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Susan Elliott: This Strange Season
ByStylistically, Elliott's compositions recall harmonically and melodically the music of the Indigo Girls and Paul Simon. This is not to say her sound is not her own, it is. Elliott's sound is informed by these artists and her results are both exceptional and impressive. Her lyric subject matter ranges from the Winter Solstice of "Long Nights Moon" (this could become part of the Christmas Season canon) to a relationship flagging in "An Ocean Between Us," to a grandmother's love in "Flora's Angels Locked the Door." Elliott's expressive pianism supports her graceful singing well, creating a warm environment for her music making.
Contributing greatly to this recording is guitarist Wayne Wilkerson, whose presence is tangible throughout the recording. Overtly, on "Long Nights Moon," he commands a folk presence, while remaining understated on the title cut. Joe Romano provides a precise harmonica to "Long Nights Moon" and the delightful "Fool for Love." Gary Weldon plays a tart chromatic harmonica on the whimsical "The Stars Made a Wish."
This Strange Season is populated with thoughtful celebrations of life rendered splendidly by accomplished musicians toward a satisfying and positive end. May we have more music like this.
Track Listing
Long Night Moon; An Ocean Between Us; Flora’s Angels Locked the Door; Where We Need to Be; Rushing Into the Future, Looking; Back at the Past; Fool for Love.
Personnel
Susan Elliott
pianoSusan Elliott: vocals, piano, organ; Aric Nitzherg: bass; Wayne Wilkerson: guitar; Ellen Story: violin; Erin Wright: cello, ukulele; Joe Romano: harmonica (1,6); Gary Weldon: chromatic harmonica (8); Brian Thomas: pedal steel guitar; Erick Korb, Gigi Welling Nitzbert; Becky Williams, Sharon Montgomery, Ken Gaines: back up vocals.
Album information
Title: This Strange Season | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Little Honu Records
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