The Bottom Line
Susan Werner is one of the most versatile singer/songwriters around. With her roots in classical music and jazz, her folky tunes have always been a little bit bent in a direction that a lot of singer/songwriters are afraid to go. But on her fourth nationally-distributed CD, I Can't Be New (Koch, 2004), Werner takes us deep into the throes of her fierce exploration of jazz crooning. The result is something both innovative and lovely, and offers great music for the background or the forefront.
Pros
- "I Can't Be New"
- "Don't I Know You"
- "Let's Regret This in Advance"
Cons
- If you're attached to her folkier stuff, this may not be for you
Description
- A bit of a departure from her earlier work
- A great exploration of Werner's ability to master jazz crooning
- Werner's voice, piano, and lyrics are in full lovely form
Guide Review - Susan Werner - I Can't Be New
Fans of Susan Werner are aware that her roots are in classical voice (in which she holds a Masters degree), and that she is as adept on the piano as the guitar. But on her fourth CD, I Can't Be New, Werner pulls out all the stops to explore the realms of vocal jazz. Here she sings songs that sound like they were penned by Cole Porter or any one of his contemporaries.
But Werner's Folk fans will not be disappointed by her mastery of the jazz genre. Indeed, Werner's musicianship is incredibly tight (as usual), and her lyrics are as poignant as ever. In the second line of the title track, she sings, "You want a breath of air, I'll be your balcony."
Overall, I Can't Be New is a fine exploration of jazz vocals. Susan Werner is an incredible musician, with an impressive ability to showcase her mastery on any instrument or musical style. This CD may seem like a bit of a departure from her earlier work, but no doubt Werner's sure to make plenty of other recordings of great work, whether she continues with jazz or explores some other area of American music.
Listen/Download I Can't Be New
