Iain Matthews and I just finished the masters for his upcoming solo album ‘How Much Is Enough’.Only two months ago he approached me and asked how I’d feel about producing ‘what may very well be my last album’. My first thought was ‘of course, great!, but also ‘we’ll see about that’.

Iain had already played me some of the songs he had written for this album and they were so good, vivid and heartfelt. But given the musical climate of today, his age, and the body of work from the six decades he’s already leaving behind, it wasn’t such a far fetched idea that his recording career would end here.

Becoming part of this album and being given the opportunity to put my musical heart and soul into it, is very special. I don’t take it for granted.

We started working on it and we worked fast and focused. Regardless of the potential weight of the process it almost felt effortless. But we paid great attention to detail and made sure we captured our best performances and sounds. Finding the right groove and getting the vibe were paramount. I think we more than succeeded. As if this album summed up all the experience Iain and I have gathered in over 20 years of performing, writing and producing songs together. But at the same time we also discovered new possibilities. The way our guitar parts mingle and my backing vocals blend with his, so recognizable and still strong, voice. Iain is one of the most iconic singers in the folkrock/Americana genre, no doubt. That, combined with the stunning playing of drummer Sjoerd van Bommel and keyboard wizard Mike Roelofs. Two of our absolute favourite players. That backdrop for a superb set of songs makes for some of the best music I ever recorded and mixed.

Anybody who’s been following Iain for the past 60 years, who loves the finest singer songwriting, the natural sound of a great Americana band or who cares about music from the heart should hear this album. It’s a definite one, whatever comes next.

BJ Baartmans, Studio Wild Verband, Boxmeer

June. 2024.