Linda Sussman’s fifth album features eight original tunes from the New York based artist. She plays acoustic guitar and sings.
She is accompanied by Mike Nugent on electric guitar and Kevin Kelly on bass. Sussman’s voice is natural and homely rather than being strident or particularly distinctive.
The record opens with the bluesy title track which contains both an affirmation and a challenge: There’s a hill I’m gonna climb; So join me or leave me - you choose.”
In equally determined vein I Wanna Fly is built around the desire to avoid being ”bogged down in the small stuff. “
Peace, love and understanding are the driving themes behind Let Common Sense Prevail and My Heart Is Sinking. The former is a plea for a reform of US gun laws and the latter is a gentle prayer for an end to wars in the Middle East with Gabrielle Schavran guesting on electric cello.
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A desire for healing is at the heart of the folk/blues ballad Don’t Let It Rain that focuses on a reunion between a mother and her estranged child.
A Power You’ll Never Know is a song of empowerment in support of women’s reproductive freedom “Keep your laws off my body / I’m not your church, I’m not yours to own.
In all these issues and worthy causes Sussman makes no claim to being a trailblazer. The essence of Lights of Change is rather that she is following a righteous path forged by others.
The music may be light but this takes nothing away from the strength of feelings expressed. These are all protest songs.
Linda Sussman’s website
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