Celebrated Canadian singer-songwriter and filmmaker Peter Prince draws inspiration from a lifetime of travels and experiences to craft a vibrant collection of songs on his latest album, Born To Fly. With a career spanning over four decades, Prince has earned acclaim for his evocative storytelling and musical artistry. This album, his eighth release of original Folk/Roots music, is a testament to his ability to weave vivid imagery, heartfelt emotions and acoustic energy into every track.

“Over the Himalayas here come the birds of heaven,” Prince sings in “Shangri-La,” a song that reflects on his travels in Bhutan shooting a documentary about endangered Black Necked Cranes. The track features Tara Maclean’s rich harmonies, Jane Phillips’ deeply tender cello and captures the enchanting beauty of the land and its people.

The album showcases Prince’s distinctive finger-picking acoustic guitar, piano and harmonica, complemented by contributions from a host of talented guest artists. His warm, resonant voice brings life to lyrics that explore themes of change, resilience, and gratitude.

Highlights from Born To Fly include:

“Curly Blue”: A breezy ode to west coast love, featuring Ian Van Wyck’s double bass, Laurent Boucher’s drums and Doug Cox’s dobro guitar.

“Sea Wolf”: A haunting tribute to the aquatic wolf and Salt Spring Island’s indigenous legend of TAHĀKWIA; accompanied by George Crotty’s stirring cello and Prince’s soulful piano.

“Make A Difference”: With a distinctly poetic voice Prince urges the next generation to pick up the torch for social and climate justice; featuring Brent Shindell’s electric guitar and Henry Boudin’s saxophone.

“The Tongan Way”: A lighthearted homage to the South Pacific islands, where Prince’s experiences fishing in shark-infested waters and drinking kava with locals shine through in the lyrics. His rhythmic guitar and harmony vocals by Sivalla create a transportive feel.

“Feels So Fine”: A lively wedding song for Prince’s daughter, bursting with joyful harmonies and bluesy harmonica riffs.

“Ocean Heart”: A gentle mandolin-laced lullaby to begin the day with peaceful reflection.

“Don’t look back… everything changes,” Prince sings on “Born To Fly.” The album’s title track encapsulates the spirit of the project with imagery of life’s bittersweet twists of fate, his staccato finger-picking and flute accompaniment by Bruce Everett. The song beckons us to reach for our innate strength to rise above pain and loss—take the birds-eye-view and see what’s real.

Born To Fly was the product of a decade of sporadic recording sessions at Prince’s Salt Spring Island studio. Over 30 songs were recorded, but only 13 were selected to create a cohesive narrative about the life of an islander, a father, a lover, a dreamer.

Prince’s music is renowned for its ability to resonate deeply with listeners, taking them on journeys into the human heart and across the globe. Born To Fly is a masterful addition to his body of work, showcasing his evolution as an artist while staying true to his Folk roots.