Suzie Vinnick

2006-07-10T13:30:00.000-04:00

This email is from Al Kirkcaldy, a blues DJ from Peterborough, Ontario. I went to this juke joint when I was in Memphis last March 2005!!

Here's a good news story about one of the last real juke joints in Memphis. Anyone that's ever been there would know that the would be robber wouldn't stand a chance.
Al

http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=7b325d9a-ce4e-48fb-bd39-4d6e240d9301&rss=59

2006-01-04T17:30:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!!!

2005 was an amazing year full of friends, family, music and travels. It's looking like 2006 is shaping up to be the same, which I'm very excited about. Vinnick Sheppard Harte and Betty & the Bobs have just about completed new albums, and Rick Fines and I are going to be recording an album together this spring. A few shows I have coming up are Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe spring tour, I'm heading to Dunkerque, France to perform with Les Grande Dame du Blues, which includes blues vocalists Dawn Tyler Watson, Kim Richardson and Tony Lynn Washington; I've also been invited to perform with Aengus Finnan, Jory Nash and others on the Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Tour. There are more show details on my website if you want to take a peek - www.suzievinnick.com/gigs.html .

I have a few shows coming up this month in Ontario - here are the details:

- I have a solo show at the Tranzac (292 Brunswick Ave., tel: 416-923-8137) on Tuesday the 17th. It's an early one - takes place from 7:00pm until 9:30pm, or so. There is no cover charge, but there is 'pass the hat'. I'm going to try a few new tunes out, and if I'm feeling gutsy enough, try out a new (old) guitar - I wrangled a Goldtone Weissenborn copy a couple years ago and have a song that I think will work sweetly on it.

- The Marigolds released our debut CD last November at Hugh's Room and on Saturday January 21 will be featured at the Acoustic Harvest Folk Club Concert Series. My friend Sarah Johnston will be starting the night off; Sarah is 16 and an incredibly talented singer/songwriter from Guelph! She'll be performing some songs from her upcoming album, "Incomplete Wandering". Here are the show details: WHEN: Sat. Jan. 21/06, 8pm, $15, Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Rd. corner of Kingston Rd. & Warden Ave. in east end Toronto, Info & Tix: 416-264-2235. Show starts at 8:00pm.

- Sunday the 22nd at 8:00pm I'm doing a duo show with Rick Fines in Haliburton - Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion, Haliburton Highlands Secondary School. Rick and I will be performing a few of our new co-writes, plus songs we've had fun playing together over the years.

- on Friday the 27th, Rick Fines and I are performing in Kingston at the LiveWire Concert Series.

- Saturday the 28th I'll be singing a duet with Paul Reddick at Gregg Lawless's Duets show at Hugh's Room in Toronto. We'll also be doing a mini Songs in the Key of Canada and The Unforgettable Whachamacallits will be doing a short set as well (I play bass and sing in both of these projects).

Feel free to drop me a quick note if you have any questions, or would rather not be on the ol' mailing list.

Hope to see you soon, and I wish you and yours all the best in this New Year!!

Take care,

Suzie V.
http://www.suzievinnick.com/

2005-11-22T23:37:00.000-05:00

I just heard that Chris Whitley died of lung cancer. He was 45, and one of my favorite musicians.

Rick Fines introduced me to Chris' album "Living With the Law" sometime in the early 90's - we played it over and over and over while touring across Canada. I loved Chris's soul-filled singing and guitar playing, his poetic sensibilities, the sensuality and darkness he wasn't afraid to write about. I listened to the album a bunch over the next few years, but then the CD pouch that contained it was stolen.

Enter summer 2003 and my buddy Geordie Millar - Geordie re-connected me to Chris' music in an email where he told me about tunes and artists that he really dug, and even suggested a few tunes he could hear me singing (one was a Jimi Hendrix song called "Drifting" that Chris covered) . I wrangled another copy of "Living With the Law", and figured out how to play the title track; I forgot how much I loved the album, and it became another summer's soundtrack. I bought a bunch more that get regular rotation in my world - "Perfect Day", "Weed", "Dirt Floor", "War Crime Blues". There are another six or so more albums I've yet to explore; I will do so soon.

Chris had come through Ottawa on several occasions over the years, but I was never able to arrange to go and see him perform. Then in September 2005 I heard he was coming to my local music spot, Hughs Room, in Toronto. I called the booker to see who was opening and arranged to get to do so. I did my set without any hitches; have to say the real thrill was getting to be there and hear him live. He closed the night with one of my favorite songs, "Dirt Floor".

He was a slight, wiry man, he had these big eyes that possessed a child-like wonder and innocence and wisdom. At the end of the night I got to say a quick hi to him, and thanked him for letting me open the night, thanked him for his music and words, and for the inspiration he provided me. He didn't say much, but let me get a picture with him (I'm beaming a little too much for my liking in it, so I've not posted it. However I've posted another shot I took of Chris during the show).

I was so grateful to have been there that night.
I am so grateful for all I've learned from his music.
I am so sorry to hear of his passing.

I've included lyrics to his song, "Dirt Floor" (I hope I got them right...).

~~~

DIRT FLOOR Chris Whitley

There’s a dirt floor underneath here
To receive us when change has failed
May this shovel loose your trouble
Let them fall away

Now the mist shall be your blanket
While the moss shall ease your head
As the future is so forgotten
As the dirt shall be your bed

~~~

2005-09-03T14:15:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much to everyone for the kudos regarding "The Honey I Want", the song that I co-wrote with Liz Tansey and David Leask that won the Blues Category of the 2005 International Songwriting Competition (ISC). It also won the Blues Category of the Songs From the Heart Songwriting Contest sponsored by the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals.

Click here to give the song a listen!!

xox
suz

2005-03-26T03:52:00.000-05:00

New Orleans.

7:30am. Canal St., with Gwen and Ella picking up Paula, my little sister. Streets are crazy as there is a marathon taking place. It's grey and misty and nearly impossible to get to Paula as the streets are all closed off. Thank God for cellphones. We found her (yay!) - so sweet to see her as it's been a long time! We headed back to Gwen and Andy's place

Went off to jam at the Bank Street Cafe with Marc Adams (keys with Bryan Lee) and friends - caught a set, then got up for a few songs next set. Played some bass 'n sang...was fun. I've realized this trip that I don't play much blues anymore..I feel like I've forgotten how to jam! Or what to jam, maybe, as I never get to 'em anymore.

Just got back from Frenchman Street. It was late and a lot of the clubs would be shutting down, so I had to move fast - I think I heard 5 bands in the space of an hour. Wicked musicianship all around.
DBA had some crazy-ass band - all the players names, too many to remember - 2 saxophones (1 guy was a guest, I believe) - organ, bass and drums. The guys played Back in Black by AC/DC - one of the sax players played his sax through a distortion pedal...sounded just like Angus Young! Then they played a little Hendrix -reminded me of a cross between the Toronto bands The Sisters Euclid and the Shuffle Demons. Was brilliant - my favorite find on Frenchman Street. Then off to The Blue Nile - Fly Me to the Moon, trumpet and trombone. Then across the street at Brazil ??? - reggae. Beautiful latin rhythms - 8 piece band, people dancing. Then sleepytime...

2005-03-23T00:04:00.000-05:00

After breakfast Wednesday at the Delta Amusement Centre, I wandered through the Sweet Home Chicago exhibit at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale. There was so much fun stuff - the exhibit had some of the old amps, guitars, old clothing, AF of M union member listings, old recording gear, photographs, letters and postcards written by the artists. A couple things I found neat were the old plantation house that Muddy Waters grew up in, a letter from the Rolling Stones to Muddy Waters and a 1964 press release on the Rolling Stones who were big Muddy Waters fans. The press release also had a list of each of the band members favorite things - foods, hobbies among other things. Some I found amusing were as a teen Keith's favorite hobby was 'sleeping'; Mick enjoyed 'driving through the country alone', and 'girls'; Charlie also liked girls. Each band member also had huge aspirations - to have a #1 hit. After the museum, I checked out the Cat Head Delta Blues and Folk Art store then hit the Highway 322 north through the country, on my way to visit the gravesite of Mississippi Fred McDowell.

Will continue shortly...

2005-03-22T00:21:00.000-05:00

Got up the next morning, wandered over to the Blues Foundation office to meet Wesley Smith - Wesley is a contact of Dick Waterman's (who is a contact of Richard Flohil's - more on these fellows soon...). All these gentlemen have been tremendously helpful in connecting me with folks on this 'pilgrimmage'. Afterwards, I went for lunch, then made my way south down Highway 61 to Clarksdale.

The land around the highway reminded me a lot of driving through my home province, Saskatchewan - you can see as far as the eye will go across the farmer's fields. No crops up yet, and these crops aren't wheat like Saskatchewan...they're cotton.

Wrangled the Pinetop Perkins shack at the Shack Up Inn. The Shack Up Inn is a bunch of old sharecropper's cottages that were hauled to the Hopson Plantation land, just off of Highway 49, west of Highway 61. Pinetop's shack came complete with a piano, and a bunch of neat old pics of him. I believe he used to work years ago on the plantation before the help became mechanized.

I had spoken with Dick Waterman's friend Joni Mayberry a couple days earlier - we had a great chat about the south and some of the things I should expect - so far the term southern hospitality has wrung true - I've found most folks I've met to be extremely friendly and eager to help me out.

Joni works at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, and also at the commissary at the Hopson Plantation. Joni and I arranged to connect on Monday night at the Delta Amusement Blues Cafe, owned by a fellow named Bobby. Bobby is this gruff fellow whose voice sounds a little like a southern Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice. He likes to give everybody a hard time (but gives you a little wink while doing it). I guess it's another side of this southern hospitality...I wish I could remember half the things he said...southern sayings...had me laughing. Joni finally showed up with her bud, Toni and we ate the most incredible steak cooked by the Monday night cook, Michael, seasoned with a whack of delicious spices - the steak was tender and oh so tasty! One of the best I've ever eaten..

Afterwards Joni and I headed over to Toni's place, where the 2 of 'em told me about Jacqueline Nassar, Toni's daughter. Jacqueline is a 13 year old goth wunderkind - guitarist, vocalist, songwriter...huge talent, determined, focussed and sweet and humble.
Her Mom told me about her adventures in Los Angeles with Don Was, and another adventure with Morgan Freeman who is also a supporter of hers. He presented her the 2004 Robert Johnson Youth Achievement Award, a Gibson Robert Johnson L-1 guitar.

2005-03-21T00:31:00.000-05:00

I went to church on Sunday in Memphis - Reverend Al Green's church. Was the 3rd anniversary of my Mom's passing, and I thought it would be fitting to head to church to hear some gospel music; she used to love it when she got to hear it.

The church is located a little past Graceland, off Elvis Presley Blvd., down Hale Road - a very pretty tree-lined street. I felt like I was driving through the countryside in the middle of the city! Crept in the back of the church and sat alone as I was a little late (late night juke-jointin' will get you everytime..) - Tad and his crew were a bunch of rows over.
A choir member was singing "Let the Rain Fall Down" ever so sweetly. The band was cookin', was very moving.

A few more songs were song; then a woman named Shirley got up and welcomed all the visitors. Rev. Al got up shortly thereafter and asked each group of visitors where they were from; I think they should have renamed the church Reverend Al Green's International House of Prayer - there were folks from Germany, Japan, England, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Canada, and a bunch of visitors from around the States. I think there were as many visitors as there were parishioners! They invite all parishioners to walk to the front to donate their tithe; must have lasted 15 minutes. Al gave his sermon; was a lively and entertaining service; without getting into it, the sermon was a little harsh (ask me about it sometime if you wish), but I'm glad I attended.

After church I met up with Tad and crew at Gus's on Front near Beale for some delicious low-cal home cookin' (NOT!! farewell for a while, mon diet...at least while I'm in the south, y'all.).
Gus' is famous for its fried chicken...and fried chicken we had. Was very tasty...ended the meal with some deeelicious pecan pie. Headed to the hotel, the Talbot Heirs on 2nd - beautiful boutique hotel, ditched my gear and Tad drove me over to Sun Studios where I went on an incredible tour - I highly recommend it! Incredible history there - Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee, U2, B.B. King, among a bunch of others...I got shivers!

After the tour I went for a couple bevy's in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel, but the ducks from the fountain had already retired for the night...I kept my stir-stick with a duck on the top of it at least. Had a nap in my room, caught the Simpsons, the headed off to Wild Bills for a set. Another fun night in Memphis!

2005-03-20T03:43:00.000-05:00

Wow...what a journey so far.
Sitting here typing this blog, John Lee Hooker and Bonnie singing on the radio above my head. So cool.

I think I had to explain to about 10 American custom agents about my trip to New Orleans and the blues pilgrimmage. That I was taking a holiday. That I was going to eventually visit with my sister in New Orleans.
Oy vey.
Slept in Louisville, Kentucky last night. Thank God for chocolate keeping me alert and on the road!

I just got back from a wicked evening - toodled around Beale Street for a couple hours - ate some nummy ribs at The Pig (?) and listened to a blues band, then stopped into Big City Blues and listened to The Masqueraders - beautiful 4 part harmonies a'la Blind Boys/Holmes Brothers. Then went on an adventure with Tad Pierson of American Dream Safari - driving with his 3 friends from Kansas in his beautiful 55 caddy. Stopped for a moment by the Lorraine Motel, which is now the National Civil Rights Museum (sadly, where Martin Luther King was shot). Then we headed off to 2 off-the-beaten-track juke joints in Memphis - Wild Bill's and The Blue Worm. Wild Bill's was a tiny tiny spot jammed with a 100 guests and a 5 piece band - drums, guitar, keys, sax and bass...drummer sang. Tad introduced me to some of the band and we listened to them play the blues; I hung out near the front, the place was jammed with folks but they still managed to find room to dance. Place had a lot of character..small silver snowflakes hanging from the ceiling - beer advertisements with pics of bathing beauties behind the band, a shot of Joe Louis, too. Wildl Bill himself guarding the front door and collecting the cover. We caught some toonage then decided to head over to The Blue Worm. More music, more space, more dancers, a little less intimate but even managed to get up for the 2nd set and sing a song...(in a juke joint!...hee hee). Chatted with Betty, one of the owners, Lloyd the bartender and danced a wee bit. Was fun..

Gots to go to sleep now so I can hook up with Tad and crew be ready for Al Green's church in the morning.

Lovin' the adventures so far, and there's more to come...

xo
Suzie

2005-03-14T00:56:00.001-05:00

I am heading off to the States this Friday on a "blues pilgrimmage"...driving down through Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. Going to check out cotton fields, old blues haunts and the like...try and get a feel for where this music I've been playing for so long has come from. Going to connect with my sister in New Orleans; she's been working on a cruise ship since February and she docks there every Saturday so we'll get to visit for a few hours. I'm looking forward to it. I'll be back on the 31st...

2005-01-16T01:47:00.000-05:00

Me 'n Mr. Lightfoot, Toronto @ Hugh's Room, Jan. 14, 2005

2005-01-15T19:56:00.000-05:00

What an honour! I've been performing all week in the 3rd Annual Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Show organized by Aengus Finnan, Jory Nash and Rachel Barreca.

Gordon Lightfoot actually came to Friday night Hugh's Room show! I got to chat with him briefly; he asked me what songs I was singing; I replied "If You Could Read My Mind" and "I'd Do It Again". Then he started singing "I'd Do It Again"...we sang together for a verse...was fun!
I was so honored to meet him; what a spark he has!

Big thanks to Aengus, Jory and Rachel for having me along for the ride this year.
And thanks to the rest of the 'cast' involved: Dave Gunning, J.P. Cormier, Ian Tmblyn, Dave Matheson, Mike Ford, Brenley and Lisa from Madviolet, Jenny Whiteley, Joey Wright, Rick Fines, Justin Rutledge, Dan Kershaw, and the rockin' house band - Jason Fowler, Anne Lindsay, and David Woodhead. I loved getting to meet you and hearing y'all sing and play!

Thanks, Mr. Lightfoot, for writing some amazing tunes...

sv

2005-01-13T01:25:00.000-05:00

Hey,

My friend Liz just sent me a link for a video for Oreo Cookie Blues - it's fun!

cookie blues

I've been singing Oreo Cookie Blues since my late teens...

Cheers,

Suzie

2004-12-25T11:01:00.000-05:00

To y'all who pop in here from time to time, just wanted to say Merry Christmas and wish you all the best to you in the New Year!!!

Hugs,

Suzie

2004-11-18T14:29:00.000-05:00

Greetings!

Hope this note finds you well!

I've got a little bit of fun news:

- I'm excited to say I was again nominated as the Canadian Maple Blues Female Vocalist of the Year for the 8th Annual National Mapleblues Awards! If you'd like to vote, all you need do is visit www.mapleblues.ca, click "register to vote", and take it from there..

- I landed a couple of television jingles - one for Tetley Tea (I don't sing any words, but am vocalizing in the background), and another for Tim Horton's - the ad is 2 women in a car talking about dancing lessons while some sort of samba music plays in the background..then you hear me sing.."always fresh at Tim Horton's...".
I've just heard the Tim Horton's commercial will be airing come the New Year...it's apparently got a New Year's resolution theme.

- I just finished a week of teaching "Blues in the Schools" to 40 grade 11 students - 20 band students, and 20 vocal students. Taught them a bit about the history of the blues, and then had 'em write their own blues songs! Was fun...

Other business - I've got a number of shows coming up in the next few weeks that I wanted to let you know about:

(and I know, I'm bad and should've given you more warning on this first one...)

Tonight! - Thursday, November 18, 2004, C'est What, Toronto, ON

I know it's a school night, however, my trio, Vinnick Sheppard Harte are performing at the 'new' C'est What, 67 Front Street East; the Echo Hunters from Montreal are opening!
Show starts at 9:30pm; VSH is on at 10:15pm for an hour - y'all can be home and in bed by midnight!

Saturday November 27, 2004, Massey Hall, Toronto, ON

I'll be playing bass for the Women's Blues Revue at Massey Hall in Toronto! Singers involved this year include Jackie Richardson, Sue Foley, Serena Ryder, Ndidi Onukwulu, Rita Chiarelli and Dawn Tyler Watson. I'll be singing one song to start the night off...

Please click here for more info/tickets: http://www.masseyhall.com/home.cfm

Wednesday, December 1, 2004, Tranzac Club, Toronto, ON

I'll be performing acoustically with guitarist Justin Haynes at the Tranzac from 10pm until midnight.

I'll leave y'all with that for now...hope to see you at a show.
Thanks for reading!

Cheers,

Suzie V.
http://www.suzievinnick.com/

2004-10-12T15:16:00.000-04:00

Great article about Tom Waits:

http://www.ottawaxpress.ca/music/music.aspx?iIDArticle=4401

2004-09-06T13:30:00.000-04:00

DJ's Enji-B & Osh-J eatin' s'cream

I was away yesterday hanging with the nephews, DJ Enji B and DJ Osh-J.
Hotel-room Wrestlemania at the Westin with team Auntie Chi Chi and tag team Big Bad Benj and Gigantic Josh. Kidlets flipping and flying onto a pile of pillows on the bed amidst the sound of much laughter and taunts.
Then a hotelroom picnic from the Marche with Mom Coco and crew.
Then sleepytime story and a song.
So much soul-satisfying fun for this Auntie.
Love those little guys soo much...

2004-08-21T01:12:00.000-04:00

I've added some new fun to the fun section on my webpage, courtesy of my buddy Julio - check it out!

www.suzievinnick.com/fun.html

sv

2004-07-07T22:35:00.000-04:00

Getting ready to head off to the Winnipeg Folk Festival..I'm very excited - going to connect with some ol' pals, and hopefully make a few new ones. I'm then off to Mont Tremblant Blues Festival to play bass with Andy J. Forest from New Orleans - it's gonna be some fun! I'll post a pic or 2 upon my return...

2004-06-22T14:31:00.000-04:00

On the gazebo at Paddy's Lake (photo by Paul McKay)

2004-06-21T16:20:00.000-04:00

VSH in Huntsville!

Played for the Huntsville Folk Society in Huntsville on Friday with Vinnick Sheppard Harte (VSH) - big thanks to Dave & Myrna and crew for having us, and to all that came out to the show! Next day I drove through incredibly beautiful lake-country to Belleville for a gig with Betty & the Bob's on Saturday night at the prestigious Belleville Club. On the break we played a crazy wacky version of ping-pong on the break with all the Betty & the Bob's including wee-Betty, Haley Greenspoon. Then awoke Sunday morning, heading through more countryside and a gig in a gazebo overlooking Paddy Lake - big thanks to Paul McKay for putting the show together. A weekend of much sunshine, toonage and fun!

2004-06-21T02:13:00.000-04:00

Tonight's posting is courtesy of several members of the Oakmount Enclave.

My goodness.

It's been sometime since I've been here. Sorry.

Got back tonight from a weekend away of gigs (will report on them shortly) to a group of folks enjoying an illegal blazing bonfire, celebrating summer solstice in the backyard of the Oakmount Enclave.

Now, there were no marshmallows in sight - not good for an backyard bonfire. I ventured off to the neighborhood 7-11 to bring some back to the fire - found 2 bags on the shelf and proceeded to the cash. In line behind me was a 5'2", 20-something year old with teeny-tiny pupils, attempting to scan himself with the clerk's scanner. I smiled at him and said "dude...did you scan?". He smiled back and laughed, asked what I was up to tonight ('or something to that effect); I was going to say, "dude, me and my homies are kicking back with the 'mallows at the enclave" but decided against it. I paid for the 'mallows', he said see you again sometime. Off I went.

Anyhow, back to the enclave, armed with multiple bags of marshmallows. Found some good sticks, sharpened 'em up and we all started roasting the 'mallows over the fire. Noted that we'd never before sat at a bonfire with a subway rumbling below. Ate a couple more marshmallows then discovered what a fun noise they make when they smack off of Jorge's forehead (uncooked, of course). 2 empty 'mallow bags, many 'mallows later, much laughter resounded in the enclave.

Stu showed us how he can illuminate the entire 20 story apartment building next to the enclave with his 5 billion watt industrial strength flashlight. Trevor Mills created an amazing gigantic bunny-rabbit shadow puppet-show on the apartment building with his hands - we suspect that many of the residents will be having nightmares tonight.

After much merriment and hilarity, the fire burned down, and the enclave disbursed.

Today we awoke to a yard full of misdirected marshmallows, and a firepit in the middle of the driveway.

THE END

2004-05-24T01:32:00.000-04:00

Off the beautiful island. Slowly.

Back to the mainland.

Sigh.

Hornby Island. One of the sweetest places I've ever travelled to, filled with some amazing folks.

There are other islands to be visited, but not before I reach a bit more inland..Penticton on Tuesday.

I will post pics soon.

sv

2004-05-11T19:39:00.000-04:00

Check out:

Exploding Dog

Talk soon...

Suzie

2004-05-07T17:47:00.000-04:00

Greetings!!

I've received a couple of emails from you because I have not blogged...I see that it's been a month since my webdude, Steve (thanks Steve!) got me up and running.
I apologize for letting you down - you know me - scattered and constantly running around chasing my tail - keeps me busy. Anyhow, to appease the masses (you 2 know who you are) here I am with a new blog to say 'hey'.

It's a sunny Friday afternoon - I just went for a nice walk in High Park, then had a little nap by Grenadier Pond, sun beating down on me. A curious white swam floated right up to me and stopped to check if I had any food. Neat little surprise to wake up to.

Please come see Betty & the Bobs (www.bettyandthebobs.com) this Saturday night in Brooklin if you can - it's gonna be a fun night of music and laughs! I'll be debuting a new song I co-wrote with the fabulous Liz Tansey (www.liztansey.com) and the fabulous David Leask (www.davidleask.com) entitled "The Honey I Want". We started the song at the Flying Saucer Pub in Nashville just after we finished our lunch and were savouring one (>just one<) of the pub's hundred's of fine brews; I think it was practical use of time...we got a new song out of it!!

Anyhow, here are the details for Saturday's show:

Sat. May 8, 2004 - 8:00 pm
Brooklin Community Centre
45 Cassels Road
Brooklin, ON

I'll be back again sooner than later, masses!!!
Have a great one..

sv