I am excited to share two decades of my music, reflecting experiences of life, love, loss and lawyering. Thank you to my son Adam Ward for his encouragement and perspective, as well as his vocals and guitar. Thank you to Mac Ritchey for his enthusiasm and professionalism in helping me capture the emotion within my music. May 1, 2017 ================================================================== 1. Hero in Disguise. Heroes are everywhere, and most are unsung. Inspired by Sharon Ward, my wife. You’re a major league slugger stepping up to the plate . . . 2. Naked Lady Necktie. Passing your wisdom and values to others is life’s greatest legacy. The branches are still growing on the family tree, tied to its roots for all eternity . . . 3. Walk as One. Evolving love, house to home, and blessings of family are themes in this wedding song for Michael and Cindy, Alex and Amanda, and Syla and Wendy. Hand in hand we’ll walk along, we’ll feed each other to keep us strong . . . 4. Green Drinks. Written by David Ward, with Adam Ward and Cathy Coletti, speaking first to their early times and travels, then to an unwritten future. Sure steps, missteps, Destiny Takes Her Time . . . 5. Damned Old Blues. I awoke one morning dreaming of a jagged wooden sign at the edge of a pond, its muddy water opaque as self-pity. The sign read, “Damned Old Blues”. Don’t sing about your miseries, baby . . . 6. Man of the House. A composite of the abusive and the self-absorbed. Written as first-person male, the protagonist may just as well have been female. She’s the one to push my buttons, she’s the one who pouts . . . 7. Grandma’s Porch. Grandma Opal Griffin had a big heart and a big house complete with tenants and “roomers”. There were seven of us grandkids and Grandma’s apartment was small, so the big front porch was a focal point for activity. We learned a lot outside on Grandma’s porch . . . 8. Irish Clockmaker. I learned verses one and two as a fourth grader from a priest-in-training at St. Aloysius School in Livingston Manor, NY, and wrote verses three and four as a young adult. In 2016 I uncovered internet audio revealing, to my surprise, an adult story line better suited to a rowdy tavern than a Catholic school. To the rich city slickers a tip of my hat . . . 9. Hey Babe. Love may be a simple overture away. Hey babe, won’t you be my baby . . . 10. Touch You. A tactile love song for Sharon. Together since 1970, married since ‘75, running a Wills & Trust law firm since ‘79, raising kids since ‘81, and spoiling grandkids since 2014. I wanna touch you, feel your fingers meshed in mine . . . 11. Please Honey Please. A plea for reconciliation by someone not yet ready to move on. Nobody can love you honey like I love you now . . . 12. Someone’s Daughter. We honor all who gave so much in Iraq and Afghanistan. Americans die nearly every day to make life a little safer in the USA . . . 13. Broccoli and Beer. Advice for maintaining the balance in your life and the Warfarin in your blood. A little fun can be its own lifesaver . . . 14. Afraid for Jamie. Parents everywhere hope their kids will enjoy happy, secure lives, yet never quite stop worrying. Help him be a man, be the best he can, help him to his feet when he falls down . . . 15. The Year 2000. My six year old self interacting with my 29 year old Dad during a drive in 1961. The year 2000 is coming down the road, said the man talkin’ on the radio . . . 16. Thank You for Praying for Me. I took comfort in promises of prayer as I faced open heart surgery in 2007. Your words were so kind, easing my mind . . . ================================================================== All music and lyrics by David Ward, except Green Drinks lyrics by David Ward, Adam Ward, and Cathy Coletti, and Irish Clockmaker is traditional with verses 3 and 4 by David Ward. Produced, recorded, and mixed by Mac Ritchey, Possum Hall Studio, Carlisle, MA. Mastered by Toby Mountain of Northeastern Digital, Southborough, MA. Photography by Jim Gilmour, Swanzey, NH. Graphic design by Patrick Patno, Salt Lake City, UT. David Ward: Lead Vocals 1-16; Backing Vocals 1, 2, 5; Acoustic Guitar 2-7, 9, 11-16; Bass 7, 15. Adam Ward: Backing Vocals 2-16; Acoustic Guitar 3, 4, 7, 8, 9. Mac Ritchey: Electric Guitar 2, 3, 4, 6; Bass 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16; B-3 Organ 1, 2, 4-6, 9, 12, 15, 16; Mellotron 3, 4; Percussion 1, 2, 6, 12, 13, 15; Acoustic Guitar 1, 10; Bouzouki 3, 13; Oud 12; Electric Oud 3. Dan Fox: Trombone 5, 6, 10, 11, 14. Roger Williams: Resophonic Guitar 7, 14, 16. Richard Stillman: Banjo 7, 15. Mark Shilansky: Piano 10. ================================================================== I am excited to share two decades of my music, reflecting experiences of life, love, loss and lawyering. Thank you to my son Adam Ward for his encouragement and perspective, as well as his vocals and guitar. Thank you to Mac Ritchey for his enthusiasm and professionalism in helping me capture the emotion within my music. May 1, 2017