Suzanne McDermott sings and writes out of what appears to be an endless source of wisdom, clarity, and innate musicianship, offering us a collection of songs that are as intelligent and thought provoking as they are beautiful. A fine, finger style guitarist, Suzanne's gorgeous voice has been compared to the younger voices of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Joan Baez and Maddy Prior.
CRS/Rounder Europe released McDermott’s most
recent CD, The Glory in early 2003. Suzanne’s prior releases include
Ephemera, Out Under The Sky (a review of the Christmas Carol), The
Roswell Incident and Suzanne’s debut album Souvenir. Souvenir was named one
of Performing Songwriter magazine's "Top D.I.Y." selections and "Best
Singer Songwriter CD of 1995" by WFMT Chicago's "Midnight Special."
"The Genuine Article!"
Tom Paxton
"The range of Suzanne McDermott's experiences,
talents, and knowledge is as impressive as any songwriter I know,
with the possible exception of Dave Carter."
Gary Martin
In Performance
"Our "Folkstage" guest was
Suzanne McDermott who gave a smashing two-hour concert. I believe
she ranks among the best songwriters of the past 50 years. She's
also a first-rate singer and guitarist. I usually judge an artist's
abilities by the audience reaction, and the audience went absolutely
nuts for her. No one wanted to leave at the end. She had to ask
them to temper their applause so she could fit the set she planned
into the broadcast. She was utterly professional and a pleasure
to present as well."
Rich Warren, Host/producer
WFMT's "The Midnight Special" & "Folkstage"
"Suzanne McDermott's songs are brilliant,
and her presentation is upbeat and entertaining. Our audience loved
her!"
Dave Humphreys, Two Way Street Coffee House,
Downers Grove, Illinois
The Glory
"Sentiments so strong that they're
scary. These are songs that make you think."
Marvin Minsky - Japan Prize Laureate
"We could all do well to study the
human condition the way Suzanne McDermott does - with a critic’s
eye and a poet’s heart. With a voice as clear as Sunday bells
and a wry wit fit for a late-night coffee cabaret, Suzanne McDermott
tells it straight, neither sacrificing art for truth, nor substituting
beauty for passion. More than a pretty collection of songs, The Glory
challenges and enlightens."
Marilyn Rea Beyer, Music Director
WUMB Radio, UMass Boston
"Suzanne McDermott shines on her new
CD, "The Glory". Her crystalline voice reminds me of Judy
Collins, and her eye for detail and turns of phrase tell vivid, compelling
stories. Intriguing, beautiful work, and highly recommended."
Susanne Millsaps, Breakfast Jam,
KRCL 90.9FM, Salt Lake City, Utah
"McDermott possesses one of the most
assured and mellifluous female voices on the contemporary folk scene.
She’s also penned some of the most remarkable songs of the past
50 years, ranks in the first echelon of songwriters and is not timid
about infusing her poetry with strong messages."
Sing Out! Magazine
Ephemera
"Compelling. McDermott has a soulful
and beautiful voice...Her songs have a strong spiritual intensity
and an honesty."
Dirty Linen
"This is an album filled with rare,
beautiful, original and intelligent songs."
Theo de Jong - Strictly Country, The Netherlands
"I love the Roswell song! I LOVE IT!!!"
Cheryl Wheeler - Singer songwriter
"Her song writing is soulful, poetic,
spiritual, and demands the full attention and interaction of the listener."
Jack Sutton - Harmony Ridge Music Belmont,
CA
"I listened to Ephemera again today,
and once again was blown away by the sheer power of all those beautiful
songs. It is a REALLY GOOD album, I mean it."
Caroline Wampole - Big Soul (Sony France)
Out Under the Sky
"This music transcends the season.
It is a beautiful work."
Matt Kramer
"The Christmas album is a curious creature.
Spirituality meets commercial potential in gaudily decorated CD racks
in record stores everywhere. With the typical Christmas album, musicianship
all too often becomes secondary — any old rehashed carols that
get us in the holiday spirit will do. Rarely is such an album a highly
creative or intellectual endeavor.
Such is not the case, however, with
singer/songwriter Suzanne McDermott's Out Under the Sky, a thoughtful
selection of ancient and traditional carols ranging in origin from
11th century Denmark to contemporary America. In an age where choirs
of angels have been supplanted by schmaltzy John Tesh synthesizers,
McDermott captures some of the original honesty and purity of Christmas
music throughout the centuries. Out Under the Sky truly celebrates
the musicianship and inspiration of these traditional carols."
Matt Hutchinson - Charleston City Paper
I bought this cd for her version of "I
Wonder as I Wander" but enjoyed every song on it. Suzanne's voice
is very fluid, soothing and wonderful to listen to. This is the spring
season, and except for the last song on the cd, it makes for perfect
listening as the birds start to chirp, the wind becomes warm, etc.
This is the kind of cd you'll put on when you want to hear something
beautiful and serene, but don't want just a piano trilling in the
background. Her voice and guitar sound like they are right in the
room with you. The cd will be one you reach for all the time.
Ann Shillinglaw for Amazon, Chicago IL
6 Days in Roswell
I'd give this film one star for being just
plain stupid, except that it introduced me to singer Suzanne McDermott,
who gives us the most honest, genuine and professional performance
in the entire film.
Amazon review
The Roswell Incident
The Swedish band sensation of 2004, Raymond & Maria recorded one of Suzanne´s songs with Swedish lyrics for their album Vi Ska Bara Leva Klart. Raymond & Maria were nominated for 3 Swedish Grammis and won the Swedish Grammi for Best Song of the Year. Their version of Suzanne´s Roswell song "Min Pappa" was released as a single and was the MTV Europe release from the album.
Amazon review
Souvenir
Souvenir was selected as one of five of the best CDs of the past 20 years by WFMT's Rich Warren. WFMT, Chicago's fine arts and classical station, asked their Midnight Special host and producer Rich Warren to pick five of the best CDs of the past 20 years for a 2006 pledge premium.
WFMT, Chicago
"Poetic songs lifted by a lovely voice,
which recalls English singers like Maddy Prior."
The Boston Globe
"With her lilting voice and melodic
twists and turns, McDermott is slightly reminiscent of Joni Mitchell
and early Rickie Lee Jones. With near epic songs like "California
Sun" and "The 3 Dreams of J. Robert Oppenheimer" she
makes almost any comparison obsolete."
Performing Songwriter Magazine
"Intellectual poetry set to beautiful
guitar work, all of which comes from an artist's soul with the experience
of a hobo."
Victory Review - Bonney Lake, WA
"Lyrics which repay repeated listening
and a voice which recalls Judy Collins."
Dirty Linen
"Her lyrics are intelligent and challenging, her singing and melodies lovely.""
Andrew Calhoun - Waterbug Records
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