DESCRIPTION:
Near the end of the February 2010 session for "Antique Store", I asked Michael's wife Heather if she thought Michael would mind performing "Wounded" for me - live, one take - just Michael and the piano. The way that song was meant to be. I knew Michael had never really been happy with the studio version that ended up on the album.

She said she wasn't sure - he really needed to be in the right frame of mind. So, when we were done with "Antique Store," I asked him. He hemmed and hawed a bit, sat down and we all shared a beer and talked about how well the session had gone so far.

Suddenly, he sat up, looked at me, and said, "Let's do this thing before I lose my nerve."

Colin (my engineer) and I quickly set up the vocal mic by the piano, set up the session in ProTools, and hit "record". Terry started filming, and this was the result.

One take, straight through. No overdubs, no edits. Just plain, pure, raw emotion. I was sure that I would have to mop up blood off the keyboard when we were done.

This is why I love the man so much. Very few people can write like Michael does. Very few artists can touch your soul the way Michael can.

Michael McDermott: piano, vocals, heart & soul

Recorded at Lennon's Den Studio, February 2010
Mastered at World Stage Studio, March 2010

Paul Braun: producer
Colin Peterik: engineer
Larry Millas: mastering
Terry Becker, Wicked Magpie Productions: video

Music and lyrics c. Michael McDermott