Susan Raven
Glittering Cities
© 2000 Susan Raven (634479084126)
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"Majestic songcraft bolstered by a strong vocal performance from singer songwriter Susan Raven; the scope of the music is reminiscent of Peter Gabriel's ambitious catalog - a beautiful album." - CDBaby.com
tracks
- 1 Behind Your Eyes
- 2 Here To Be
- 3 Hope In The Mormimg
- 4 Glittering Cities
- 5 Stack Your Guns
- 6 Saturn
- 7 Lake
- 8 I Think Of You
- 9 The Lens
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Susan Raven, singer and songwriter, is a songsmith, a 21st-century troubadour. Her critically-acclaimed album, Glittering Cities, is a cinematic journey from start to finish, an emotion-fired collection of majestic songcraft with strong vocal performances that fall somewhere between Sinead O'Connor and the Cranberries. Ethereal instrumentation and inspired performances from, among others, members of the Peter Gabriel and Salif Keita bands, perfectly establish the sonic aura around her thought-provoking lyrics. The arrangements soar, ranging from multi-layered synth programs over dance grooves through to a pure acoustic and orchestral approach. The album's lyrics reflect the artist's interest in all things mystical and esoteric deriving from the traditions of both East and West.
Susan has completed recording a brand new album, released in March 2007. "Ravensong" has received excellent reviews, great listener responses and has been featured on BBC local radio... the album is now available to buy from CDBaby - see link under "Try This" on the left of this page!
"I write all my songs on a vintage Martin 12-string guitar. It is an entire band in one instrument, the harmonics and drones that spin out from the strumming suggest many of the overdubs that follow. I take a song and hone it until the base-metal turns to gold. I write lyrics to trigger emotions, memories and inspiration in people and as my craft has matured, so a strong individual sound has emerged. My music has been variously described as Cosmic World Fusion, Space Rock and Ethno-Pop."
MURRDAY FISHER - THE ALL MUSIC GUIDE - "Susan Raven's debut album, Glittering Cities, is transcendent. Raven's voice is gorgeous, and her original compositions are moving and insightful. All cuts are technically excellent. The title song is a lucid and vibrant example of Raven's total production - ethereal, shimmering, and visionary."
BOBBY BENSLEY - A+R - "This is the kind of album that many artists only dream of producing. Listeners will notice the overall level of quality of this production. Every instrument, every little sound, is crisp and clear, living within its own separate space in the overall mix of the music. Glittering Cities is as uplifting as it is contemplative. Raven's emotive and melodic voice adds depth, texture and harmony to the lush instrumentation of the arrangements. This album is a top shelf example of independently produced music. It is no wonder that it has achieved such critical acclaim across the Internet. From the first to the last notes, all parties involved exude a level of professionalism that many major label performers have lacked in recent years."
reviews
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found u on message board
author: roland bowman dot comhi susan i found u in most unusual way. I went to cdbaby dot net i beleive. any way i saw your message board where u were talking re cdbaby and that u had to send more cds cause u had sold so many recently. well i figured u must be pretty good. so here i am after searching "susan raven" at cd baby dot com. Glittering cities is a good cd and i am enjoying hearing u. where u in england? you gotta style that dosen't conform to any that i am aware of. I like that and need to hear O r i g i n a l and that what glittering cities. TY for the music. Holler back first chance roland rolandbowman@yahoo.com www.cdbaby.com/all/rolandbowman
Glittering Cities - Susan Raven. A great album.
author: SpeedYThe production of this album is superb. The quality is up there with some of the best artists on the market. All of the songs on this album are great. Some are incredibly great. I used to have a problem with Saturn but as she was quite correct, it grows on you. I think it is because the beginning lyrics don't quiet tie in perfectly with the fading in music. Maybe it's just me and my perfectionist attitude. Personally I still don't like “I think of you” since there is one small part of backing vocals in the chorus that doesn't appeal to me. The bass at the start is not melodic enough for me either but that is just my perfectionist attitude again. I feel that with the right breaks, her music could become very big. I hardly ever recommend anything because nothing can come up to my perfectionist standards, but I would recommend this to anyone who likes uplifting beautiful music. If you're remotely interested, get it.
If you value thoughtful lyrics, great melodies and fine music....
author: Mike FinlayIf you value thoughtful lyrics, great melodies and fine music, then you should have this album. I love it - I listen to it still after owning it and enjoying it for three years now! Susan Raven is the voice of this millenium.
Is Susan Raven still performing/recording ? Masterful work
author: Raven fanIt is hard to imagine that Susan Raven would not have become a big hit in the US had her work got air time or some live performances there. I think particularly of all the Mind/Body Expo's going on nationwide and then there's Earth Day. It's been a few years since this album came out . Amazing music. Great lyrics, great arrangements, great recording quality. Even if one doesn't like this genre, you have to admire the quality of the musician ship. Susan come back and record some more ! and please come tour the US.
New singer songwriter material with a decidedly English folk sound.
author: D.W.DI have been a fan of English folk music for year. This being the case was pleased to find a singer songwriter that embraced the feel of that style while still being contemporary.
I love this album. It is just beautiful, powerful, masterful.
author: David WrenchI love this album. It is just beautiful, powerful, masterful. The album flows, not a weak song in sight, excellent production. Can't recommend it highly enough!
magical
author: TIA KNIGHT - CD BABYSusan is amazing on this cd..a must have for all.
Susan's music is a clean wind among all the pollution
author: John LohreyAs Susan's first CD, it had the effect of taking me to places I have wanted to go but did not have a guide. The songs are a clean wind among all the pollution that has attempted to distort my love of music. This CD shows a talent that is presently being clouded over by the glitter of the music industry but will eventually shine forth if allowed.
What a beautiful album! All the songs are great.
author: Peter JonesFrom the first song to the last - all of the songs on Glittering Cities are beautiful. The album flows from start to finish, high-quality production and excellent song-writing make this one of my best purchases this year! I love it - and so does my mum :)
Brings life into my tired mind
author: ®od Steel'Saturn' is one of the very best songs ever made, Period. Thank you.
Yes, quite glittering !
author: ThierryA delicate crystal echoed voice on powerful rhythmic tunes (with a discreet touch of David Rhodes on two tracks). Imagination, sensitivity... It's a pleasure for yor mind.
Beautiful
author: Geri CafarellaSusan's voice to angelical. Her music has a calming effect. This CD is a must.
A unique sound with intelligent songs
author: Kent (from Minnesota)This is my first purchase from CD Baby and I am quite pleased. Susan Raven's sound is difficult to categorize - this is a compliment - as it effectively combines elements of folk, rock, celtic, brit pop, and even a little new age. The songs are all very intelligent with thoughtful lyrics, and the production and background musicianship are surprisingly strong for an indie CD. Love her voice. Favorite song is Saturn, but there is not a weak cut on the CD. Looking forward to her followup effort.
Glittering Cities is really an album that should not be missed!
author: Bud Bennet - ilikepieI bought a copy of Susan Raven's Glittering Cities quite some time ago. It's been played and played and played since then. My son is 4 years old and he can sing along with several of the songs. He even frequently requests that we play the song Glittering Cities. Now to me, an album that satisfies listeners ranging in age and experience from 4 to 38 is really something. Glittering Cities (the album) is filled with rich imagery, excellent lyrics, excellent musicianship, wonderful production, and enough musical substance to stand up to repeated listens - over and over and over. I think the thought-provoking lyrics make me want to listen to this album repeatedly. I know for my kids it's the instrumentation that excites them (and Susan's slight accent). My personal favorite song is Saturn. The lyrics are incredibly thought provoking... "It's a rich man who sees our beauty is our love"... "A journey of a million years recorded in the blood"... "Why are you waiting for a secret to be told When the answer lies within you and it finally calls"..... these are a few of the fabulous lines in Saturn. The song makes me think and think and I find that very valuable and admirable. The other songs on the album have this same sort of mature lyrics. They're just wonderful! Glittering Cities is really an album that should not be missed!