Album Notes

Northwest born and raised, singer/songwriter Joni Packard's first CD sings of the beauty of mountains and places wild and touches too, on the joys of the simple things in life. Easy to sing and fun to share, Joni's songs have been known to have lilted across many a mountain lake...or be an inspired kindergarten chorus!

Joni started writing songs when she was 12 years old and spent as much time as she could on the beaches in Puget Sound or at a family cabin nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Eventually Alaska called her name, where she lived and worked for 8 years. Later she moved to Helena, Montana, and then went to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness country of Idaho. She has since returned to Montana, and now lives near Missoula, in the wild and beautiful Bitterroot Valley.

Joni's songs are simple yet powerful, whether conveying images of wild winds sweeping over high, rugged lands, or the dance of spring clouds from someone deliciously in love. Weaving images and story together with a gentle accoustic guitar and Joni's soft lyrical voice, the music becomes something you want to hear - and sing along with - over and over again.

The title track, "Wild Places" was written when Joni worked one summer in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reflects the joy of first discovering that forever wild country. "On the Way to Jasper" is a song sparked by the towering beauty of the Northern Rockies near Jasper, Alberta. "I'm Just a Child, Come Teach Me," was inspired when Joni's first nephew was born, and all the things he might have said if he could have talked at one day old! "If You Had Three Wishes" reflects the heartfelt wishes and dreams of 10 and 12 year old girls attending a Girl Scout summer camp. "Count Your Blessings!" is an upbeat song that finds the good in the little things of life.

There are songs that are whimsical and fun, songs about love, and a wedding song about trusting and loving once again. And there are songs too, about some of the harder chapters of our lives, of losing those we care for deeply.

The CD has 15 original compositions. Consisting primarily of vocals and acoustic guitar, musician Albert McDonnell from Juneau, Alaska also joins Joni on selected songs with backup harmony vocals and fun and lively mixes of acoustic and electric bass and guitar, percussion and synthesizer. Local Juneau musicians also add flute, oboe, violin, and synthesized piano to some of the music.

An accomplished photographer as well, the CD liner notes feature a variety of four-color photos that Joni has taken from Montana, Alaska, Washington, and the Yukon, along with the lyrics to all 15 compositions. With songs that appeal to all ages, this CD will be one to treasure and share for many years to come.

Enjoy the music!