Home Feature Rick Fines has recorded a second album using solar power

Rick Fines has recorded a second album using solar power

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Photo by Wayne Eardley

Canadian roots music hero Rick Fines crafts a unique blend of warm-hearted blues, juke joint folk, and dockside soul that both embraces and defies the genres that influence him.

He first gained attention as part of the legendary Jackson Delta, and he’s since released four solo albums, another with his own Rick Fines trio, and a critically acclaimed disc with fellow troubadour, Suzie Vinnick.

For his newest release, Solar Powered Too, the bulk of the songs were recorded in a little gazebo in the North Kawartha woods, with solar power. You can hear the crickets and cicadas if you listen carefully.

“After spending a lot of my time playing on my National steel, I knew I wanted to make another album for guitar and voice, only this time it would be mostly slide guitar on a steel bodied guitar”, he said. “I decided I wanted to return to my little cabin in the Kawartha Highlands and record again with the modest solar powered setup there: two panels and four golf cart batteries.”

The seclusion of the recording process has paid off immensely – bringing to life the honesty of his lyrics and accessibility of his music.

With 11 originals and co-writes and one cover of a Jesse Winchester song (“That’s What Makes You Strong”), Solar Powered Too is a powerful release, ripe with vivid images of sorrow, optimism, and the complexities of life.

Featuring appearances from other respected Canadian artists such as Alec Fraser, Gary Craig, Roly Platt, Melissa Payne, Jimmy Bowskill, Rob Phillips, Suzie Vinnick, Stacie Tabb, Sherie Marshall and Samantha Martin, Solar Powered Too is Rick Fines’ most accomplished album to date.

“Releasing an album during a pandemic, when all my gigs are cancelled is a little strange“, he said. “But this album was made with the help of my friends, and it carries that strength on its journey.”

Rick Fines – “Below the Surface”

 

Rick Fines – “Live Forever”

 

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