SUSAN ANGELETTI
BITTERSWEET
INTO THE FLAME–BITTERSWEET–FEEL LOVE TONIGHT–PIECE OF MY HEART–OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER–LOVE DOCTOR–FEELS LIKE RAIN–GO TO HELL–DON’T WANT YOUR LOVE–NOWHERE TO RUN–YOU’RE MY BABY–LOVE IS A DANGEROUS THING
For our third installment of September Sunday Nights with Susan Angeletti, we offer her “Bittersweet” CD. This set has a lot of good things working in its favor before you even put it in your device. Many readers of this humble forum may be familiar with drummer/composer/producer Tom Hambridge, as he has gained quite a measure of notoriety thru his recent work with Buddy Guy. He’s also worked with Susan Tedeschi, and was right at home working as producer for the equally-soulful and big-voiced Ms. Angeletti on this set.
“Bittersweet” is, indeed, just that. Our heroine penned the originals, and many songs deal with love, the pain of loss, and coping in the aftermath. Leading off, Susan ponders, amid the pieces of a broken relationship, “did we stare too long Into The Flame?” Pat Buchanan’s guitar fuels the title cut, as, once again, our girl tries to get along with a lover, but, gets only that “1000-yard stare.” She closes the set with an ode to just forgetting, drinkin’ your problems away with the funky, late-nite strut of “sometimes, Love Is A Dangerous Thing.”
We had three favorites, too. The vocal comparisons between Susan and Janis Joplin have always been apparent, and Susan gives a compelling read of the iconic “Piece Of My Heart.” Our other two favorites totes rocked the joint! One of her best roadhouse rockers is a punch in the gut to a cheatin’ lover with a cool call-and-response lyric perfect for singing along, “treat me right” or “Go To Hell.” It’s full of Berry-licious guitar licks, as our girl leaves nothin’ on the table on this one. Speaking of licks, Susan gets in some good ones on the sly-and-sexy “Love Doctor, never went to doctor school,” but “I’ll fix you up as good as new!”
With “Bittersweet,” Susan Angeletti shows a somewhat softer, more vulnerable side to go along with her bluesy, rocker chick side. It makes for a great listen, and is good for what ails you. Oh, Susan—isn’t it time for my medicine now? Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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