Given my recent hectic travel schedule, it has been nearly impossible for me to get out to see any blues shows here in the Twin Cities. While I have been able to see some great music out-of-town, there's nothing like being able to take in some great blues close to home. On Thursday night, I was not only able to finally see a show in the Twin Cities, I even got to visit a new blues venue, the Triangle Bar in Vadnais Heights.
For anyone who has never been there, the Triangle is nicely tucked away at the end of a dead end street, just blocks off of County Road E and I-35E in Vadnais Height, a St. Paul suburb. The Triangle is a cozy neighborhood bar where the patrons all seem to know each other well. However, the secluded location also adds considerably to the distinct roadhouse feel I got as I entered the bar on Thursday evening. Despite the fact that Rusty Zinn's appearance at the Triangle was not heavily advertised, the bar seemed to have a good crowd for a Thursday evening.
Rusty's excellent west coast-style guitar and vocals were aptly supported by Dave Gorgeous or keyboards and drummer Richard Innes. Zinn's performance included a number of songs from his Alligator Records debut, The Chill, along with music from his previous solo releases, Confessin' and Sittin' and Waitin'. For good measure, Zinn threw in some nice instrumentals and covers of songs by such luminaries as T- Bone Walker.
Rusty Zinn's progression as a musician, beginning as a backing guitarist for people like Kim Wilson and Mark Hummel, to becoming the leader of his own band has been accompanied by a strengthen and maturation of both his vocal and guitar styles. Frommy point of view, Zinn has matured tremendously since I last saw him in Phoenix, Arizona less than two years ago, making his appearance at the Triangle even more entertaining.
To sum it all up, it was a great night at a great bar with lots of fine fine music from Rusty Zinn. You definitely could not ask for much better on a Thursday night, or any other night for that matter!
This review is copyright © 2001 by Dave "Doc" Piltz, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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