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Wakened By The Wind Review

I've recently rediscovered Susan Ashton and have come to the conclusion that this is some of the most awe-inspiring music I've heard. Why is there only one other customer review for this album?!! Everything about these tracks is near perfect---the song-writing, arranging, instrumental performances from some of Nashville's best, the production, and finally, Susan's incredibly pure and transcendent voice, singing lyrics in a truly inspired way that could turn a stone-cold atheist into a fervent believer (okay, I can dream can't I?). The peak of the album for me is "I Hear You" which is a song about the experience of God's glorious presence whereby He speaks (when least expected) to believers in times of quiet devotion and meditation: "And when my soul hits the mark, and the light splits the dark, I hear you; and when my heart starts to move, I know that it's You I hear...."

I am always left with the feeling of having received a special benediction after hearing this music. I'm amazed that songs like these can be swept under the rug of our ever-changing, always looking for the next new thing-culture. This is classic material that truly glorifies God in its aesthetic and spiritual excellence. Her next two albums---Angels of Mercy and the self-titled one---are just as good. Her fourth album, A Distant Call is where Susan began to explore "secular" music, and although a fine recording in itself does not have the spiritual essence of the first three. However, some of the tunes are Christian and are excellent as well.

Review by: Jason Bucklin, Amazon.com