Sue Fink, often accompanied by extremely talented friends.
Here are some of the wonderful musicians joined me on my last two CDs, "Thoughts at an Intersection" and "Damsel in Distress" (some on one or the other, some on both): Jenny Bienemann, Sue Demel,* Deb Lader,* harmonies; Bob Long and Jessica Fogle, keyboards; Michael Miles, banjo; Kathryn Lake, violin; Tony Dale and Jim Hines, percussion; John Abbey, Al Ehrich, Larry Kohut, & Bob Lizik, bass; Meg Lauterbach, cello; Michael B. Favreau, clarinet; Jeff Frankel, Steve Joyner, & Noah Zacharin, guitars. Bruce Roper* & Jeff Frankel engineered & mixed.
*Sue, Deb, and Bruce together make up the fabulous Sons of the Never Wrong.
At my "Damsel" CD release (Schubas, 2006), Sue, Jenny, Deb, Steve, Kathryn, and Al joined me, along with Jessica Fogle (keyboard) and Rick Vitek (percussion).
How lucky can a girl get?!
Influences
ABSOLUTE FAVORITE: Bruce Springsteen, esp. early Springsteen. His power as a poet, his passion as a songwriter and performer, have never been equaled, in my book.
*Springsteen, Rickie Lee Jones, and Tom Waits each create worlds populated with their own characters and vulnerabilities and truths, and for this I could not live without them. Patty Griffin does something similar, I think.
*Melanie, whose "Gather Me" album is still one of my top ten: she's strong and vulnerable and honest and funny and serious. *Christine Lavin -- she is an amazing performer, a wonderful songwriter, and a generous person -- I admire her greatly.
*Townes Van Zandt. Bob Dylan, of course. Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Joan Baez. Leonard Cohen; Nick Drake. Elton John (esp. early). Dan Fogelberg. Neil Young. CSNY. Simon & Garfunkel.
NEWER INFLUENCES: These are people whose music I admire, and who have taken the time to encourage me in one way or another, which makes me feel, again, very fortunate:
*Andrew Calhoun, whose songwriting classes were VERY inspiring: his poetry and songs are gifts. Sons of the Never Wrong. Nancy Walker (formerly of Sons). Chuck Cheesman. Noah Zazharin. Jeanne T. Arrigo, Steve Joyner, Dale Petersohn, Terry MacNamara, Cat Catalani. James Curley. Jenny Bienemann, who is a musical pioneer with her new work with the looper... All of these people are out there, sharing their gifts and their kindness and making the world a better place... Rachel Ries. Justin Roth. I know I'm forgetting people... Everyone who encourages me and gives me good advice.
Greenpeace Birdie, 1985-2002, who was the smartest bird I've ever known -- his influence is in almost every song I've written... and so it goes.
Sounds Like
... maybe a little Rickie Lee, Melanie, Christine Lavin... a combination of attributes, I think. If I were a rocker, I'd hope to be compared to Amy Rigby: intelligent lyrics, funny, vulnerable but with attitude.
Sue Fink is a somewhat quirky singer/songwriter who has been compared to Christine Lavin (in fact, she has a bit part on Christine's "Folk Zinger" CD). Richard Milne of 93.1 WXRT selected her song, "Saga of Pearl (It's Not You)," as one of his Top Songs of the Year (2006) for his "Local Anesthetic" show (http://93xrt.com/pages/185104.php). Sue has also received airplay on Rich Warren's "Midnight Special" show on WFMT, and other stations as well. Sue mostly performs in coffee houses around the Chicago area, such as the wonderful Uncommon Ground, and is starting to branch out a bit. Her "Damsel In Distress" CD was released at Schubas in 2006. You can hear Sue discuss her songwriting process and play several songs live on the Chicago Songwriters Podcast, at http://www.chicagosongwriterpodcast.podomatic.com/
Listen to MORE tunes, or purchase Sue's CDs by clicking on the pictures below:
Sue, sorry for the belated response!! I have been mind numbingly busy. Yes, what a wonderful show! You sounded terrific and I had a blast. Take care & we'll talk soon!
Sue - great show last night! Sorry I had to slip out near the end, and I didn't even have a chance to get a CD! Next time. New songs sound just wonderful! What a nifty way to celebrate your birthday. You missed a good one Dave!
Dang it, Sue. I was working my day around making it to your show tonight, but let me say that the universe did not seem to be on the side of my plans. I hope the show was a blast. Let me also say that _Damsel_ has brought me many thoughtful smiles since I got it. I look forward to hearing the new release.
Thank you for your Ultra Wonderful comments. How did I find you? I searched for "Ultra musician/Ultra nice" on Ultrasearch (TM), and your name was number one.
Damsel in Distress? I will send my UltraKnights to rescue thee, anon.
Hey there my friend - Congrats on the new CD being done and out!! Can't wait to hear it. Planning to be at Bill's next Sunday, barring any last minute kidlet melt-down. Looking forward to it!
Hi Sue Everything is great out here in Portland! Working on my CD to be out end of summer, doing shows, doing music therapy....yadda yadda...I am very blessed to be doing what I love, and I am grateful to be kept busy. I am looking forward to hearing your finished CD and will keep my eye out...! Take care PJ:)
I do enjoy your tunes. In fact, I was surprised by how young and fresh your voice sounds. Good things happening there. Thanks for the words of encouragement, I'll see you around town sometime soon, I'm sure.
hahaha! i like how you play with cut and dry opinions. i would never expect such a damsel looking woman to make so much fun out of herself. thanx! orna
Hello My new friend !<br />Thanks a lot for your kind comment !<br />Your songs are sincerly good and I really like it !<br />keep it up my friend and fly to great success ,cause you have talent !<br />Sunny hugs from french riviera !<br />Kennie
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