By Karla Peterson
ARTS WRITER

October 7, 1999

On Lisa Sanders' "Life Takes You Flying," it's her voice that threatens to carry you away. On this new album (her second for the San Diego-based Cargo Records), Sanders sings with such buoyant confidence, the album threatens to sprout wings and fly right out of your hands.

As it turns out, it is a minor miracle that it exists at all.

"I didn't want to do this record in the first place, because I'd had it with everything," Sanders said. "I tried so hard to avoid making it, but it ended up being the best way to come to terms with things and to make peace with my demons. Now I'm the happiest I have ever been, but it took making this record to get me to the point where I could feel this way."

The good times should have started three years ago, when Sanders' debut album, "Isn't Life Fine," was released to encouraging reviews ("If you test only one brand-new artist this week, make it Sanders," Billboard said), and the singer-songwriter got a distribution deal with MCA Records.

Instead, Sanders quit her job at Vons, lost her apartment, sold most of her belongings and learned to do without niceties like health insurance. She also spent too much of her time bedeviled by backstage squabbles and personality conflicts that undermined her faith in herself and her music.

"It was an interesting trip," Sanders said, working through a stack of breakfast dishes. "Having to be on my toes every minute really affected me. In the end, it was a good thing, because it showed me I could do things I didn't know I was capable of doing. But I also got to the point where I was angrier than I had ever been in my whole entire life.

"Writing these songs was a way of coming to terms with a lot of deep personal issues. They're not spelled out, but putting them on the record was a way to close that door and move on."

With its cozy folk-rock sound and resonant vocals, "Life Takes You Flying" is probably the friendliest musical exorcism you'll ever hear. "This House," which Sanders co-wrote with Dana LeeWood, is a rollicking plug for self-healing; the reverent "Head Over Heels" is so in love with love, it glows; and the guitar-charged "Queen of My Castle" celebrates independence and the thrill of giving it up on your own terms.

Recorded in just one month with empathetic producer Josquin des Pres and a fine band that includes local guitarist John Katchur and Young Dubliners drummer Jon Mattox, "Life Takes You Flying" also features a new singer of sorts. The name is the same, but as far as Sanders is concerned, the voice couldn't be more different.

"I'm learning how to sing, finally," said Sanders, who began studying voice with UCSD's Linda Vickerman more than a year ago. "I used to hate performing. I thought it was excruciatingly painful to perform in front of people. I never thought I was good, and that is the honest-to-God truth. I had no idea about my capabilities. But with knowledge comes confidence. Now, I tell Linda that after five years of studying, I might be where I want to be."

When she opened the San Diego Lilith Fair concert in July, Sanders looked and sounded like a woman who had already arrived. Surrounded by hordes of supportive (and extremely vocal) fans, as well as a growing crowd of newcomers, Sanders and LeeWood performed their short set with breezy poise and frisky enthusiasm. Later that evening, Sanders joined Lilith founder Sarah McLachlan and an all-star cast for the grand-finale rendition of "Put a Little Love in Your Heart."

"Doing Lilith Fair was the best experience of my whole entire life," said Sanders, who was chosen by McLachlan's management to play in Phoenix as well. "It was like running around in your Cinderella dress for two days. I remember thinking, 'If this is as good as it gets, I'll take it.' I spent some time with Sarah, and Sheryl Crow said 'Hi' to me three times. I was out of my head the whole time, and my audience was just gone. I've never seen them so crazy. When I got home, I went in the bathroom and cried for an hour, because it was so overwhelming."

Three months later, Sanders still sounds shocked. Shocked that she got the Lilith call. Shocked that people liked her. Shocked that she actually made a second album and shocked that it actually sounds pretty good. If she could just figure out what to do now.

"Sometimes I wonder why I do this," Sanders said with a go-figure laugh. "I think I'm probably crazy. I want to get to my goal, but I have no idea what that goal is. Now, I'm content with the fact that this is what I'm supposed to do, no matter how it kills me."

Lisa Sanders' CD-release parties will be held Oct. 28 at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach and Oct. 29 at Java Joe's in Ocean Beach. Sanders and Dana LeeWood also perform Oct. 15 at the La Costa Roasting Company in Carlsbad. For more information, check her Web site at
http://www.lisasanders.com/

Sounds Like San Diego runs the first Thursday of each month. Beginning this month, tapes or CDs should be sent to: Nina Garin, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191. For other information, call (619) 293-1284 or send e-mail to nina.garin@uniontrib.com

Copyright 1999 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.