A canopy of butterflies hovered over the audience at the Gallery’s presentation of Saskatchewan musical artists Munro and Patrick on Saturday, adding to the warmth and excitement of the show. The display from the current exhibition was the perfect addition to the energy of the talented duo’s music.
Armed with a catalog of self-penned tunes from their recent album and a thoughtfully curated collection of cover tunes, Munro and Patrick delighted the audience with their two sets and an encore. Their opener, “Keep on Growing” introduced Scott Patrick’s smooth and smoky voice, along with his exceptional acoustic guitar work.
The pretty romantic ballad “August Moon,” with a distinct ‘70’s vibe, highlighted the command of Heidi Munro’s voice, as a clear and powerful presence.
The pair began writing songs together in 2018 and spoke throughout the show about their approach and the challenges they’ve encountered in crafting songs that appeal to a wide range of listeners. Patrick was the principal songwriter for noted country-rock band Wyatt, and he and Munro have honed their skills to journeyman status with tunes like “If I Stand Too Close” and the playful blues inflected “Truth or Dare.”
Their cover choices ranged from country standards including Merle Haggard’s “That’s the Way Love Goes” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night” by Kris Kristofferson to the pop staple “Drift Away” and a gorgeous turn at John Waite’s ‘80s heartbreaker “I Ain’t Missing You.”
Taking turns at lead vocals, the performers’ voices intertwined seamlessly and intersected in beautiful harmonies, weaving a tapestry of tunes both new and familiar. Sing-alongs and spontaneous clapping choruses were the order of the evening.
Their homage to Canadian music included an audience sing-along of Kenny Shields’ “What Kind of Love is This” and a pair of songs from folk festival workshops, Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock” and Lightfoot’s “Carefree Highway.” The audience rocked and rollicked along right to the encore with the beloved John Prine opus “Angel from Montgomery.”
The pair continues its trek across the province with a final show scheduled for Saturday, January 18 at the Wadena Community Hall. Munro and Patrick are a delightful, high-energy musical force that the audience in Wadena will take to immediately on Saturday night.