SINGOUT! The Folk Song Magazine Summer 2009 / ALBUM REVIEW By Rich Warren Cosy Sheridan possesses an eccentric muse, or perhaps it possesses her. That's all for the good as this muse leads her into explorations to which other writers are oblivious. Thus, Eros stems largely from Greek mythology, as Sheridan sings with the wisdom of Minerva. Eros is a complete dozen song cycle that explores the nature of contemporary women and their lives as reflected in the age-old mythology. Sheridan specifically cites the myth of Eros and Psyche as the foundation for the album. She introduces the album's concept with the opening The Story Of Longing, which contains a line about "the gods holding out their hand to me." Several of the songs stand alone without direct reference to the theme, but, taken in context, they fit like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The Beauty Cream updates the Persephone myth in a mock Gospel style. The wonderfully tongue-in-cheek Weekend Workshop sends up and puts down some New Age rituals. It might take Dr. Freud to divine all the nuances contained in this fascinating album of well-written songs. You Still Love Me Somewhere could be mistaken for a Carter Family song, not derivative, simply in that timeless style. The album ends with some irony, with Happiness is Waiting, a song that uses laundry as metaphor. On this self-produced CD, Penny Nichols helped with the arrangements. Sheridan, who is a most adept guitarist, is accompanied by TR Ritchie, Kent Allyn, Nichols, David Surette and Eric Halter. This talented crew gives the songs bounce and substance. There's some very tasty picking on many of the songs. Sheridan has practiced her trade for many years, and has touched on these themes before, but not in a coherent stream of new songs. 1 laud her for going to Hades and back for a CD that stands apart from the hydra of singer-songwriters. Sheridan sings with the knowingness in her performance of someone who has lived, and this makes the tale of Eros all the more provocative and relevant.