Music is Medicine.

Depth Perception
Don't Die Yet
Sarah Elizabeth Burkey

The fourth album from Sarah Elizabeth is an earthy, contemplative reflection on mortality, and features five choice original songs coupled with several traditional favorites ("Motherless Child," "Trouble of The World").

With roots in classic Americana (Appalachian country, gospel, folk and Native American accents flourish here), Sarah Elizabeth's deeply spiritual outlook is at the forefront, and her convictions are evident. "Turquoise Sky" is a sedate paean to the acceptance of passing. Her reverential (and controversal) take on Skynyrd's "Simple Man" illustrates Sarah's diversity, proving she is as able to tackle a more rock-geared sound as she is doing the ethereal/spiritual thing.

The a cappella "Jesus Lover of My Soul" even takes on an almost Celtic inspiration — further evidence of her wide-ranging wellspring of influence. Sarah's voice is potent, vulnerable and world-wise, and her gentle musical backing takes a back seat to her spirited vocal presence. Don't Die Yet is a strong album of adult mood-pop with a deeper connection.
—Todd Zachritz, LEO Weekly



Strength, Endurance, Living Ruggedly & Simply
Don't Die Yet
Sarah Elizabeth Burkey

The breakup album: performer's public revelation of a private sadness, sometimes laden with sarcasm and bitter wit, other times so full of pain that you ask for a rope so you can make your own noose. But sometimes good music comes out of it. Sometimes the music is all sad and lovely and packed to the notes with hope at the same time. You can share in the catharsis and you're left feeling like there's some kind of hope and that something new is waiting for her just around that corner.

Add to the list of breakup albums Don't Die Yet from Sarah Elizabeth, full of those moments that bubble and surge up when a relationship sours and ends: anger, sadness, bitterness and self-doubt. Her follow-up to the dark traditional folk of 2006's When the Redbuds Bloom, this recording's theme deals ostensibly with Sarah Elizabeth's divorce from poet Ron Whitehead and the only hope she seems to have is reflected in the title. It's sort of a plea to her heart. Indeed, it may have been ripped out while the marriage was auguring in, but it still beats and may someday, soon enough, be healed enough to share with someone.

Oddly, though, it is the title track that is the most upbeat. With lots of acoustic and electric instrumentation, it comes across as strong affirmation, a command, if you will, to jump feet-first into living. Another powerful track is her cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man," which Sarah Elizabeth augments with a voice that alternates between breathy and firm. And the entire work is concluded with "No More Roads," where she sings of the traditional things she's learned from her family in the western part of Kentucky, the ancestral teachings of ways of living ruggedly and simply.

In total, Don't Die Yet may not be the most positive-sounding release in your collection. It is, though, perfect rainy-day music for those dreary damp days when the loneliness seeps down into your bones. The songs have a wailing sadness to them, certainly. But underneath it all, there's a sturdy sense of strength and endurance.

Find more of Sarah Elizabeth's simple, rugged music at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/SarahElizabeth2
Tim Roberts, Louisville Music News, February 2008