If your musical pastime is discovering great artists who don’t receive much commercial airplay, then meet three stellar musicians who write powerful songs and perform with commanding voices.
Two acclaimed Canadian musicians, Charlie A’Court and Suzie Vinnick, along with Australia’s blues legend Lloyd Spiegel, have performed with each other for more than a decade. But during the pandemic, they reached into their bag of tricks and recorded their first album as a trio.
Their dazzling collaboration of roots and blues self-titled as A’Court, Spiegel and Vinnick is the driving force behind the International Roots ‘n’ Blues Kitchen Party Tour. As part of the tour’s western leg, the trifecta now at the top of their game, performs at the Arden Theatre on Saturday, April 8.
During COVID, the threesome extended their isolation, but spent numerous hours on Zoom talking, sharing, telling stories and planning a 10-track.
“But after not doing what we were meant to do for three years, we got back on the road solo. After we recorded the songs and after all that isolation, we didn't want to tour by ourselves. We thought what better way than to get together with friends,” said A’Court.
During the recording process, they attempted to create a musical experience as if they were face-to-face. But there were a few challenges.
“The time zones between me and Lloyd in Melbourne was a 14-hour difference. When one was day, the other was night. Even doing interviews could be tricky. On the recording level it was always hurry up and wait.”
Fortunately, Google drop box allowed the trio to accomplish their goals in trading recordings back and forth at a reasonable pace.
“Working with Suzie and Lloyd was fairly easy. They had an infrastructure in place. They have engineers they’ve been working with for years and were able to get assistance.”
The biggest connection the trifecta has is the profound influence of roots and blues on their lives.
“We all walk that path. We speak a different dialect, but it’s the same language. Our music is a confluence of different languages.”
A’Court views his partners as powerful creative forces within their field.
“Roots and blues in Australia is second to none. There’s an authenticity and respect for the traditions and an evolving artist like Lloyd plays at the international level. And Suzie is quite possibly the most decorated Maple Blues Award winner in the country. She’s won many awards and they are a testament to her creativity and ingenuity.”
“And I offer traditional roots and blues, but with something more contemporary. What I do becomes a cauldron of synergy, a tapestry of roots and blues across the spectrum.”
On behalf of his collaborators, A'Court promises to deliver a warm and lively evening full of joy.
“It means so much to us to be on stage and deliver stories in a way that is authentic and straight from the heart. We’re rebounding from the past few years of isolation. We often travel far from home, but whenever we come to Alberta we are always welcomed. To bring the show with Suzie and Lloyd is an honour for me. We are not taking this tour for granted. We are truly humbled."
The concert starts April 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Arden Theatre, 5 St. Anne Street. Tickets are $39 and are available at https://stalbert.ca/exp/arden/events/ or by calling 780-459-1542.
