A new spirited and dynamic Melanie Dekker album, recorded with award-winning Canadian producer Sheldon Zaharko, and supported by Creative BC and the Government of British Columbia.

A collection of 10 songs that will take you to a few special corners of your heart. There is depth & variety, and the more you listen the sweeter the details. Each song visits a time, and a place, where a feeling glues that moment together. The pace is somewhat like walking through a city on a sunny day where the wind is howling and seems to chase you, as it’s strength differs with every turn you make.  “This folk-pop record was mostly influenced by the last 100 shows, journeys experienced with my family & dearest friends over the last 5 years, and paying attention to the ‘quiver’ you get when something makes the hair on your arms stand up.  The music I listened to these past few years (‘City & Colour’, ‘Tom Petty’, ‘The Band’, ‘John Mayer’,’Ed Sheeran’) and inevitably some heartbreak also played a part.”

The backbone of most of the tracks are my acoustic guitar, and then I coloured the songs with my favourite musicians and instruments. I also dared to use my fingers on the piano track on ‘Always Gonna Be’, gently strummed the Ukulele on ‘More Human’, got funky with the Wurlitzer piano on ‘Better when we do’, and gently hammered it all home on a Rhodes Piano on ‘When it’s over’ – the final and most gentle track.

Secret Spot

LYRICS - Haunted with unforgettable by good memories.
Musicians - Bass, Drums, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar (Keith Scott from Bryan Adams' band played the electric guitar with an ebow.)
SONG-A driving, bouncy track with a slight Celtic influence in the riff and the tempo
PRODUCERS- Melanie Dekker & Sheldon Zaharko

Memories Of You

Lyrics - came of out of a live concert where I made up the 'Front Row' chorus. I could see that I knew everyone in the front row and they had driven from up to 3 hours to be there at the closing concert of my tour! I felt thrilled and wanted to show it and tell it. It's verses and subsequent lyrics were finished at home with co-writer David Borys.
Musicians- 2 electric guitar players, drums and bass, and me on the acoutic were all recorded live off the floor at Bryan Adams studio in Vancouver.
Sound - I was listening to recordings by 'The Band' a few weeks prior to recording. So this sound was at the forefront of my mind when we (with co-producer: Sheldon Zaharko) hit record.

Front Row

LYRICS- inspired by a need to say Sorry in a song
MUSICIANS- Cello, Piano & Ukelele
SONG- solemn, honest, and somewhat quirky ballad
PRODUCERS- Melanie Dekker & Sheldon Zaharko

3. More Human
M Dekker 

In a bind that I can’t bend                                  
No sleep for days on end                       
Cause things went so badly

Words I wish I didn’t say                       
The wine got in the way                        
And I am truly sorry 

I want to take it back
Undo what’s been done 
Never have I felt 
More human, more human 

Now alone I eat from a chipped plate               
My words withdrawn too late                
I hope that you’ll forgive me

Maybe somewhat wiser now                                     
With my mistakes abound                                   
Oh I have loved you badly

Secret Spot CD

More Human

LYRICS- A true story about how my bass player didn't know his Mom's name until he was 9 years old because he only heard his Dad's endearing terms used;  50's - 60's: Sugar, Sweetie, honey, darlin; and when he was in trouble "Your Mother...!" , in the early 50's: Ginned Up was a way to say stoked, or excited and getting ready. All of the lyrics in this song are thread by a 50's needle:)
MUSICIANS- mandolin, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums & bass
SONG VIBE- a story-like song with great punch & energy
PRODUCERS- Melanie Dekker & Sheldon Zaharko

Ginned Up

Lyrics- a recited story from Oberfranken in Germany. You see, the secret to why the people who live there don't have few worries because they put them in a hand woven basket and put the basket in a river and let them flow 'away'
Musicians- slide guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums & bass
Song-the song has hope and charm in the lyrics and the depth and weight in the relaxed temp track.

Try Me (the Basket Song)

LYRICS- Something my Mama said to me when I was the 12year old undeveloped brace-faced teenager. It came to me when someone asked me if I remembered how I developed confidence and if I was always comfortable in my skin...I want to share those words with the world now.
MUSIC- Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Drums & Bass
SONG- somewhat funky, cool & clear. Recorded live off the floor, with the piano bits added later. I have played over 100 shows with the drummer & bass player and I feel it and can hear it.
PRODUCERS- Melanie Dekker & Sheldon Zaharko

Always Gonna Be

LYRICS - My Dad took me Muling through in Baja, Mexico last year. On our last night we had campfire with a mere dozen of us. The Mexican cowboys (Vaqueros) there pulled out instruments and played songs throughout the night. My Dad requested one, it moved him so much he got a tear in his eye. I HAD to write a song about it and will deliver this one on my Dad's 75th birthday this year. Te Amo Mucho -I love you, in Spanish.
MUSICIANS- percussionist, acoustic steel-string guitar, upright Bass, classical guitar, some 'from the kitchen' backup vocals
SONG- It's got a live kitchen/living room feel, which is exactly how we recorded it. Keith Scott (from Bryan Adams)added his 'willie nelson' style licks afterwards.
PRODUCERS: Melanie Dekker & Sheldon Zaharko

Te Amo Mucho

LYRICS: Sharing with another where they have their secret spot, and enticing them to follow. A special whistle helps lour you in. Inspired by the wind, woods and coastline of both Lake Beautiful in Port Moody, BC, Canada & the coastline of the country of Denmark.
MUSICIANS: Full 5 piece band. Acoustic. Bass. Drums. Slide Guitar. Keys.
SONG: Upbeat with a whistle
PRODUCER- Allan Rodger at Crosstown Studios, Vancouver, BC
MIXING ENGINEER - Sheldon Zaharko at Zed Productions, Vancouver, BC

LYRICS- Were written for a Breast Cancer Foundation Event. Ironically, I was having a hard time getting started...and once I got going, it felt great. The song lyrics incorporated exactly that.
MUSICIANS- I played the Keyboards and my Drummer played a suitcase and off we went, no click.! The BG vocals, bass, & trumpet were added/played along later.
SONG VIBE- feel good and relaxed (somewhat a 'Ricky Lee Jones' sound
PRODUCER- Melanie Dekker & Sheldon Zaharko

Better When We Do

LYRICS- the lessons in heartbreak, raw, with the most important lyric last.
THE MUSICIANS- I sing with Vicky Sjohall often, and she was the only one whose voice I craved on this. I played the Keys and later played the Snare with brushes too. Jeremy Holmes is on bass with a very special touch.
SONG VIBE- Ballad. Middle-of-the-night feel.
PRODUCER- Melanie Dekker & Sheldon Zaharko
ENGINEER- Sheldon Zaharko

When It's Over

Vivacious & Sentimental. Voice Like Chocolate. Find more music on itunes. Questions? please email mel@melaniedekker.com. THANK YOU!