AIKEN CAROLINE - CD BROKEN WINGS HEAL

Popis - BROKEN WINGS HEAL:
All songs recorded, mixed and mastered by John Keane at John Keane Studios, Athens, Georgia. Caroline Aiken – 6 and 12 string guitar, piano and vocals John Keane – pedal steel, acoustic and electric guitars, vocals, bass, percussion, organ (all songs but 8, 12) Emily Saliers – vocals, acoustic guitar (1, 3, 9, 12) Randall Bramblett – keys, piano, saxophone (8, 9, 11) Ike Stubblefield – B3 organ (6, 7) Michelle Malone – vocals (2) Michael Steele – bass (11) Gerry Hansen – drums (1, 3, 6, 7, 9) Charlie Wooton – bass (8) Andy Carlson – strings (9, 12) Susan Staley – vocals (4, 5, 7) Eddie Glikin – percussion, Udu drum (1, 4) Doug Peters – electric guitar (4) Deane Quinter – congas (6) Cover Art by Michael Pierce; Special thanks to Olivia Collins. Special Thanks to the Executive Angels: Rusty Edwards Elise Lang Pierce Lisa Cowden Debbie Brown Anita Blaschak Jayne DeHaan Donna Chisholm BROKEN WINGS HEAL, Razor Wire (“knowing that all that’s between her and the sky is time”), Mission Of Angels, and Comfort Is Deep (In Your Eyes) are songs of love and forgiveness, something that this world can use right about now. Producer John Keane (www.JohnKeanestudios.com), a Grammy-nominated producer and exceptional guitarist/pedal steel player, has worked and recorded with a list of who’s who in the music business that should put him in the Rock and Roll/Americana/Blues and Contemporary Folk Halls of Fame. REM, Widespread Panic, Indigo Girls, Nancy Griffith. You’ve heard his production and musicianship on these and many more recordings. I knew John would sync these songs together like a symphony. After all these years of performing and 8 previous releases, I love this recording and the quality and care John brings to the songs and performances. The music reflects how comfortable I am with him in the studio as we’ve known each other since 1979, when we were both playing in Athens. Working with John feels like I’m telling secrets to a best friend, knowing they are safe with him. Our conversation is steady, smooth, kind, and focused. The music reflects this, thanks to John’s psychic ability of routing out true performances. Emily Saliers, Randall Bramblett, Ike Stubblefield, Michelle Malone, and Charlie Wooton are some of the amazing performers that John has brought to this recording! John’s trademark performances on pedal steel and guitars, in addition to his production, are what give this album its edge. Since 1969, I have toured, promoted, booked, managed, recorded, manufactured eight CDs and performed on many other artists’ recordings. I’ve participated in many benefit recordings and performances and raised thousands of dollars for children at risk, breast cancer, safe houses, veterans, many more worthy causes. I currently play national and international festivals, college and community radio, theaters, house concerts and concert series in the USA, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Central and South America and Europe. It’s an honor to be entrusted with people’s homes and to be invited into their circle of friends and family while touring and teaching. I began mentoring the Indigo Girls in 1980, beginning my love of helping people get to the stage with a positive experience. I give workshops called Zen and the Art of Performance, Songwriting In Your Sleep, and Guerilla Guitarsworks. I am president of the Athens Clark County chapter of non profit 501-c-3 “Guitars Not Guns and Guitars Players Against Gun Violence” (www.guitarsnotguns.org). Raising money in order to buy starter guitars for at risk kids, teaching them lessons and telling them that they get to keep their guitars at graduation is a labor of love that fills my heart with joy watching their eager faces. I also teach grownups how to be kids again on the mic, on stage, and in front of an audience. It is a great pleasure to help someone find their voice and release their message. I was the Entertainment Director of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Atlanta, Ga for 12 years; ’93-’05. As a musician for so many years, I then learned what it was like to be a talent buyer. I vowed to take good care of my artists, stage hands, and volunteers. I booked Dave Mason, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones, Allman Bros, Eric Clapton), Randall Bramblett, members of B52s (Cindy Wilson), Mavis Staples, Sugarland, Jennifer Nettles, Shawn Mullins, and so many others. Each year, I managed a $150,000 budget, booked and contracted over 100 acts, built and staffed 8 stages (sound, lights, art, signage, logistics of each stage) hired 50 workers, and found in-kind sponsorships of food, hotel rooms, a million dollar tour bus for the green room. I brought in a world class promotions team, reintroduced the high school art competition, and in 2003, raised $600,000 at the stages so that the ADF could buy their office space outright, never having to pay another rent check. Being a truly independent artist means I have full responsibility of whether something gets done or not. I knew I had to crowdfund or I wouldn’t be able to record. Asking for money and support was awkward and scary, but I knew I must if I was going to put out this next CD with John Keane. The title song, “Broken Wings Heal” is by Boo Ray, a Nashville songwriter who I first met in Athens, GA in 2008, and fell in love with the vernacular and spirit of this song, which cuts right to the bone, and says everything I need it to say and more. It is a beautiful centerpiece to this recording, which centers around and explores the fall and rise of a loved one. WHY do this? I’m learning to appreciate every moment, every nuance of life. These songs are stirred and born from that appreciation and from the yearning to be in the moment and deal with life on life’s terms. I’m healing in front of you and I feel naked and exposed. I am creating a new path with every step. Gratitude You have reaffirmed my belief that we could all come together on a cosmic level to make a difference. You helped create a new platform that gives us a common language, a compass with which to gauge life, creating a code book in which to communicate. Your contributions have been a life line and have enabled these songs to reach out into the world. Thank you! OCt 24 14 Olivia and CA jacket backMichael Pierce is a beloved artist based in Athens GA with an international reach. I’ve known Michael and his inspired artwork since 1977 in Macon, Georgia. Michael’s art for BROKEN WINGS HEAL focuses on a beautiful golden gilded cage that I found on the side of the road while on tour in Austin Texas, April 2014. It was calling to me, waiting for me. How did it not get picked up before I got there?! With this cage, Michael has created the perfect image depicting the human desire for freedom. His vision has given this CD the beauty and grace that I see every time I look into my daughter’s gorgeous, hopeful, bright and clear eyes. This CD is dedicated to my daughter, Sarah Page. As an honor student with the highest GPA in her class, she was on a full HOPE scholarship to Georgia State University when she became addicted to heroin. She has been incarcerated for the past seven and a half years for acting out in desperation during the withdrawals. Fortunately no one was hurt and prison saved her life, and my beautiful, smart and sensitive girl returned to me. She has not only recovered but she is thriving. She has taught over 300 women, helping them to obtain their GEDs. Presently, she works hard for her 4.0 GPA in her accredited college courses. She is singing and playing guitar in the traveling choir and participating in the dog program that rehabs pound pups and teaches inmates to be vet assistants. She has begun the Theology program with the prison’s chaplain and in 2017 she will come home. Rising out of the ashes, she flies towards the sun. Broken Wings Heal.