Live at the Harvest
Rick Fines and Friends
Independent
2000
12 tracks
You start listening to the first song in the set and you start thinking. You think this singer can't be some white boy from Canada. You think this has to be one of those accomplished old-time bluesmen from deep in the American south. Has to be. Hey, I've met the man and even I was starting to think that way. "Just Got Back" is just that authentic, just that flawlessly performed and true to the genre. It's the sort of performance that can leave a listener disappointed with almost anything that follows.
"Just Got Back" is a cool, laid back jazzy blues with just the right amount of swing rhythm added to the mix. Reminiscent of early Louis Armstrong and other throaty blues singers, Fines' vocal carries the casual listener off to a steamy Fifties south, perhaps Louisiana, that may only exist in the movies. This song is all about mood and ambience. Shut your eyes and you feel yourself drawn into the movie.
Although the first song has set a high standard, the rest of the set rises to the occasion and even the most discriminating listener is unlikely to be disappointed. Fines has the good fortune to have some of Canada's finest instrumentalists and vocalists working with him during this live concert. Given his talent and theirs, it would take a supreme effort to have this music turn out bad. While it might be easy for such an aggregation of talent to just slide, these musicians have clearly presented their very best work, creating a wonderfully crafted set of blues music.
A pleasant surprise is that there are also vocals by two of Canada's most accomplished female artists, Suzie Vinnick and Georgette Fry, adding another level of diversity to this performance.
"Make Me A Pallet On The Floor" features performances by both Fines and Fry, each singing about half the time. Fry's performance here justifies the acclaim she receives from fans and critics wherever she performs. Here is a heartfelt, personal interpretation of this song that provides a perfect complement to Fines' own excellent performance.
Vinnick brings a sultry "Summertime" mood to the slow, evocative "He'll Never Know." The song is filled with depth and emotion largely defined by Vinnick's interpretation of the lyrics enhanced by Chris Whiteley's soulful cornet. Again, a listener can be drawn to a moody misty morning in some mythical weeping willowed deep south. This is a beautiful song presented beautifully.
"Six Doors Down" is another blues song with a traditional feel. It's a jumpy little number underlined by bright guitar lines, sharp edged drum licks and lively piano fill. Here's a song that just can't help but move forward and take the listener along for the ride.
On the other hand, "Little Sister's Gonna Be Alright" is a lively rock and roll number with the sort of cool groove that evokes music coming out of Louisiana some forty years ago. This little rocker is straight out of the blues-based rockabilly songbook. Artists like Chuck Berry come to mind. I defy anyone to listen to this one without at least tapping a toe or two.
In fact, every song on this release is made for dancing, with solid rhythm and palpable energy. It's hard to imagine any audience sitting still while these songs are being played.
Another song that bops with the best of them is "I'm in the mood," featuring a steady blues beat, solid rhythm, and some exceptional guitar work by Fines. This song moves at a pace that encourages the fast jive crowd but is just slow enough to allow those so inclined to dance up close and personal. It would have been very popular at a high school hop when I was at school way back when.
If any song on Live at the Harvest seems weaker than the others, it's the final track. Musically, the performance of this "Gospel Medley" is competent. The guitar is bright and the harp (blues, not the other kind) punches it up in places. However, Fines' vocal feels unconvinced and is therefore unconvincing. He sings the words and he hits all the right notes, but the performance feels emotionally flat. I think of gospel performances I've heard by country artists like Doc Watson or Hank Williams and I find a certain energy missing here. It may be that this impression is created or at least reinforced by the musical mix. The background vocals, instead of swelling up behind, are barely heard, as is much of the instrumentation. There's hand clapping too, but it takes a while to realize it's even there. I'd like to hear this done with the background levels raised and Fines putting more feeling into the words. It could really be something.For the most part, the music on Live at the Harvest is well-crafted traditional blues with an occasional touch of something else thrown in for spice. It makes for enjoyable listening and, if you like, should make for lively dancing as well. This traditional approach is a refreshing break from the rock and roll style blues played by many Canadian bands.
Rick Fines and Friends Live at theHarvest should be a welcome addition to any collection of folk and traditional music by Canadian artists. It both continues in a long tradition of folk music in Canada and represents the best of today's independent artists.
For more information on the music of Rick Fines, nominee for and winner of several important Canadian music awards, you can check out his roots and blues website.
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Review written: January 26, 2004
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