I'm unsure if the fact that this is my best CD so far is because of the long period of time it took to record or in spite of it!

I had much work to do during the summer of 2005, not only concerts, but workshops in hospitals and other care establishments. Stuart Duncan, the engineer at Red Barn Studios, Longforgan, was also deservedly inundated with work from other musicians.

Stuart has worked with me on almost all my recordings since 1996 and his already good reputation is growing fast! This is the first of my albums recorded without tape, using the wonderful "Protools" computer based recording process. Wow! What a way to make music!

Some of our best memories were not captured by the camera but we'd like to share some of them that were.we hope you like them.

Work had, "unofficially" started on the 16th album release by Rothes Recordings in May 2003 while working on the "Songs We Used To Sing" album when, at the request of my friend, Margaret Jones (violinist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra), I wrote "Lead Me Home" for her wedding to Michael Dugdale. Michael knew nothing about it! After recording the vocal in Longforgan to a synthesised orchestral accompaniment, the ADAT taps were sent along with my orchestration to Indianapolis, where Margaret and some friends from the orchestra replaced all the synthesised parts with "real" instruments.

Having "Lead Me Home" already recorded gave us a problem. How do we blend another 13 songs with it? We could do a whole album with an orchestra (if we could find a millionaire to sponsor the recordings!!!) or we could do what I'm best at...voice and guitars up front, using my wonderful collection of Taylor Guitars and Stuart's equally wonderful ability to capture their sound.

We settled for the latter and work begun earnestly in May 2005, laying down guitar tracks.

Setting up for recording the guitar part for "Indiana Sky"

We used a Rode (large diaphragm mic) at about 18 inches in front of the sound hole, an AKG 1000S about 18 inches away and pointing at a position on the neck and plugged the guitar directly into the desk utilising the Taylor Expression system. In the mix, we blended all the signals.

In previous recordings, I've used closer microphone positions but am glad we chose this method as it sounds great and also very natural.

Recording the guitar part for "Indiana Sky"

No one knows what I am capable or incapable of better than my wife, Sandra. In any recording situation, it's good to have someone who can say, "That's not good enough" in a way that doesn't knock confidence, but can really build you up for another "take". It's also important to be able to trust someone when they say, "That's great!"

Sandra & me listening very carefully

If Sandra is my best "second opinion" for musical decisions, Stuart is the man for sound decisions (in spite of "help" from me!)

Stuart Duncan

Working with other musicians is a rarity for me and so, when I'm recording and can call on long-standing friends, who are also wonderful musicians, it's a real treat. It's always a pleasure to work with one of Scotland's leading 'cellists (and mighty fine jazz singer), Wendy Weatherby.

Wendy Weatherby

I love the sound of "choir-like" supporting vocals and, due to the absence of a choir in the studio, Sandra and I layered lots of our own voices to get the desired effect for "Home To Me (Is Anywhere You Are)" and (with Stuart joining us) on "I'll Be Here" .

Sandra recording supporting vocals

A personal highlight of my year was the visit to Scotland of my eldest son Rich and his wife, Gilda from their home in Australia. As well as taking the chance for some regular "Father and Son" activities, we had the chance to work together in the studio, where he provided supporting vocals and harmonica for "Stay Young" ...

My son, Rich Davies recording "Stay Young"

...and at the Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy.

An impromptu duet at the AMC, Kirkcaldy

I don't mind being upstaged, especially if it's by any of my boys. Rich wowed them that night!

Rich performing at the AMC, Kirkcaldy

One of the finest musicians in the folk scene (and beyond) is Stewart Hardy. Formerly of the John Wright Band, he is now much in demand as a session musician, performer and teacher. He was so busy, I almost couldn't get him for my album, but it was worth juggling the sessions around to make sure he could add his own unique style to many of the songs.

Stewart Hardy

We didn't use a drum kit much on this album, preferring to use hand held percussion. Here Sandra is seen recording tambourine on "Stay Young" and using a rainstick as a shaker for "Indiana Sky" . You'll be glad to know that she managed Indiana in one take, but still had very sore arms!

Sandra records the tambourine for "Stay Young" .

Rainstick as a shaker on "Indiana Sky".

A mixture of "easy going" and "perfectionist" is a very unusual combination but it's what makes it such a joy to work with Tom Haycock. He's the finest bass player I've ever known and a nice guy, too!

Tom Haycock

...not only that, his daughter is an equally wonderful flautist!

Vicky Haycock

So, our efforts between May and the beginning of November 2005 eventually produced a collection that we think is the best yet and I hope you will enjoy it for many years to come.

To finish with, here are some of the pictures from the photo shoot on Aberdour beach, Fife, for the cover artwork.

Final Rear Cover

Unused

Unused