I was blessed to have been able to record this collection of love songs; some familiar, some deliciously not so familiar. Why 14 love ballads? For me, when loves turns in an unexpected direction and forces me to recover and come out on the other end the better for it—that’s a good thing and the reason that these songs were chosen. My own story exists in the words and music of this CD, yet, each song has its own story. And, for those who may think the stories are only about love lost, I say: with love lost, comes the hope of love; and with hope, all things are possible.

My sincere thanks to Carroll Coates for his composition, “Better To Have Loved” which Carroll generously wrote for this CD, and I am eternally grateful to him for this wonderful addition to the American Songbook. A
heartfelt thanks to Duncan Lamont for “Manhattan in the Rain;” Duncan, it was a privilege to sing your words and music. Thanks to my dear friend Mary Taylor who requested that I record “At Seventeen,” and to my good friend Edith Sims whose beautiful rendition of “Mon Amant de Saint-Jean,” with English lyrics so lovingly translated by her husband, Michael, inspired me to record it here. Thanks also to my ever-ready, music historians and researchers Brad Conner and Ben Sears; and to Trudi Mann and Bob Grimes for 
finding and sending music that was difficult to put my hands on. Many thanks for the hours and generous time given to me by Bob Patton, Engineer and Proprietor of Thin Ice Productions. Your editing genius is deeply appreciated—not to mention your finely tuned listening skills. My deepest gratitude goes to my friend and consummate musician/arranger, Dick Lowell. Dick, you have filled these songs with passion, life and heart! Lastly, to Jim, my friend, partner and husband—you are the reason that it is “Better to Have Loved”