Author: DJ Frank

Two of my favorite singer/songwriters are an integral part of the Burlington VT music scene. Mary McGinniss, an accomplished guitarist, bassist and mandolin player, released her debut CD “Places In Between” in 2005.

It’s a wonderful collection of original songs that lyrically bring alive the people, places, and their stories: i.e. “The Ballad of Mary Fields” (1832-1914 – A black cowgirl who made a life of crossing boundaries) and “Cedar Tree” (Inspired by Kateri Tekawithe 1656-1680 – A Mohawk Algonquin woman from Quebec).

Track listing:

Oh My Heart

Cedar Tree

Dark Beauty

Someone’s Leaving

Emily & Katie

Rhythm of Life

Wild Geese

The Ballad of Mary Fields

When Blossoms Talk

Just What You’re Looking For

 

My personal favorite cuts are Oh My Heart, Emily & Katie, and Rhythm of Life.

 

Juliet McVicker, a versatile musician on guitar, bass or harmonium, is a fine jazz vocalist, performing with both Pine Street Jazz – an instrumental sextet and as one third of The Blue Gardenias, a jazz vocal trio.

 

 

 

Juliet also has released a terrific CD, “The Blue of Night”  - the title cut is an original composition -  and the album features three Richard Rodgers tunes. She lists Billie Holiday, Blossom Dearie and Julie London as influences. 

 

 

Track listing:

The Blue of Night

Baby, Baby All The Time

I Wish I Knew

You’re My Thrill

It Never Entered My Mind

Surrey With The Fringe On Top

My Funny Valentine

Under A Blanket of Blue

Beautiful Love

 

Her renditions of You’re My Thrill, Surrey With The Fringe On Top, and The Blue of Night are cuts I listen to often.

 

These two fantastic performers often provide harmony vocals for each other, and, just for fun, Mary and Juliet occasionally perform as The Magnolias, joined by “Handsome” Mark Ransom and Rose Lucas, singing vintage country and rock ‘n roll while specializing in three part harmonies.

 

These lovely and talented women are perhaps the Green Mountains’ best kept musical secrets.  (Only Burlington’s winged monkeys know for sure.) They’re people you just want to hang out with and enjoy their music.

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