Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
August-September 2008
 Barrel Racing Angel
Suzanne Depaoli
Suzanne Depaoli’s debut CD, Barrel Racing Angel, delivers 10 great songs – nine originals and an up-tempo swing version of Home on the Range. It would be hard to resist grabbing your partner and dancing across the floor when this one comes on.
When I did an Internet search of Suzanne’s name, there wasn’t much info about her music, but there was an item about Suzanne missing out on winning a $50,000 barrel-racing payday by two one-hundredths of a second! Make no mistake, this ranch wife, mother, world-class barrel racer and former Calgary Stampede Queen can write and sing.
Her bright, upbeat songs reflect her family roots on the Buffalo Head Ranch near Longview, Alta. The first track I selected for the Spirit of the West play list was Feed the Good Dog. A positive message runs through the entire CD with subject matter ranging from strong family values to ranch and rodeo traditions.
The CD boasts a little more production than most pure western releases, but the arrangements really work. Three elements that pleased my ears are Suzanne’s voice, the fine fiddle of one of the masters, Myron Szott and the beautiful vocal harmonies provided by Laurel Black. The project was produced and engineered by Dwain Sands, who also had a hand in the songwriting.
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