Happy Birthday, Dad!

This CD was first meant to be for my Dad's birthday, but I decided to call it "Family Album" at my husband Anthony's suggestion. It freed me to choose songs that were important to many people I love. Bobby McGee was always Mrs. Dawson's favorite. Mrs. D is my "second mom"-- her daughter Liz and I were joined at the hip by the tender age of 5! Mrs. D, with her Aussie accent, always told me to record Bobby McGee, and I never did-- until now. Guy Latham came to my studio and played "harpoon" (harmonica,) and it turned out great! I told him he forgot to bring his "Dirty red bandana" though.

Then Charlie came back from his Euro tour. He was only home for a few days and off he went for a USA tour. But he kindly came over in that small window of time, and sang beautiful vocals on "You Don't Bring me Flowers." THANKS CHARLIE!!!!!

I also recorded an Edith Piaf song that my husband always requests-- "Non, Je ne Regrette Rien." (I regret nothing). Amen. What a great message. It was fun to record, I got to do a powerhouse french song. I think I might add a tuba! I've NEVER recorded a tuba on any CD before, but it just needs a little bit of oom-pa-pa to push it right over the edge.

Then there's Walter (hi Walter!) from Albies where I work. He said, "Rose, you have to learn "Winter Light." I'd never heard it before. I instantly fell in love with the song and recorded it too. Walter's cool. He gives me dragon movies and wears a red knit hat.

I had never done a CD before where I was recording songs that I didn't write. So I simply HAD to do at least ONE original! So now I have to tell you a story:
My Dad is from Holland, and my mom is from England. They are both swashbuckling adventurers, and they both moved to Canada in their twenties. My mother was hired as a nurse at a hospital in Victoria, BC. My father was an intern, and the day he was hired at the same hospital, and laid eyes on my mother, he asked to drive her home. Six months later they were married, and they moved to Oregon.
This January, Anthony and I took my parents back to Victoria for a visit. To my surprise, my mom's old house had been restored to a "Heritage House" Bed and Breakfast. We couldn't resist taking a tour, and my dad smiled and said, "I remember knocking on this door to pick up a certain young lady for a day at the beach!"
That image stuck with me, so I wrote a song called "Victoria," a love song about my mom and dad's life together. My husband says its the best song on the CD, but he's biased I think!

Try as I might to get the CD done by my Dad's birthday, I was only able to record seven songs. So I simply burnt a CD, printed a CD cover and dedication, and sent it out to him. He was very happy! And now I have house guests, so I've been putting off the churney burneys and the CD to concentrate on helping my Brazilian step-daughter-in-law and her six year old Enzo, adapt to their new country! Welcome to America, Sarah and Enzo! Welcome back Andre!!

On a personal note: I leave for Oregon this Sunday, to help my parents move out of their home of 47 years, to a smaller home in a retirement community. All four of my siblings will be there with me this Mother's day, and we will say goodbye to our childhood home. I sang about this home in my song "Victoria." I am happy that my parents will not have to work so hard trying to keep up with such a big place, but my heart now has a hollow spot that will have to be filled with treasured memories.