THE SALT ROAD “...It takes years you know.” The words were storm blue and fell from eyes that have lived in the rain. “You can’t just carry on as if nothing happened - as if you needed a walk in the night and now you can climb back into your warm bed.” He turned toward the window again looking for a reminder that we are either moving away from the past or toward something new, but never stationery. Outside the frozen sky was low, held off only by the aggressive Cedars - spears that guarded the ground from the falling sky. I watched him like television and got lost in the reflection. Lost in the difference between what I might have done and might still do, and then I thought about her. It was as if a field of lights in my chest instantly went out. When he spoke again, I had to try and remember who he was. “You know, the heart is just a muscle,” he declared “and like any muscle it needs training and stretching, you just need to keep walking. Eventually the pain will pass and only beauty will remain, but it’s a long road and there’s no turning back. A long road. Sometimes a dirt road.” “A salt road.” he said after a while. - Excerpt from “The Salt Road” by GAVIN KNOX-GRANT ( New York, April 2002 ) THE PRELUDE In the spring of 2002, with a small backpack and an acoustic guitar, South African born Gavin Knox-Grant went in search of Jack Keroak's America, living on trains and busses, performing wherever people would listen. From the brittle New England skies, he stumbled through the dry expanse of the Midwest and into the warm, healing arms of California. San Francisco was a dreamers paradise, a haven for the underdog. With the help of some newly made friends (myself included), Gavin made his Californian debut with unprecedented success. He didn't need a spectacular light show. His natural, easy presence, acoustic guitar, reaching lyrics, and potent delivery were enough to command attention. Fast forward to 2010. It has become painfully obvious that people are tired of manufactured poets and are thirsty for authentic songwriters with a unique voice. Gavin's is that voice. Presented here is his first studio album entitled "The Salt Road". With tales of love and loss, hearts and bones, the songs here reach out to every one else who has felt the burning sky rushing beneath their skin. Gavin told me after our first show at the Hotel Utah that you have to risk your life in order to save it. Looking back, all the sleepless nights on park benches and station floors seem to be a small price to pay for his salvation. - Ron Guenche, San Francisco, February 2009 THE CREDITS All songs written and performed by Gavin Knox-Grant, except “In Case of Emergency” by Andi Sherman. Vocals, guitar and trumpet by Gavin Knox-Grant. Backing vocals by Monique Steyn. Guitars and Mandolin by Andi Sherman. Keyboards and piano by Francious Van Der Merve. Bass by Fred Hayward. Drums by Brian Fraser. Drums on "Over My Shoulder" by Allan Lloyd. Additional strings by Christi-Louise. Produced by Andi Sherman. Additional production by Francious Van Der Merve and Gavin Knox-Grant. Engineering by Andi Sherman and Richard Vossgatter. Programming by Andi Sherman. Additional programming by Francious van der Merwe. Creative direction by James Mac Donald and Gavin Knox-Grant. Design by Gavin Knox-Grant. The cover girl is Faye Wood and she was photographed by Justin Barlow. THANKS Firstly, as usual, my Family, for pretty much everything, but especially for supporting me through all my irresponsible and often selfish choices i’ve made in persuit of my passion, Chris Luke for understanding the madness and sharing your soul, Karen Roos for always being there, Christian Zimelka for his stable mind, calm soul and being the closest thing to a brother i've ever had. Jonathan Lever for your irresponsible, irrepressible optimism and life, and for all those Brazilian girls. Brett Ellis for your initial interest, James Mac Donald for continued belief, Andy and Francious – this album is probably more yours than mine, Annie Snyman for your teaching, Ian Smith for recognising my potential, Duc Chowles for all the opportunities advice and friendship, experiences and a shared love for bruce springsteen, Debbie and Kim Davidson, for giving me Durban, Tracy Chapman for your songwriting advice, Marcus Wyatt for your teaching and friendship, Lionel burman for your unfailing guidance, Cameron Jack for your wisdom, guidance, your your open heart, and New York. The world will always be at your feet, Ron and Sarah Guench for your humour, love and general brilliance – oh and for always having a bed for me in San Francisco. Sting and Peter Gabriel for their advice, Zia Sunseri for your life, love, support, beauty, laughter, and thousands of years, Alex de Carville for gigging and recording with me in San Francisco, Michael Conlan and the Conlan family, for the best years of my life, Bobby mcBride for your colour, madness and 50 arrows, Russ Lindsay for montreal, the snow, the girls, and the vodka, Rochelle Miller, for light, hope, truth, and blessing, Jonathan Cane, for your uncompromising honesty and friendship, Keith Feldwick-Davis for always following your soul and being the most amazing friend, Wayne Pauli for sharing the dream and being so brilliant - Wembly Stadium!, Dave Pauli for somehow holding it together through those dark years, Mathew Haresnape for all your inspiration and understanding, Faye Wood, for doing the album cover shoot and James Kelly for Los Angeles. Special thanks to my band : Monique Steyn for the skies of love - one of the finest vocalist I’ll ever work with, Fred for your rock ‘n roll and all the tequila, this album is in loving memory of you my friend, you will never be forgotten, Brian Fraser, for your fanatical genius – Denati watch out, Andi Sherman for just being the most ridiculous talent, and Francious Van der Merve, for always knowing exactly what to play, and Nana... well thanks for putting up with my constant gate crashing, and for your help with the strings and finally to Mallory Lambert For believing. In loving memory of the late Fred Hayward.