“Where I Live” Places, people, times, states of emotion, passion, experiences, love, loss & redemption This album grew out of my desire to take songs I have written in the last few years to completion – arranged, performed and recorded. The process of recording has been a journey of discovery. The recording brought together musicians from different roots and genres. They come from folk, roots rock, country, jazz, reggae, punk and pop. I wanted to create a venue that would feature the skill of the players within the context of the songs. These players are truly exceptional and it has been a great joy to work with and learn from them. Most of the songs were recorded “live” with a full band playing in the studio – bass, drums, keyboards, two guitars and vocals with additional parts added later. I think this gives a more organic and session-like feel to the songs. The core of the recording group was constant with additional musicians coming in on tunes. The goal has been to capture the song in a form as fully as I hear when I am writing it on acoustic guitar. I have worked with musicians and vocalists to realize the song’s genre and voice. I grew up writing in the late 60’s and 70’s, in a time when there was a great deal of active experimentation going on in song writing. The genres and song structure were not so defined as they are today. That sensibility has stayed with me and influences how I write. The songs on the album are in tone from folk/Celtic, rock, jazz, to fado and country. I am a man writing in his fifties which has shaped my writing as I am ever more aware of the fragility of life, the strength that people show in the face of loss, and their search for connection and meaning. Paul Woolner The musicians on “Where I Live” and who they have performed and recorded with: Paul Chapman – Electric, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonies Susan Aglukark, Arrogant Worms, Jason McCoy, The Wilkersons Gary Craig – Drums Bruce Coburn, Jan Arden John Dymond – Electric and Double Bass Bruce Coburn, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings Richard Bell – Piano, Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes Janis Joplin, The Band Steve O’Conner - Piano, Hammond B3 Natalie McMaster, Lisa Brokop Fergus Hambleton – Vocals, Tenor Sax Sattalites, The Basics Jason Wilson – Vocals, Piano, Hammond B3, Accordion Tabarruk, UB40 Brent Titcomb – Vocals, Percussion Anne Murray, Oliver Schroer Gideon – Vocals, Guitar The Viletones, Loveless Rick Morrison – Baritone sax The Band, Ronnie Hawkins Chris Whiteley – Trumpet John Hammond, Prairie Oyster Stephanie Sherri – Vocals Pan Out Now Sonia Platnick – Vocals Paul Woolner – Vocals, Electric, Acoustic Guitars Co- Producers – Paul Chapman, Paul Woolner Songs – Music and Lyrics Paul Woolner Engineer – Norm Barker Recorded, mixed and mastered at Studio 92, Toronto