[dar-list] Susan Werner Live- In A Church No Less

[Dennis Whelan]

Esther and I went to see Susan Werner live last night. We had seen her
before about a year ago (in a round robin show that included Dar) and
enjoyed her playing live.
 
I've had her albums for years and always enjoy her music.
 
She has a new project out that is a bit different than her earlier works.
It's called "The Gospel Truth" which can best be expressed as the gospel
music without Jesus.
 
Here's what the Chicago Tribune said-
 
Susan Werner takes on the church in contemporary American life in this
gospel/bluegrass - tinged collection of 11 new originals. Quite possibly the
first "agnostic gospel" album, this CD surveys the wide variety of
viewpoints regarding the church today, ranging from earnest and uplifting
handclap choir rousers such as "help somebody" to the introspective and
critical "forgiveness" and "Sunday mornings," pausing along the way for
comic relief in the frank and humorous "our father" and what is sure to
become the anthem of agnostics everywhere, "probably not." A project sure to
confirm Werner's reputation as "one of the most innovative songwriters
working today" (Chicago Tribune).
 
I heard many of the songs from that disc for the first time last night and
while I enjoyed them I was also a bit troubled by the sentiment of some of
them and by her comments in between them. I did not personally disagree with
what she was saying- I am best described as an agnostic- but found that I
was feeling defensive for those who might be offended by those sentiments
(including Esther who was sitting next to me).
 
The album and the comments definitely cause one to think and react to them.
The music and sound of them is the same top notch musicality that she always
shows in her music- both on guitar and piano.
 
She is a tremendously talented musician. Her lyrics are insightful and at
times simply hilarious as well.
 
Bottom line- buy her discs any or all of them but be forewarned that some of
the messages on her latest disc may be challenging for a person of deep
religious faith to listen to.
 
She also puts on one heck of a show live- although she does put a bit of
politics into it at times (Huckabee's name was mentioned several times- and
not in a positive way) 
 
Go see her if she comes to your town. I believe her level of music would
appeal to many Dar  fans.
 
Dennis