Album Notes

Tim Harrison is one of Canada's finest singer-songwriters on the folk and acoustic music landscape today. He has been described as "a beguiling songwriter" (Acoustic Guitar), and as "a wizard with words, wringing poetry from our everyday struggles and making those subtle shifts in imagery that make a great songwriter. He has the all-too-rare ability to reach inside and body forth lyrics that are from the heart and real. The true heritage of folk music - alive not archival." (Geoffrey Hays, Toronto.Com).

Hailing from Owen Sound and now living in Toronto, Ontario, Tim made his debut in 1979 with the appearance of the much heralded recording, Train Going East, produced by Stan Rogers and engineered by Daniel Lanois. Since then, he has recorded In The Barroom Light (1985), The Stars Above (1995), Bridges (1997) and Tim Harrison (1999), all of which have garnered accolades at home and abroad. Recently, the Scottish group, The John Wright Band, recorded '"Not For The Love Of The Money'" (Bridges) on their Language Of The Heart CD (Greentrax label). His new and 6th release, Sara And The Sea (2001) is a signature album of stirring ballads and beautiful melodies influenced by the traditions, yet which have Tim's inimitable stamp.

Sara And The Sea features eight great original tunes (including a stunning guitar instrumental), and one interpretation ('When I'm Gone' by Phil Ochs).

Joining Tim (who recorded, mixed and produced the album) are some other fine Canadian musicians: Paul Mills (Stan Rogers) on mandolin, Zeke Mazurek (Sylvia Tyson) on fiddle, Dennis Pendrith (Bruce Cockburn) on bass, Juno award winner Chris Whiteley on harmonica, and Liane de Lotbiniere providing harmony vocals.

The song themes vary from those of social and political import (as in 'Gonna Ride That Train', 'Prayer Watching'), to metaphorical (as in the e.e. cummings-inspired title track), to ones of a more personal nature (such as 'Ghosts On PEI'), all of which are seamlessly woven together by Tim's poetic lyrics, compelling vocals and great finger- and flat-picking.