The first set of demos for these songs were recorded at Silverhaven Retreat in the Muskokas, in Ontario. Just me, two guitars and a mic, looking out over a lake and singing and playing my heart out. That was in the fall of 2022. I continued writing and the songs became part of a play. I received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council recommended by the late Simon Joynes, then Artistic Director of Port Stanley Festival Theatre. I enlisted the help of my good friend Marcia Tratt to work on the story and to clarify the lyrics. My singing teacher, David Dunbar, helped me sing em better.
Henry Heillig is a veteran of the Toronto Music Scene. He started out as a folk singer himself before turning to the bass. He is a founding member of Juno award winning band Manteca, he also toured with Sharon, Lois & Bram and still tours with Carlos Del Junco. He has has own Jazz Quartet, Heillig Manoevre. He has produced and played on hundreds of albums. I first met him when he was playing bass for the most excellent “Dirty Dishes” and he even played with Sing Along Tim & The Pacifiers right at the end of the pandemic, at a riotous outdoor celebration for the City of Oakville. I knew I wanted to work with him on these songs, and fortunately, he had a window in his schedule, and agreed.
We decided on a stripped back acoustic sound, to be augmented, on a couple of songs, with strings, and backing vocals. Henry knew immediately who the players should be. He brought in Mark Mariash on drums and Eric St-Laurent on guitar. We rehearsed the songs on a Sunday afternoon at Henry's and then went into the studio. Canterbury Music Company the next day. They were brilliant
Henry Heillig and Mark Mariash
