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INUVIK - From the get-go this playful, nationally-acclaimed blues man wasn't just interested in showering the Curling Lounge audience with his considerable musical talents on Wednesday night.

It was more of an endless conversation mixed with an exhaustive play list, showcasing a rare musical range. And the intimate crowd got more than its money's worth.

Nationally-acclaimed blues man Rick Fines shared skillfully-crafted songs and conversation with the Curling Lounge audience on Wednesday. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photos

Armed with his prized homemade maple Parlor Guitar, Rick Fines weaved some of his wildly creative songs, such as the International Songwriting Competition award winner Riley Wants His Life Back into detailed monologues on everything from explaining why he left Toronto for the quiet cottage life, to his love of the North, his wife and Gordon Lightfoot. In fact, he treated the several Lightfoot lovers in attendance with a few stylish, soulful covers of the legend.

A generous entertainer, he switched easily from a natural picking style to slide guitar solos. As he sailed into his second hour of entertainment, most, especially Fines who wore no watch, cared little about the broken clock on the wall.

Equally fond of the ballads, he played several soulful crowd pleasers, including Country Christmas Blues.

"I'm here with no money and I'm here without you, lost in this big city I got the Country Christmas Blues."

With such a warm and easy disposition, it wasn't a surprise to learn he was also here to mix it up with the kids. The next morning, before heading home to Peterborough, Ont., he visited the elementary school to sing a few tunes and share some songwriting tips with the students.

His visit here was part of a Northern Arts and Culture Centre-sponsored tour that included stops in Fort Good Hope, Hay River and Yellowknife, playing concerts and sharing his talent with elementary school youngsters along the way.

Brian Terry, a local resident and amateur saxophone player, said he felt privileged to have a musician of Fines' calibre come and play in the community.

"Anybody that has aspirations about music just absorbs this kind of stuff," he said. "We're getting talent like this right in our lap. I tell you, I didn't get this in the little town in B.C. where I came from. And he's personable. You can talk to him and shake his hand."

It's been 18 years since Fines last visited the North. He said he had been meaning to make the journey earlier, but added the wait was worth it.

"It's been great, and it's really Canada here," he said. "Cities are cities everywhere and when you get into smaller communities you meet the people of the country.

"It takes a certain kind of person live up North, and I tend to like those people."