Learning How To Fly Release Notes

LEARNING HOW TO FLY

GAIL BAKER

MEGAWAVE Records MEGW0632

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Gail Baker brings us a revelatory album distilling her decades-long musical journey spanning jazz, world, gospel, and contemporary music. Supported by some of the finest session players to play in Detroit, Gail shares some of her personal story along with sharp observations of what is happening around us today.

Joining Gail are Charles Bartels (Bass), Michael Friedman (Drums), Maurice "Pirahnahead" Herd (Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Engineering, Production), Maureen Honoré (Background Vocals), James Hughes (Saxophone, Flute), Takashi Lio (Bass), Tracy Kash (Background Vocals, Flute), Greg Nance (Bass), James Brown Eagle Niemi (Guitar), Ron Otis (Drums), Pat Shanley (Guitar), James Shelton (Organ), Jimmy Shelton (Percussion, Assistant Engineer), and Marni Sison (Guitar, Bass).

Baker has earned national and local recognition, including Detroit Music Awards for Best World/Reggae/Ska Recording and Best Female Vocalist, a Metro Times Music Award for Best New Group, a Billboard Pick Hit of the Week, and critical acclaim from AllMusic. She has performed at major events such as the NAMM Convention and Concert of Colors, appeared on television and radio including The Mitch Albom Show, and participated in regional festivals and choral performances nationwide. Her discography includes five previous releases, with “Learning How to Fly” being her first solo release.

01 High Up On The Mountain, 2:59 USMW42663201

Music, Lyrics, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar - Gail Baker

Organ – James Shelton

Bass, Guitar – Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd

Background Vocals – Tracy Kash

Drum Programming - Gail Baker

02 Learning How To Fly, 2:55 USMW42663202

Music, Lyrics, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar - Gail Baker

Soprano Saxophone, Flute – James Hughes

Flute – Tracy Kash

Bass – Takashi Iio

Guitar, Percussion, Drum Programming – Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd

03 Inflation Nation, 3:34 USMW42663203

Music, Lyrics, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar - Gail Baker

Guitar, Bass, Keyboards – Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd

Flute, Background Vocals – Tracy Kash

Drums – Ron Otis

04 Spinning Me Around, 2:30 USMW42663204

Music, Lyrics, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar - Gail Baker

Guitar – James Niemi

Bass – Greg Nance

Drums – Ron Otis

Background Vocals – Tracy Kash

Background Vocals – Maureen Honoré

05 Street Beat, 3:46 USMW42663205

Music, Lyrics, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar - Gail Baker

Guitar – Pat Shanley

Guitar, Bass – Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd

Drums – Ron Otis

Background Vocals – Tracy Kash

06 Dark Veil, 3:40 USMW42663206

Music, Lyrics, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar - Gail Baker

Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Dub Efx – Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd

Flute – Tracy Kash

Drums – Ron Otis

Percussion – Jimmy Shelton

07 Chara, 2:43 USMW42663207

Music, Lyrics, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar - Gail Baker

Guitar, Bass – Marni Sison

Drums – Ron Otis

Background Vocals – Tracy Kash

08 Love Up With You, 1:56 USMW42663208

Music, Lyrics, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar - Gail Baker

Guitar – Pat Shanley

Bass – Charles Bartels

Drums – Michael Friedman

Background Vocals – Tracy Kash

Hand Claps – Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd, Jimmy Shelton, Gail Baker

Engineering and Production, Oxford Studio – Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd

Assistant Engineer – Jimmy Shelton

Album Cover Art - Chara Liakou

This album is dedicated in memory of my late husband Michael Friedman. Special thanks to Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd, all the musicians for their time and talent, Sherry McLaughlin, Cindy Wilson, Harriet Hammer, Nancy Finegood, Chara Liakou, and John Palmer.

For booking and other information, please contact John Palmer, john@megawave.us.

To Learning How To Fly Bios

To MEGAWAVE Home Page

Please contact info@megawavemusic.com with questions or comments about this page.
MEGAWAVE does not collect data from this web site.
As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
As an Apple associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Last updated June 21, 2026.
are service or trade marks of Megawave Corporation.