Mercy for the Gentle Kind

Released August 26, 2022

Music by Cameron Blake (BMI), except Sicilienne (trk V) by Maria Theresia von Paradis

Lyrics by Cameron Blake (BMI), except Tenderness (trk I) by John Berger in conversation with Michael Silverblatt, Conversation 2, Episode 5, October 2002. Podcast. Produced by the Lannan Foundation.

Cameron Blake: vocals, piano, string arrangements, violin (trk V)
Andrew Saliba: electric guitar
Max Brown: acoustic guitar (trk IV, VI)
Ian Thompson: electric & upright bass
Andrew Szumowski: drums

James Crawford: 1st violin (trk I, II, III)
Megan Crawford: 2nd violin (trk I, II, III)
Barbara Corbato: viola (trk I, II, III)
Jill Collier: cello (trk I, II, III, V)
Michael Schaeffer: accordion (trk III, V)

Produced by Cameron Blake and Josh Kaufman
Engineering and Mixing: Josh Kaufman, Local Legend Recording (Grand Rapids, MI)
Mastering: Ian Gorman, La Luna Recording and Sound (Kalamazoo, MI)
Album art: Loren John
Album photo: Sarah Craig

“Mercy for the Gentle Kind is a document of the complicated process of healing. We don’t have enough of these in the popular music canon; not just grief, but how you go through grief and get out the other side.” – Stephen Carradini, Independentclauses.com (TOP 10 Albums of 2022)

“The album cloaks a new breath; broad and lyrical, soothing and compassionate. ‘Mercy for the Gentle Kind’, not even half an hour, but of absolute and pure beauty.” -Mauro Eufrosini, itsussidiario.net (Italy)