The newest of the Northwest Blues Divas, Nicole Fourier, has captured fans with her sizzling guitar work and heartfelt, yet gutsy, vocals. In 1996 she was bestowed the coveted Summy Award as Tacoma's Blueswoman of the Year. Fournier's self produced first effort, From The Beginning, was nominated as Best Northwest Recording in 1999 by the Washington Blues Society. Her latest effort, Not Forgotten, successfully combines elements of blues, funk, jazz, and even folk, assembling a recording which is vast and diverse.
Nicole Fournier has been performing up and down the west coast for a number of years in clubs, festivals, and concert venues. Originally from San Francisco, Nicole began playing the blues after sitting in on a jam session with Bay Area musician Johny Nitro. While she was nominated in 1992 for Best Female Vocalist for the Bay Area Blues Awards, it was the meeting and jamming with Keith Richards who encouraged the young guitarist to pursue her career. Soon Nicole found herself sharing the stage with the likes of John Lee Hooker and Deacon Jones and opening for such performers as Elvin Bishop and Joe Louis Walker. She was introduced to Seattle when John Lee Hooker invited her to sit in at a sold out show at the Moore Theatre.
Produced with the help of trombone virtuoso and 2002 Washington Blues Society's 'Hall Of Fame' recipient, Randy Oxford, and keyboardist Ric Ulsky, Not Forgotten is not your usual blues recording. As on her first release, Nicole takes the listener on an emotional and personal journey with all original material. The singer also shares her political views on prisoners and causalities of war with the title track and shows her patriotism on 'Big Something'. While the majority of the disc is horn driven blues, there are some organic moments. On one of two acoustic cuts, 'My Bones' features the violin and spoons giving the tune a Celtic vibe. With a Joan Baez approach to song writing, 'Reach Out', has a timeless message of helping the less fortunate. On the poignant track 'Old Man On The Corner' Nicole shares her feelings on the plight of the homeless in America. The funk driven 'Self Respectin Woman' has a sense of self reliance, whereas 'Maybe Someday' Fournier shows us her vulnerable side.
With her unique approach to music and writing, Nicole Fournier successfully combines genres for an eclectic and rewarding recording.
http://www.nicoleblues.com/
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