This site too slow? Try a mirror  --  Subscribe to the Guide  --  Find artist:
the Ectophiles' Guide: * Guide Home* What's new* * Alphabetical* Genre* Commentator* Location* Random artist* Search* Contact the editors* Credits

Susan Harper


Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

Rock, with significant blues and jazz influences. (mapravat@prairienet.org)

Status:

Most recent release, Unpredictable (2008)

See also:

All Music's Susan Harper page

Comparisons:

Grace Slick, Alice Peacock, Phoebe Snow, Sue Foley

Covers/own material:

Own, occasional co-writing

General comments:

Driving soulful R&B-influenced pop/rock. Susan Harper's rich, low vocals dominate the slightly jazzy acoustic backing. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)

Recommended first album:

Unpredictable

Recordings:


From Now On

Release info:

2002—self-released

Availability:

Unknown

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Susan Harper—vocals, guitar

Guest artists:

Lai Peterson—guitar, bass
Paul South—guitar, drums
Steve Ossolinski—bass
Jessica Lurie—alto saxophone
Sean Lahay—keyboard
Neil Wilson—percussion

Produced by:

Lari Peterson, Paul South, Susan Harper

Comments:

A lot of the time, the best music is an outgrowth of the artist's ability to synthesize elements from different musical genres. On her initial 5-track CD, Susan Harper has shown that she's good at this.
     Harper is first and foremost a rock artist, but she has borrowed liberally from jazz and blues. The initial track, which her promo materials describe as "a psychedelic romp," reminded me of Grace Slick; on another track she sounded more like Phoebe Snow. A blues-influenced number evoked memories of Janis Joplin, though Harper certainly doesn't sound like her, as well as bringing the name of the white blues singer Sue Foley to mind. The closest overall comparison I can think of is to the excellent independent rocker Alice Peacock, though the latter's style may be slightly less eclectic.
     Harper has indicated that she is working on a full length CD. This is good. She's off to an excellent start, and I look forward to hearing more. (mapravat@prairienet.org)

Unpredictable

Release info:

2008—self-released

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Group members:

Susan Harper—acoustic guitar, vocals

Guest artists:

Sean Lahay—keyboards
Jessica Lurie—saxophone (4)
Scot Reese—bass (2, 3, 7, 9, 11, 12)
Steve Ossolinski—bass (4, 5)
Dave Kaplan—guitar (5, 7, 9, 10)
Lari Peterson—guitar (1, 8), bass (1, 8, 10)
Neal Storme—guitar (2, 7, 11)
Scott Adams—acoustic guitar (3)
Trever Ridge—acoustic guitar (12), harmonica (12)
Grant Schroff—drums (7)
Paul South—drums (1, 4, 5, 8, 10), acoustic guitar (4, 5)
Tim Miller—drums—drums (2, 3, 9, 11, 12)
Neil Wilson—percussion (10)

Produced by:

Lari Peterson and Paul South, Neal Storme, Sean Lahay, Susan Harper

Comments:

Throughout this album the lyrics capture moments of time and experience, feeling both personal and universal; accordingly the music and vocals feel intimate—like you're overhearing someone's innermost thoughts—and yet they're presented with musical skill and vocal energy. "Enchantment" is my favourite track here—it has such a catchy verve. Unpredictable is recommended for anyone who enjoys pop/rock, especially that edging toward blues and R&B. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)


Thanks to Mitch Pravatiner and Sophia Gurley for work on this entry.

Why the ads?


Contemporary Folk

121 - 160 of 383 entries

<<  10-Br  Br-Cu  Cu-Fo  Fo-Ja  Je-Lo  Lu-Mo  Mo-Ra  Ra-Sw  Sw-Wa  We-Ze  >>

Click the bullet for speed (drop the menu) or the name for convenience (keep the menu)


>
Four Bitchin' Babes

>
Julia Free

>
Laurie Freelove

>
Ivor Game

>
Abbie Gardner

>
Rachel Gaudry

>
Ed Gerhard

>
Melinda Gidaly

>
Kevin Gilbert

>
Eliza Gilkyson

>
José González

>
Jenny Goodspeed

>
Patty Griffin

>
Nanci Griffith

>
Marcia Guderian

>
Gwendolyn

>
Lara Halidae

>
Trina Hamlin

>
Hank Dogs

>
Lisa Hannigan

>
Happy For No Reason

>
Sarah Harmer and Jason Euringer

>
Roy Harper

>
Susan Harper

>
Emmylou Harris

>
Michael Hedges

>
Hem

>
Kristin Hersh

>
Sara Hickman

>
Tish Hinojosa

>
Danielle Howle

>
Magdalen Hsu-Li

>
Sophie Hunger

>
Janis Ian

>
Indigo Girls

>
The Innocence Mission

>
Marketa Irglova

>
Melody James

>
Susan James

>
Jano

<<  10-Br  Br-Cu  Cu-Fo  Fo-Ja  Je-Lo  Lu-Mo  Mo-Ra  Ra-Sw  Sw-Wa  We-Ze  >>


Other Genres...
the Ectophiles' Guide: * Guide Home* What's new* * Alphabetical* Genre* Commentator* Location* Random artist* Search* Contact the editors* Credits

DISCLAIMER: Comments and reviews in the Ectophiles' Guide are excerpted from the ecto mailing list or volunteered by members of the list. They are the opinions of music enthusiasts, not professional music critics.

Entry last updated 2022-08-02 18:10:33.
Please request permission if you wish to
reproduce any of the comments in the
Ectophiles' Guide in any context.

The Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music is copyright © 1996-2004 by the editors.
Individual comments are copyright © by their authors.
Web site design and programming copyright © 1998-2004 usrbin design + programming.
All rights reserved.