NORM'S PROSE:
"Stubborn Ghost" LP Dedication

Norm and Ben
Stubborn Ghost (1988) liner notes

A LETTER TO BENJAMIN EDWARD CHASE HACKING

Dear Ben,

As I write this, you are a truly delightful 6 year old boy, about to turn 7 on Canada Day. Since your arrival here on Planet Earth, you have been remarkably patient and kind and open and giving with your mother and I, and the lessons I've learned from you are undoubtedly reflected in some of the songs I have written for STUBBORN GHOST.

I enclose this note with the album in the hope that should you rediscover this record in later years, that you would know a bit about some of the people who made it possible. With luck, of course, we will all still be together, and the names I now mention may in fact have become wonderful friends to you also.

Graeme Adams was the first to help us get back into the studio, and John Hamilton's tremendous support kept us there ‘til the project was complete. We of course chose Comfort Sound Studios which meant once again working with my wonderful friend Doug McClement. In the 18 years that I (and several of musical friends) have been paying for the privilege of being independent artists in this country, no one has given me greater support, encouragement and friendship than Doug. It would be impossible to begin to repay him adequately for his help with NORM HACKING LIVE; CUT ROSES; and now STUBBORN GHOST. Doug plays bass on several cuts including Old Things in Love, a special song written for your mother.

There are also songs dedicated to your Grandma, Kathy O.; to your Great Grandma, Ella, who taught me about Christmas; to a wonderful singer-songwriter named Steve Goodman; and there is one dedicated to you.

I soon found out it is still a great thrill to work with consumate artists and professionals, like John Arpin and Kirk Elliott. They're two of the finest, and their performances on STUBBORN GHOST make this record very special for me, because they are also very special friends.

Likewise it was great to finally sing with Ron Nigrini. Ron and I met in university and he was a real influence on me. I remember seeing him perform in now extinct clubs like The Butcher's Arms. I was just starting then, and Ron would let me play his old Martin between his sets, as we sat at a table by the stage drinking draft beer.

STUBBORN GHOST was also my first chance to record with old friends Dyan Maracle, Jim Layeux, Tim Harrison and Kid Carson as well as newer friends David Woodhead and John Sheard (who mixed the final album). It was a welcome chance, again, to work with Matt Zimbel, John Adames, Paul Corby, Chris Whiteley, and my friend Michael Smith (who is my nominee as the finest songwriter in the English language).

Lastly, or course, there is Kevin Bell. Kevin came along just in time to remind me that there is nothing I enjoy more than writing and playing music. He is my friend, and most treasured musical companion, and with luck I will have the privilege of working with him for many years to come.

I hope, Ben, that you do not mind that STUBBORN GHOST does not make you the son of a wealthy musician. I've always written songs for people, not "markets", and that makes my work hard to slot in these days of rigid commercial categorization. I don't mind if you don't.

Of course, by the time you unearth a dusty copy of this album years from now, there may no longer be appropriate machinery on which to play a vinyl "record". You and your friends may find yourselves staring mystified at this oversized black disk, wondering whether the ancients used it to serve up snacks, or perhaps flung it about in backyard recreational sport. If need be, try the local museum and perhaps they may let you give it a spin. I hope you like it.

Love always,

Daddy

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Webmaster's update:  The Stubborn Ghost LP is out of print, but ten of the twelve tracks are included on the recently reissued CD Skysongs... A Writer's Collection. Six of the songs were recorded by other artists for One Voice: A Tribute to Norm Hacking, Volume 1, now available.

For more of Norm's prose (all on this site), see the index to Norm's lyrics, poetry and prose (including "Race Track Hack" columns and "Looking for Christmas" feature article) on this website.