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reviews by David Levine
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Okay, okay I admit it. I'm prejudiced. Maybe it's the fact that I was raised on a commune in northern California. Maybe I'm rebelling after too many Judy Collins records that my mom played. I know it's my problem and no one else's, but I'm just not into that whole female folk guitar earth mother thing. So I was surprised when I listened to Suzanne McDermott's debut record called Souvenir and I liked it, I really liked it. What I dig about this disc is the diversity of subject matter. Songs about Manifest Destiny, Robert Oppenheimer and taking care of an aging mother. It's a relief to see artists thinking about something besides love and the big willy.
Suzanne McDermott was born in Bryn Mawr, PA. and culls her material from a widely traveled and experienced life. She has shuttled between the Philadelphia, Boston and Los Angeles folk scene with many stops in between. She has survived as a painter, a playwright, and as Sarah Vaughn's personal assistant. In L.A., she was part of the McCabe Guitar Shop community and designed their T-shirt. She first performed with her guitar at age fifteen and her relaxed vocal style and clean guitar picking are a reflection of her experience.
Suzanne McDermott has created a sparse sound that is usually a finger picked guitar with one other instrument (second guitar, bass, cello) and the sublime use of the backup vocal. The acoustic guitar sound is rich and ringy just the way it's supposed to be. The vocals alternate between lush and lonely depending on the tune. Suzanne really understands these songs, which sounds trite but you feel as if she is talking to you. There is a clarity and honesty of voice and spirit, an unspoken quality that reaches you where you live, even if it's Poughkeepsie. It's that thing. You know, the thing that gives you goose bumps when you hear a certain note sung through someone's soul.
When You Became My Child (86K/au) is a heart wrenching song in the minor about a woman who, in a role reversal, must take care of her aging mother. The lyrics in the chorus say it all.
When you became my child
I did not feel my womb stir
But oh my heart went wild
To beat away my weakness
To make more room for you
To hold the love you gave me
So I could give it back to you.The melody underlines the lyrics to create an even more powerful image.
Heartbroken (86K/au) is my personal favorite. A jaunty acoustic guitar duet that juxtaposes itself against a bitter lyric expressing the embarrassment of being fooled and betrayed by a lover. Check out the infectiously catchy and singable chorus. Soon you won't be able to get it out of your head. I also like And It Still Is Blue (86K/au). It has a lovely chorus.
Now, one song on this disc does break David Levine's cardinal rule of popular music. That is the use of French. Although A Le Flueve Congo (whatever that means) has a sweet guitar figure and a beautifully simple melody, the use of French will force me, on principal, to skip this particular song when I listen to this record. In fact, I think when Bob Dole becomes president and he vanquishes Hollywood and the record industry, he should also pass a law against the use of the French language in popular music. Sorry Suzanne, just my opinion. Well, that's my only complaint and if French doesn't bother you I think you will like it. If you want to know more about where Suzanne McDermott is playing or how to get her C.D., contact Rosema Red Records P.O. Box 1373 Cambridge MA. 02142-0010
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