Nov 10, 2011


Photo: Suzie Vinnick and Rick Fines at the Sharbot Lake Country Inn

Suzie Vinnick's sold-out Oct. 29 show at the Sharbot Lake Country Inn left fans and newcomers to her music wanting more, and why not? The lady, who has won numerous awards, has musical talent galore and a voice that can do it all, one that's been described as “playful, sassy and soulful”.

Suzie's star is definitely on the rise. This year she not only landed her first ever New York City show, where she opened for John Hammond as part of the Madison Square Music-Studio Series concerts, but she has also just put out her first blues solo CD titled “Me N' Mable”. Mable is her beloved acoustic, Canadian-built Larrivee parlour guitar and it accompanied her onstage at Saturday’s show along with legendary Ottawa singer and guitar player Rick Fines, who in 2006 met her halfway on their duo CD titled “Nothing Halfway”. Not too shabby for a gal from the prairies who seems to love nothing more than to share with the audience some of the most intimate parts of her life, especially those that have inspired her songs.

Vinnick’s voice is her strongest card and it was front and centre Saturday night. Hers is one of those voices that any singer would die for, one that ranges from intimate whispery pillow talk, to tough, prairie cowgirl calls, and rings clear as a bell when she croons alone like the best of the female jazzers. She can also muster up some of the deepest, lowest notes I've ever heard from a female performer and when it comes down to the blues, well she has that in spades.

Couple that with her fast and furious fingers on the fret board, which matched lick for lick the spectacular solos of Mr. Fines, and what you got on Saturday night was one red-hot night of musical entertainment. My only regret was that I missed the first set but if the second was any indication, the duo definitely won over the Sharbot Lake crowd.

Suzie opened the second set with one of her own, “City and Skies”, a slow, straightforward, bluesy lament that tells of the loss of her childhood prairie playgrounds with the “hoar frost, full moon lighting up the wheat fields”. One of the most magical moments of the night was their version of Willie Dixon's “You'll be Mine”, a funky low down bar room blues version that Suzie recorded with Fines on her latest CD. No wonder the two seemed in perfect sync, with Suzie showcasing her spot on vocals while jousting on the solos back and forth with Rick, who took the opportunity to demonstrate his one of a kind guitar playing wizardry.

Suzie seems as generous as she is gifted and handed over the limelight to Rick early in the set. He sang “Muskoka Moon”, the title track from his latest CD titled “Solar Powered”, a pretty love song with Suzie blending in with back up vocals and with the two once again taking turns on the solos. Another highlight of the evening was “How'd You Know I Missed You”, a tune the duo co-wrote on their 2006 CD, inspired by a phone call from Suzie’s brother. Suzie crooned out the soulful lyrics first with Rick responding with his finest Louie impersonation, perfectly emulating both Louie’s voice and horn.

Suzie saved some of her best for the last and gave the crowd a choice of either classic rock or gospel for the encore. Not surprisingly the crowd demanded both and she obliged first with a seemingly effortless version of Hoyt Axton's “Never Been to Spain” from her latest CD, followed by a traditional gospel tune that left the crowd wanting more.

Hats off to both performers for a memorable night of music and to the White family at the Sharbot Lake Country Inn in knowing how to pick ’em. It’s no wonder that the venue is fast becoming one of the hottest live music venues around.

For anyone who missed J.P. Cormier, he will be back at the Inn on November 18. For information on tickets call 613-279-2198.

 

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