Erin Ash Sullivan – Signposts and Marks
I have to go through many CDs each week. Sometimes the choice is perfectly suited to the weather, the hour, or the atmosphere. I remember at 14 listening to Robin Ward’s “Wonderful Summer.” The penetrating voice & sad melody I knew would be carved in my memory.
When I popped Erin Ash Sullivan’s new CD the first 2 songs did the same. “Goat on a Stone Wall,” & “Rest Stop Bird,” both have that perfection of form, a warm climate in the arrangement & they blissfully make one forget whatever is irritating. Of course, it’s not only the lyrics & melodies but the summer-like vocal tonality Erin uses. Each song has rich storytelling qualities & the right choice of words.
The 12 Signposts and Marks (Drops July 26/Independent/46:44) on New England’s Erin Ash Sullivan’s (vocals/guitar/ukulele) well-recorded spare work produced by Doug Kwartler (multi-instrumentalist) was recorded at Hollow Body Studios in Chelmsford, MA. This is not a big production effort, yet the musicality achieves its aim. There’s a little Mary Chapin Carpenter (“This Shirt”), some Kris McKay (“If You Ever Need Me”) & Allison Moorer (“Cold In California”).
You’d think she’d lose momentum by the third song but “Nobody’s Business” is another charming tune that distinguishes Erin from many other singer-songwriters who have the sad habit of regurgitating the same words, issues & chord progressions as many before them. Erin approaches each with full-realized stories as her PR outlines. Usually, I dismiss such promotional statements but it’s strongly evident by just listening.
Erin doesn’t rely on every tune as a true story but relies on her ability to construct a small, short story in each song. She scores high on “One Time I Stole a Book,” which I’d recommend to Judy Collins. This is lovely with its haunting horn work in the far background that adds the right touch of atmosphere.
There’s an acute poignancy to each tune Erin appropriates. I guess rootsy grace is also present in these compositions with Erin’s striking voice in its gentle narrative. Absorbing. The added value is how Erin turns on a dime into a McGarrigle Sisters-type folky element – “Winter Walk.” An upbeat & driving yet not aggressive vocal. The acoustic guitar, fiddle interplay & distant drum beats display Erin’s virtuosity. In a word, it’s splendid.
With “Eat the Pie,” & “How It Should Be” Erin’s comfortably in a Ferron/Cris Williamson-type folk-like showcase & pulls this off well. Erin — if she plays her hand wisely could be coming up in the fast lane behind Joni Mitchell as a singer of skill with the tales, the words & formidable melodies. I like her. Oh, yes I do.
Highlights –“Goat on a Stone Wall,” “Rest Stop Bird,” “Nobody’s Business,” “One Time I Stole a Book,” “Winter Walk,” “Ghost of a Thorn,” “Eat the Pie” & “How It Should Be.”
CD image courtesy of Danbury Jamb. CD @ https://erinashsullivan.com/about/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Song Premiere: Erin Ash Sullivan “Goat on a Wall”
