Susan Ashton

Item: Susan Ashton
Author: Steve Timm

(1993)

Reviewed by Steve Timm

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Label Sparrow RecordsThe LighthouseDecember 1993

adult contemporary ccm country

Susan Ashton waited until this, her third album, to release a self-titled album. This album is a self-portrait, but it is painted with help from songwriter and producer Wayne Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick wrote or co-wrote all the songs but one ("Remember Not" is by Phil Madeira and Jimmy Abegg). This combination has worked well over the first two albums, and this new album does not disappoint. The combination of studio musicians is also about the same, featuring Gordon Kennedy on guitars, Carl Marsh and Phil Madeira on keyboards, and Steve Brewster on drums. Background vocalists include Christine Denté, Ashley Cleveland, Donna McElroy, Billy Gaines, Michael Tait, and Susan's husband, JD Cunningham.

This album combines the best things of the past with some new influences. The vocals are still crystal-clear and still sing of comfort and healing. The melodies and rhythms are accented with excellent acoustic guitar work. There is a hint of Country and Western in this album as well, especially "The Call of The Wild" and "Heart Like a Rock." Likewise, "Summer Solstice" and "No Remedy For Love" are love songs which could easily be released to the mainstream.

In this self-portrait, the lyrical focus is introspective, but varies over a wide variety of emotions and issues. "Summer Solstice" and "Waiting For Your Love to Come Down" speak of being open to receive the love of God. "There Is A Line" and "Remember Not" speak of personal ideals and putting them into practice. The focus then moves to the problems that arise in discussing God with friends in "Hold the Intangible" and "Agree to Disagree." Finally, there is a song of encouragement in "A Rose Is A Rose."

Susan Ashton's success in Christian music has been because there are few, if any other, vocalists that sound like her, so it is hard to compare to other artists. However, you might imagine having the music of Kim Hill (same producer and songwriter) sung by Christine Denté (Out of the Grey). Also the latest two albums of Sandi Patti have stylistic similarities (Susan sang the demos for the LeVoyage project). Anyone who hears Susan Ashton's music will soon learn to appreciate her music on its own merit.