The CD launch concert of Halfmoon Bay vocalist Trudi Diening, One With You, got off to a late start on Saturday night, July 18.
A full house waited patiently in the sweltering heat of St. John's United Church until the show finally kicked off with only two musicians on stage and the promise of a bass solo from a third.
Fortunately they turned out to be three excellent musicians: Brett Wade on guitar and vocals, gregarious Tony Chamberlist on percussion and Kerry Galloway on bass. Then a local versatile performer, Graham Ord, joined the group with his sax, followed by the multi-talented Miles Black. The Juno-nominated Vancouver musician is a pianist, guitarist and gifted arranger who has worked with a string of musical greats. He collaborated with Diening on the 13 original songs on this new CD.
"I came with the words," Diening said. "He pays attention to the notes."
Black began the concert on the piano with an original composition he wrote in honour of Canada Day. Then, in an unexpected and pleasant twist, Diening kicked off her shoes and sat informally at the front of the stage along with Black while the two performed together on their dulcimers with band accompaniment.
But it was Diening's vocals that the audience came to hear.
One With You was recorded live at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt last November, and the title song is a bluesy number. It's about approaching 50 years of age, Diening told the crowd, and looking back on her original hopes. Did she follow through on any of them?
The genre of music is difficult to define. Her CD is a little eclectic, she notes. "It was my primer, my first foray," she said.
Diening sings about emotional moments of the heart during songs dedicated to her husband and to her daughter. One tune, Lady of the Forest, told a story. It was about Rhody Lake, the woman who disappeared a few years ago and was last seen on one of her forest hikes. Some songs, such as I'll Follow You with its piano intro, were slow and gentle; others were jazzy and upbeat.
Diening is happy with the result, but nonetheless is already working with Black on a follow up -this time using piano, bass and voice only.
One With You is for sale for $20 at Beauchamps in Molly's Lane in Gibsons, Fresh in Sechelt and at Motoko's art gallery in Pender Harbour.
