Susan Savia: Reviews

Four out of Five Stars!

Not many politicians make music, well unless you consider Bill Clinton’s famous sax sessions (that’s sax with an ‘a’ ladies and gents). But Susan Savia ran for the House of Representatives for the state of Pennsylvania under the Green Party umbrella only to eventually sojourn into musical bliss. This folksy compilation of harmonious musings and lullaby lilts has become the debut collection of a lifetime’s worth of music adoration.

Savia has a great website that explains her waltz into the land of folk, but her Buddhist beliefs are truly what set her on a spiritual path, infusing her life with lyrical inspirations. What emerges is a Cosmic Summer Sojourn, a trip through the open spaces of nature. Gentle acoustic playing that you might hear at a trendy coffee house coupled with soothing vocals will lull your senses into the netherworld. I suspect this is Savia’s secret desire, to melt away stresses and put you into a state of mild trance with Cosmic Summer Sojourn.

Savia could best be described as a Jane Siberry type, but not entirely, as her music seems to be a little purer and crisper, with less strumming than Siberry, but more vocal meditations. I found Savia took some risks, like with the song “Under The Stars Tonight”, that came across a little too pitchy, but overall a great debut album with lots of poetic depth.

Dear Susan, Thanks for your participation at The WestSide this past Monday night. I had no idea who the performers were until I heard them, since I had not any of the acts....I was thinking of how elegantly you followed Wonderboy! Ha! That was a bit of a initiation by fire.
And I was marveling about the long sojourn you took musicially--You'd better not go into another hiatus like that last one! I will want a copy of Cosmic Summer Sojourn when the project is done! I love Nick Drake's music as you do, and I see some most pleasant resemblance; however, an analogy only goes so far-- he was a glider but you can soar.

Susan, We have received the CD, and it brings much pleasure to us. It wasn't until my wife, Susan Jewett, identified the back door sound (" I think I just heard a screen door") that we realized that all the bird sounds were, well, real bird sounds. The tracks that were music we had heard in Hanover brought back the joy and wonder of that special evening and made we wish for a video where we could have captured the environment when you were singing to some of the children who were there. To me the most captivating and haunting parts of the CD are the tracks where your voice and that of the accompanying instrument are pure and allow me the most access to the poetry of your lyrics. Your artistic virtuosity both vocally and instrumentally are astounding: each alone would be rare. The CD deserves wide distribution and appreciation. You can be sure that we will be promoting it as well as enjoying it. Congratulations!

Susan, So far today, I've listened to the CD no fewer than 3 times. I say "no fewer" because every time I had to leave my desk, I'd stop the song I was listening to and restart it when I returned. Then, when I got home, I told Cecile she HAD to hear this CD and I listened to it for the 3rd+ time. I was gratified when Cecile actually sat through the whole thing, often stopping what she was doing to put her head back and close her eyes and just pay attention to listening. Trust me, that's a real accolade. As for me, I already have several favorites - "Twas A Day When She Was Happy" (or words to that effect) being one of them. My sister and I spent our youth and most of our adulthood enjoying singing together, so at Christmas I'm going to play it for her too - I know she'll love it. If you ever get by here, I'd love to have you do a "signing" for me on the CD itself. That has got to be the best CD I've heard in a long long time - typically I don't even play CD's much, but this one is going to get played a lot. Thank you so much for keeping me in mind and making me aware that it was available. I think it's only going to be a matter of time until I'll want another one or two.