girl only) Saxophone: Jeffrey Jones Keyboards: Steve Hunter, Glen Alan Drum Programming: Glen Alan, Nathan Verleg, Jeffrey Jones and Greg Kolchinsky Bass Programming: Glen Alan, Jeffrey Jones Bass: Jeffrey Jones Drums: Paul DeLong Violin: Lenny Soloman Accordian: Denis Keldie Erhu: Yuan Wang Photography: Ken Sproul Graphic Design: Ron Elmy The Production Team I want to thank friend and producer Glen Alan. As a producer, Glen guided the session players and engineers to create the final product adding his own touches along the way. Glen also helped create the full band arrangements of my songs. Glen has been kind enough to refer to me as the co-producer of my songs because I often have clear ideas about what I want but my only real genius is that I listened to Glen most of the time. In the music industry, it’s people like Glen Alan who make everything possible for posers like me. My only peeve is that he wouldn’t let me stack (double-track) my voice (well, maybe once)!!! You wouldn’t believe how good I sound stacked. Like I always said to him, if it was good enough for John Lennon… The production team included sound engineer Greg Kolchinsky whose resume includes work with American producer Phil Spector and artists like Bono, Anne Murray, Bruce Cockburn, the Canadian Tenors and Barenaked Ladies. The other engineers were Nathan Verleg, Jeffrey Jones and Cole Howson. Nathan is also a song writer; he has a contract with Warner/Chappell Music writing songs for the likes of Michael Buble. Jeffrey Jones not only contributed production ideas but is also a musician; that sweet sax you hear on several songs is Jeff. Cole Howson is breaking into the industry but his relaxed, calm persona is a pleasure to work with. The Talent The talent on this album was outstanding. Glen just happens to live in a neighbourhood where he’s surrounded by extraordinary Canadian musicians who stroll over to his studio as needed. Tim Bovaconti is Randy Bachman’s lead guitarist (as though Randy Backman needs a lead guitarist) and that says just about everything. Tim has also backed the likes of Leonard Cohen and Ron Sexsmith. Last summer, while on tour with Burton Cummings in California, he strummed a Brain Wilson song FOR Brian Wilson! When he shows up at Glen’s studio, he comes with 5 guitars! Toronto pianist Steve Hunter has played with the great Etta James and has performed for President Obama. You can find him locally with several bands including the awesome Two Men From Earth. He wrote charts for several of my songs. Drummer Paul Delong is a Juno Award winner and has enjoyed multi-platinum success with Kim Mitchell. He’s also worked with the likes of Lawrence Gowan and David Clayton Thomas. Violinist Lenny Soloman is Canada's premier jazz violinist and accordianist Denis Keldie has played with Etta James and Jeff Healey. The talented Yuan Wang has played the Chinese erhu since she was four years old. She studies under the great George Gao. She plays beautifully on Wode Baba (My Father). Last but not least, Glen Alan sings back-up vocals on all my songs. This man is the very definition of range.