SUSAN ANGELETTI
BITTERSWEET
(Oar Fin Records 2004)
Pamela L. Dow
"FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS......"
by Pamela L. Dow (JULY 2005)
A rising star has emerged high above the musical horizon with a dazzling display of talent, shining like a beacon in the night. Bittersweet(Oar Fin Records), the latest recording from singer/songwriter Susan Angeletti, illuminates the soulful purity of the blues and the hard driving intensity of rock and roll with unbridled passion and heartfelt emotion. Angeletti's no nonsense, high voltage performance style, continues captivating blues enthusiasts as well as the rock and roll faithful all across the country.
Receiving high praise for her debut release, Next Years Model of The Blues, Angeletti soon discovered her loyal fan base had quickly expanded into a major following, playing to packed blues clubs and music halls throughout New England. She absolutely electrified the audience when opening for legendary bluesrocker Johnny Winter, manager Teddy Status wasted no time signing Angeletti out on tour as the opener for Winter. Her first national tour performing to sell-out crowds at popular concert venues up and down both coasts, proved to be a major turning point in her career. Angeletti's solid debut release and successful tour experience generated quite a buzz, catching the ear of multi-talented producer Tom Hambridge. Hambridge has collaborated with several artists on a variety of projects, but is better known for his work with Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Susan Tedeschi on her celebrated debut, Just Won't Burn. Hambridge was so impressed by Angeletti's talent, he agreed to produce her next recording. After working together on a few arrangements and reviewing several new songs Angeletti wrote with her Seagull(model S-6) acoustic guitar and on piano, they agreed on final selections for the new album. The result of this dynamic duo's creative efforts is Bittersweet, a powerful, robust recording firmly planted in rock and roll with a noticeable late '70s Jagger/Richards influence heard throughout. What's most distinctive and inspiring about Bittersweet, is the soulful essence of Angeletti herself, a singer/songwriter who's amazing talent just radiates throughout this latest release. It's difficult trying to categorize Angeletti in a specific genre, considering she easily incorporates a variety of musical formats into her repertoire, representing each one with infinite exuberance and emotional purity. Her unique performance style is honest and straight forward, very authentic and deeply heartfelt. She vocally articulates the stylings of artists like Janis Joplin, Etta James, and Tina Turner with remarkable detail, blending them together into a genuine sassy style, truly all her own. Compared at times to these legendary woman, Angeletti equally shares their instinctual expertise when expressing that gutsy, raw emotion especially performing on stage as it erupts from a place deep within her soul.
Bittersweet contains 12 tracks of original songs and co-writes by Angeletti, as she vocally delivers a wealth of emotion, conveying both the pleasure and pain of the human experience with commanding authority. She vigorously exercises her vocal prowess on the opening track, "Don't Want Your Love", a solid rock tune with Angeletti grabbing your attention right from the very first note and never letting go. She's backed by a group of experienced, wily musicians who know exactly how to drive the message home with some sizzling harp solos by Stuart James and blazing fretwork by Pat Buchanan. The following track, "Go To Hell", is a tasty, fast-paced rockabilly tune, seasoned with plenty of Chuck Berry flavor. Tony Harrell lets loose on this fan favorite, tearing up the ivories and motivating you right up outta your seat. Another great track is, "Love Doctor", this spirited blues shuffle finds Hambridge keeping a steady beat as Buchanan offers up a generous portion of stinging guitar licks. Angeletti is heard having a heck of a great time on this one, serving up some sassy vocals and spicy attitude.
Just when Bittersweet sounds like a stick of dynamite ready to explode, Angeletti eases off the throttle to explore the pain and sorrow of lost love and a broken heart on several ballad tracks. This is where Angeletti truly shines, not only as a talented singer/songwriter, but also as a gifted storyteller, especially with sensitive subjects on ballads like, "Feel Love Tonight". Here you'll find Angeletti sharing the pain of loneliness, "..don't want much, just hold me tonight....", the intensity of that lonely ache is painfully expressed through the depth and grit of her sultry vocals, along with some poignant guitar solos by Buchanan. "Nowhere To Run", is an originally penned southern rock style ballad with Angeletti singing about a broken heart with such sincerity you begin feeling the pain literally pouring from every verse. The background vocals and guitar solos only add to the emotion. A personal favorite, "Feels Like Rain", is slower paced soft rock ballad with a just hint of R & B, as Angeletti delivers an extremely soulful and moving performance, effectively showcasing the overall theme by vocally accenting both the highs and lows of the experience.
"....tears are fallin', tears are fallin', they don't wash away the pain."
"...I keep on hopin' this love ain't broken, but it just don't feel the same."
"...feels like rain, feels like rain....."
Bittersweet's final track is the Joplin classic, "Piece Of My Heart", an appropriate selection by Angeletti as a personal tribute, honoring the legendary Janis Joplin who's spirit and unforgettable performance style were a continual source of inspiration. I was guilty of assuming she would cover this popular classic with the same amount of intensity found on the opening track. Instead, she maintained the strength and staying power behind this hit song, while poignantly emulating her personal admiration and respect. The sheer emotion and soulful, sultry texture heard during Angeletti's vocal performance, might just tug a little on those heart strings. After listening to Bittersweet, I'm sure you'll agree Angeletti's greatest, most valuable instrument is her amazing voice. She knows just how to stir the soul when singing the blues and knows just how to tear the roof off when it comes to rock and roll. Bittersweet is an excellent recording, a true showcase of this singer/songwriters amazing talent, a CD you'll listen to again and again
Anyone who's ever expressed an interest in experiencing what this singer/songwriter has to offer, I strongly encourage them to attend one of her live performances, cause she'll blow you away. Not only does she have the vocal chops, she knows just how to deliver them, just her stage presence and vocal delivery by itself, is well worth the price of admission. I had the good fortune to see Susan Angeletti perform for the very first time when opening for B.B. King at the Calvin Theater. I was so impressed and excited by her definitive stage presence, how she took command right from the moment she stepped on stage, firmly holding this standing room only crowds full attention, right from the very first note. Everyone kept jumping to their feet with every song in her set, when her final number concluded the entire theater just seemed to explode. The sell-out crowd continued standing there yelling, screaming and cheering for more, as if unwilling to let her go. After a short break, B.B. King appeared on stage, telling the crowd how impressed he was with his talented opening act. Susan Angeletti is the "real deal", "the complete package", her live performances are something you experience and something you won't soon forget. She'll make her way across the room, reaching out to everyone in the attendance, giving them absolutely everything she's got, with every fiber of her being. This singer/songwriter gives you 100 % pure heart and soul, you'll feel the emotion and meaning etched behind the music itself, a rare gift indeed. This newcomer continues turning heads and has well established herself throughout the music community as one powerful performer. Her latest release is definitely sending a message, telling everyone, "Susan Angeletti is here to stay!"
In fact, she has a brand new CD just released called, Susan Angeletti, Live In Concert: "99 & a 1/2 Won't Do!"( Oar Fin Records 2005). This new release contains seven tracks highlighting songs from several of her live performances, including cuts from her performance at the Calvin Theater with B.B. King. If you haven't had the opportunity to experience this amazing singer/songwriter in person, I highly recommend getting yourself a copy of this live recording, available now at Susan Angeletti's web site and www.utrmusicgroup.com
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www.susanangeletti.com
(C) 2005 P.L. Dow
"Susan's new 'Bittersweet Cd' sounds like Janis Joplin fronting The Rolling Stones during 'Exile On Main Street'. Susan rocks, the CD is hot!" - Tom Hambridge, producer of Susan's new Bittersweet CD.
"Susan is a sterling vocalist and a ballsy blues chick"- Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull.
"Angeletti has a versatile and soulful voice that seems to have learned as much from Tina Turner as it has from Joplin, she evinces the control of a jazz singer and it comes as no surprise that Nina Simone is one of her personal favorites". - Seth Rogovoy, The Berkshire Eagle
"Roll back the rug and turn up the radio baby, Susan Angeletti is fiery and absolutely fearless",
says Donnie Moorehouse of the Union News. Susan's dynamic stage presence and raw powerhouse
vocals are reminiscent of the timeless, adrenaline filled performances made by folks like the great
Otis Redding, Tina Turner, Steven Tyler and Janis Joplin; Susan was blessed with a big and soulful versatile instrument and an impressive range. Once she happened upon the wailings and moans of folks like Etta James, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding,the Rolling Stones and Nina Simone she was hooked on the honesty and powerful feelings that the music conveyed.
In 1998 Susan had a mentor in songwriter, producer and stellar guitarist John Sheldon, who produced her first CD: "Susan Angeletti: Next Year's Model of The Blues" in 1998. John recently had the honor of having James Taylor record two of his songs, including "Bittersweet," which is the title track to Susan's latest CD. Susan recorded "Bittersweet" prior to Taylor's version. She figures James has good taste! Susan's debut CD: "Next Year's Model" won many local raves and airplay and Angeletti started packing clubs in the local area.
Her big break came in 1999 when she opened for legendary bluesrocker from Texas, Johnny Winter. Her dynamic show won over more than the audience that night. Winter's longtime manager,Teddy Slatus, took her on her first west coast tour with Johnny.The tour included stops at The Fillmore West and the House of Blues in Los Angeles, and many east coast dates with Johnny at places like The Bottom Line in New York City, Pearl Street Night Club in Northampton, and Toad's Place in New Haven.
On the strength of Susan's debut CD and touring with Johnny on both coasts, Susan attracted the attention of acclaimed Producer Tom Hambridge who agreed to produce her next CD. Hambridge has worked with an array of artists, but is best known for working with Grammy nominated singer Susan Tedeschi on her break through disc: "Just Won't Burn".
Hambridge seems to have a knack for bringing out the best in big-voiced; singers named Susan.
Tom's skills as a producer brought out the abundant talents of Susan Angeletti on her latest CD:
"Susan Angeletti, Bittersweet", which shows her continued evolution as a singer and as a songwriter. Tom says: "Susan rocks,the CD is hot, sounds like Janis Joplin fronting the Stones during 'Exile on Main Street'"!!
Writer Seth Rogovoy of the Berkshire Eagle says of Bittersweet that:
"Susan Angeletti just released a smokin' hot collection of original songs and co-writes, and a sultry, intimate version of the classic song: 'Piece Of My Heart'. Angeletti acquits herself as a terrific songwriter in the hardrockin 'Go To Hell' and broadens her musical base beyond the blues to tackle the heartland rock of Hambridge and Kevin Bowe's 'The Other Side Of The River' on which she comes across as the female answer to Bruce Sringsteen or John Mellencamp. "
Susan's ballsy blues voice also caught the attention of Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson. After hearing the way Susan tears into a song, Anderson hand-picked Susan to perform her original composition "All Gassed Up" with him last year at his sold out show at the Colonial Theatre in Keene,
New Hampshire. The song is posted on the Jethro Tull website at www.jethrotull.com.
Plans are in the works for Susan to work with the multi-talented songwriter and producer Kevin Bowe, who has kindly offered his expertise to her for her next record. Kevin has worked with Jonny Lang, Shannon Curfman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Winter, etc., and he is currently producing tracks for Susan's very favorite powerhouse singing gal: Miss Etta James. Kevin has sold over 10 million copies of his songs world wide. Susan & Kevin are looking forward to seeing what might happen when they get together in the studio.
Her powerhouse backing band features the fine Hammond playing of Darby Wolf, the searing and tasteful sounds of Chris Piquette on guitar, Nick Cressotti on the bass guitar, stellar showman and harmonica player Stuart James, and Dave Lincoln on the drums.
Websites: www.susanangeletti.com
www.utrmusicgroup.com
E-MAIL SUSAN:
susanangeletti@hotmail.com
MGMT Contact Info:
Katie Wright Mgmt: PH 413-253-0474
E-Mail: blues@wmua.org
Booking: contact Stewart James
ph: 413-268-0215
e-mail: stewartjames@netscape.net
Radio Promotion: Christine Vitale(www.christinevitale.com)
E-mail: cv@christinevitale.com
* Info on Susan's "Bittersweet" CD Producer: Tom Hambridge
Website: www.tomhambridge.com
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