A departure from Michele's usual live vocals and guitar style, this new recording involves more musicians and production; saxes as whales, for example. Whales "Delta" and "Dawn", stranded up a river, made headline news and inspired this song.

"Delta and Dawn" was inspired by a news story about two humpback whales, mother "Delta" and baby "Dawn", who were found swimming up the Sacramento River, California, in 2007. Would they inspire us to save the oceans and their creatures? Would this save our planet? Or would they be just another forgotten news story?

My original version, included in my album, "The Word Is Love", was recorded live with just vocals and guitar. I wondered what a new arrangement of the song would sound like, with more instrumentation and sounds. Then, some musicians agreed to help me. I pictured saxes as whales talking under water. Fortunately, the guys were good enough to play for me anyway. Since I was taking engineering classes at school, I decided to engineer and produce the song myself. But for this I needed big help. A big thank you to Professor Chuck Foley for co-producing. Also to Professor Gil Kaupp for mastering. Also special thanks to second engineers Arthur Chivis and Jared Sanchez. Also thanks to the guys who agreed to play for my recording.

Session Players: Jamaal Howard Tenor Sax John Yamamoto Bari Sax Andrew Silva Guitar Gyashi Greer Drums Ron George Bass Second Engineers: Arthur Chivis Jared Sanchez Co-Producer: Chuck Foley Mastering Engineer: Gil Kaupp Vocals Songwriter Producer Engineer: Michele Fairbairn

Love is like a diamond with many facets: from love of earth and our fellow creatures, to love of our fellow man, to romantic love, to a higher Love that comforts us. I hope that my songs inspire you, while at the same time offering a relaxing acoustic mood.

"The Word Is Love" © 2007 Michele Fairbairn ℗ 2007 Michele Fairbairn

Track 1: "Delta and Dawn"

A news story about two humpback whales, mother Delta and baby Dawn, inspired my song. The whales were swimming up the Sacramento River away from the ocean. Rescue attempts were headline news for about 3 weeks in 2007.

Track 2: "I Am Desert, Please Save Me"

Since living in Las Vegas, I have grown to love the desert and its beauties. This song is sung from the desert's perspective.

Track 3: "The Disciple"s Best Prayer"

One day I was reading from the New Testament in the Bible. The phrase, "Teach us to pray", uttered by an unnamed disciple, just jumped out at me.

Track 4: "Only A Dream, But Please Don't Leave Me"

Once I was dancing with an imagined sweetheart in a dream. This song was coming to me while I was waking up.

Track 5: "The Word Is Love, Somehow"

I was walking among tourists at a beach town, when this song started to come to me. I realized that I didn't know all these people but God did. Years later I added more verses.

Track 6: "Remember Kobe (Kobe Omoidasu)"

I have spent time in Japan before. Therefore, when the Kobe earthquake hit the news, I was very moved.

Track 7: " The Katrina Song"

I wrote this song in response to what I heard about Hurricane Katrina and its survivors on TV and radio during the first weeks after the big storm. "Blessed be ye poor. Let us love our brother more."

Track 8: "Now They Call It The O.C."

I wrote this after I caught an episode of the "O.C." on television. I kept seeing places that I recognized. I finally realized that "O.C." stood for Orange County, California, my old stomping grounds.

Track 9: "The Stranger's Message"

A "Stranger" steps into a coffee shop and makes people's hearts burn within them with his words of brotherly and sisterly love and peace.

Track 10: "The Kingdom Of Heaven Is 24/7"

I sometimes hear God's Kingdom spoken of only as a place we go when we die. One day I thought God is King here too. He is available 24/7.

Track 11: "Amador's Song"

The lady that Amador loves prefers another. He sings his secret feelings as he watches her and the other man sail away in a ship. All he has left are the three horses they were riding, and the knowledge that he helped save her life.

Track 12: " Woman's Prayer"

I feel that if women of all faiths and nationalities had more rights, we would find a way to promote peace. Meanwhile, let's pray for each other, no matter what faith or what part of the world we are in.

Track 13: "The Cowboy's Code"

A reminder that we Westerners have morals and a code of ethics too. "Blessed are the peacemakers". We humans need to respect each other and make peace, before we destroy our planet and each other.

Track 14: "Bring Back The Small Farmer Again"

My grandparents grew up on farms. One day my grandmother told me how challenging farming was as a business. This tribute to small farmers was largely informed by what she told me.

Track 15: "Ode To The Native American (One Poor White Man's Fantasy)"

My parents taught me to respect Native Americans and their concern for the environment. I spent two years writing this song. My sister's husband is a Native American. He gave my song his stamp of approval.