Susan Anders - Now I’m a Kite (2025) Hi-Res

This showcase is engaging. Susan Anders reminds me of ‘60s folk singer the late Melanie (Safka), who had the same type of quirky vocal that was instantly likable (“Lay Down Candles In the Rain”). “Moving Target” opens the LP & has all that Melanie’s playful yet mature lyrical sway. Melanie wrote some serious stuff & Susan has that same whimsicality in each emotional measure.

It’s obvious with “More of That” — a delightful tune with the acoustic texture of simplicity, yet with compelling imagination. Oregon-based Susan’s themes aren’t lighthearted – she explores transitional depths, mourning, forgiveness & renewal through 13 absorbing & catchy explorations on Now I’m a Kite (Dropped May 30/Zanna Discs/38:27) recorded in Sante Fe, NM.

Produced by Tom Manche (acoustic/electric guitars/percussion/bass/keys/bgv) & Susan (acoustic guitar/piano) her material is consistently…good. I like each tale. Her voice has a nice sensitivity. “Shoes” is sung slowly & warmly with Nanci Griffith’s integrity. Susan also seems to have become nestled in a style not widely explored & this is what gives her that added artistic value. There are 13 supporting musicians — too numerous to mention. Two are noticeable: Jim Hoke (flute/clarinet/harmonica/Wurlitzer/pedal steel/percussion) & Dana Cooper (background vocals on one track).

A California native, Susan’s music is not a hippie-dippy stalwart. Instead, she has poignancy in “Last Dance of the Night” that the late Judee Sill (“The Kiss,” “Jesus Was a Crossmaker”) often stitched into her own exceptionally composed melodies. There’s a light touch jazzy sprinkle in “I Quit Blaming You,” done well. “Mourning” has a more well-tempered jazzy vocal, but the music & particularly the piano is rooted exhilaratingly with late career Carole King appeal. With both “You Can Go Ahead” & “That’s What You Say,” Susan has a beautifully soft Martha Wainwright timbre. Martha applies this to her stunning “Proserpina” cover, written by her late mother Kate McGarrigle.