Colin Linden: When The Spirit Comes

I've just finished watching a video of the movie "Hearts of Fire". It was a direct-to-video kind of thing that starred Bob Dylan. A lot of it was filmed in Toronto, and I am an extra in the airport scene. If you sit through an hour and eight minutes and look real closely, you can see me wearing a purple beanie and a black jacket. If "Citizen Kane" is like "Desolation Row", then "Hearts of Fire" is like "Pretty Peggy-o". It doesn't make much sense, but it has a great star. No offense.

We made "When The Spirit Comes" not too long after they made "Hearts of Fire".

I call the early-to-middle 1980's the "Duran Duran Era". Lots of people told me that I should learn to play the synthesizer, because "no one will be playing guitar in 10 years." I spent most of my time being a sideman and hoping that I could fool enough people to fit in somehow. When they finally loosened up the reins, I got to make "When The Spirit Comes".

I have a lot of memories associated with recording this album. Gary Craig, who played drums on this recording (and most everything else I've been involved in), had mononucleosis, and played take after brilliant take in between coughing fits. John Whynot, who produced the album with me, turned me into a Scotch drinker, and Shane Adams, who played bass, spent most of the time jumping up and down on his cabinet. Making this record was also the first chance I had to work with my heroes, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson of The Band, an association that continues to grow over the years.

A lot of major events occurred in my life between the time these songs were made up and when they were released. I lost a couple of people who were close to me, I worked as a Santa Claus and I got married. I made some new friends and got closer with some others.

We've included some songs that didn't make the original cut due to time reasons. Remember vinyl? Having only 20 minutes a side was an issue in 1988.

All songs written by Colin Linden and published by Warner-Chappell Music Canada/Colin Linden Publishing (CAPAC) except:

"Chest Fever," written by J. R. Robertson and published by W. B./Dwarf Music (ASCAP).

The Colin Linden Band Is:

Colin Linden

Electric & acoustic guitars, lead & harmony vocals

John Whynot

All keyboards, acoustic guitar, background vocals

Shane Adams

Bass guitar & attitude

Gary Craig

Drums & all percussion

Teddy Leonard

Acoustic guitar & background vocals

Special Guests:

Rick Danko

Harmony & lead vocals

Garth Hudson

Keyboards

Tom Cochrane

Harmony vocals

Sredni Vollmer

Background vocals

Produced by John Whynot with ColinLinden

Engineered by Hugh Cooper
Assisted by Chris Pritchard & Noel Golden
Additional Engineering by John Whynot & Danny Hitchen
Assisted by John Oliveira & Mark Howard
Recorded at Metalworks Studios, Mississauga and Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton
Additional Recording at Sound Design Studio, Toronto
Production coordinator (Metalworks)—Alex Andronache (with Andy Holland)
Production coordinator (Grant Avenue)—Bob & Maureen Doidge

Executive Producer—Peter Budge
for Two Halves Musical Productions

Tom Cochrane appears courtesy of Capitol Records/EMI of Canada Ltd./BMG (U.S.)

The Eternally Grateful List:

Janice Powers, Mendelson Joe, Curtis Driedger, John Whynot, Joe Bimblich

For Their Help In Making This Recording, We Thank:

Misters Budge & Bimblich, Clark Miller, Gerry Lacoursiere and A&M Canada, Jerry Renewych and Chappell Music Canada, Bill Evans, Michael Pollack, Rick Danko, Sredni Vollmer, Tom Cochrane, Joe Farno, King Olav V of Norway, The Metalworks Staff, Triumph—especially Mike Levine, Dan Townsley, Kanny Hitchen, Tamara Silvera, Cheryl Powers, Neil & Carolyn Turnbull, Tom Griffiths, Michael Spencer-Arscott, Joanne Hovey, Connie Davis, Ted Rosnick & Associates, Taska Carrigan, Bohdan Hluszko, Arlene Bishop, Joe Owens, Robin Wells and the staff of Steve's Music Rentals (Toronto), FACTOR (Mel Shaw, Marni Thornton and Heather Sym)

For Inspiration On These Songs, I Thank:

Skip James, Son House, Hambone Willie Newbern and John Thibodeau

Dedicated to Kwan Chi Hung aka Roger Rainbow.

1997 NOTE:

There are a lot of people to thank in connection with this reissue:

In addition to all those I thanked on the original issue, I'd like to thank:

Randy Sharrard, Rick Camilleri, Mike Roth, Don Oates, Robyn Walters, and all of my friends at Sony Music Canada, Dave Porter (the Save), Susan Brearton and all of those at A&M who worked this album the first time out, Ann Forbes for her continued support - starting with this record, Joe Bimblich and Peter Budge, Greg Torrington, Anne-Marie Smith, Bev McKee and all at Warner-Chappell Canada, my friends Clark Miller & Taska Carrigan for their belief in this record, John Whynot for the brilliant re-mastering job, Gary Craig, Richard Bell, John Dymond, and especially, Janice Powers.

COLIN LINDEN