Cliff & Susan – Neon Dreams (2023)
When Cliff Prowse met Susan Erwin on stage in 2016, they knew it was meant to be. Filled with a joint passion for music and a blooming love for each other, the pair soon formed the critically acclaimed music duo Cliff & Susan. Each a notable artist in their own right with many years of experience in the industry, Susan brings her classically trained piano to multi-instrumentalist Cliff on various singles, albums and live performances. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Neon Dreams’.
Following their moving single ‘A Song for Grandad’, Cliff & Susan touch our hearts once more with ‘Neon Dreams’. Unlike ‘A Song for Grandad’, ‘Neon Dreams’ picks up the pace similar to their well-received track ‘Fiddle & Keys’. Reaching to the core of old-school country, Cliff & Susan bring the vintage country twang to the fore in ‘Neon Dreams’. Yet, while you can see yourself enjoying the pair in a dive bar in Nashville, they slice through the country mist with hard-hitting rock and a tinge of blues. It is here that the pair embrace the eclecticism of Americana.
While I can easily place Cliff & Susan alongside Chris Stapleton, there is a uniqueness and individuality oozing from the veteran husband-wife duo. In ‘Neon Dreams’ a combination of bold drums merges with a steel pedal guitar carrying us across the melody. The pounding tune sends a soul-stirring sensation; however, it is the crescendos of a scorching guitar that adds the rock edginess. Bring in Cliff’s rich vocals and there’s warmth slithering through a hard-hitting blast of guitar.
The intricate gymnastics of the arrangement can be captivating but there is a simplistic theme lingering in the single. Touching on the intimate ambience of small live venues, and the thrill of playing on the stage, ‘Neon Dreams’ is a light on a neon dream hiding within seemingly insubstantial settings. Cliff & Susan explain:
“’Neon Dreams’ is more than just an upbeat country groove – it’s a message to dreamers and go-getters who know that the stage is where they belong. True to its roots, the song tells us that whether or not fame and fortune come knocking, the real prize is in the chase, in the authentic joy of doing what you love performing for crowds.”
For more from Cliff & Susan, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Find more fantastic Americana bands on The Other Side Reviews’ Americana playlist:
