Archive: Arts & Entertainment

Warmth, vitality, and spontaneity mark the performances of Susie Burke and David Surette, and have earned them a reputation as one of the finest acts on the lively New England folk scene. Susie's beautiful, complex voice and David's graceful, nimble-fingered string playing combine with extraordinary results on their own blend of contemporary, traditional, and original folk and acoustic music. Together since 1988, Susie and David have built a loyal following for their music, through a steady series of concerts and well-received recordings; their new duo recording, Waiting For The Sun, was released in the fall of 2015.  They will perform at The Canaan Institute February 10th at 7pm.

Mostly original songs, as well as material from some stellar songwriters, this diverse and distinctive collection of folk, blues, ballads and American roots music finds the duo in top form. Susie's rich, evocative voice has never sounded better, and is ably supported by David's sparkling touch on the guitar and mandolin. The opening track, "Give Me Some Hope", is an original blues number from Susie that kicks off with David's rootsy guitar playing, and takes off from there. Three tracks (two of Susie's songs and one by John Mayer) feature the fabulous harmony vocals ofSusie and David's daughters, Isa and Julianna Burke. Isa also plays some rollicking fiddle on "April With the Flying Bow", Susie's ode to music and the passing on of tradition. Some of New England's finest talent joins in on both electric and upright bass (Kent Allyn, Steve Roy), drums (PJ Donahue), and pedal steel (Bruce Derr), adding their remarkable gifts to the project.

Songs of hope (Pete Morton's "Another Train", Susie's "Time Marches On"), love that lasts (David's "Give Me One More Day", O'Brien and Alger's "Like I Used To Do"), ambivalence about new love (Susie's "I Don't Want To Love You"), the power of music (Jesse Winchester's "I Turn To My Guitar", "April...") and more are here, including several numbers that concert-goers have often requested.

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