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Susie Meissner: I Wish I Knew

By Jack Bowers
October 3, 2020
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I wish I knew why the talented Philadelphia-based singer

Susie Meissner

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Susie Meissner chose to open her salute to the Great American Songbook with the only tune on the album that doesn't really qualify: Curtis Lewis' "The Great City." It's not a bad song but Cole Porter or

Johnny Mandel

arranger
b.1925

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Mandel it ain't. On the bright side, Meissner recovers quickly on the fourth album under her name with a burnished rendition of the title theme, a memorable composition by the legendary Hollywood songwriting team of Harry Warren and lyricist Mack Gordon, and chooses the rest of her material with care, as well as her sidemen, who include such master hands as saxophonist

Larry McKenna

saxophone, tenor
1937 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry McKenna, clarinetist

Ken Peplowski

woodwinds
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Ken Peplowski, trumpeter

John Swana

electronics

" data-original-title="" title="">John Swana, guitarist

Paul Meyers

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Meyers and pianist / arranger

John Shaddy

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">John Shaddy. Two more standouts, bassist

Lee Smith

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Smith and drummer

Byron Landham

drums
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Byron Landham, keep the rhythm smooth and flowing.

Another renowned Hollywood music-and-lyrics duo, Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen, is represented by the exquisite "It Could Happen to You." Mandel is here ("The Shadow of Your Smile"), as is Porter ("Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye"). And so, it should be noted, are Lerner and Loewe ("I've Grown Accustomed to His Face") as well as Rodgers and Hammerstein ("Hello Young Lovers"). Nothing else is less than inviting, from "Poinciana" to "Alfie," "In a Mellow Tone," "You Go to My Head" and the poignant finale, Betty Comden / Adolph Green's "The Party's Over," first sung by the incomparable Judy Holliday on Broadway in Bells Are Ringing. As far as awareness is concerned, that is arguably Meissner's only misstep, as she sings it a touch too cheerfully, especially when compared to Holliday, admittedly the gold standard, who wrang every ounce of pathos out of its heavy-hearted lyric.

Meissner's mostly contralto voice is more soft than strident, and she sings on-key, which is always a plus. She also takes few liberties with a melody, which may prompt questions as to her credentials as a jazz singer, issues that are by no means without merit. On the one hand, Meissner doesn't sing "jazz" songs, with the possible exception of

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington's "In a Mellow Tone," nor does she scat or realign harmonies and changes like, say,

Ella Fitzgerald

vocals
1917 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Ella Fitzgerald,

Sarah Vaughan

vocals
1924 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Sarah Vaughan or

Carmen McRae

vocals
1920 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Carmen McRae. Like

Frank Sinatra

vocals
1915 - 1998

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Sinatra or

Rosemary Clooney

vocals
1928 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Rosemary Clooney, there is a definite jazz inflection and undercurrent in Meissner's voice, and her supporting cast boasts impeccable jazz credentials. A jazz singer? Maybe not. A jazz album? Most certainly, even though the jazz component rests for the most part in the capable hands of McKenna, Peplowski, Swana, Meyers and the others. As for Meissner, she's a capable singer, with or without the jazz presence, and is definitely worth checking out.

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Track Listing

The Great City; I Wish I Knew; It Could Happen To You; I��ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face; Poinciana; Alfie; Hello Young Lovers; The Shadow of Your Smile Ev��ry Time We Say Goodbye; In a Mellow Tone; You Go To My Head; The Party��s Over.

Personnel

Susie Meissner

vocals

John Shaddy

piano

Lee Smith

bass

Byron Landham

drums

Ken Peplowski

woodwinds

Larry McKenna

saxophone, tenor

John Swanna

trombone

Paul Meyers

guitar

John Swana

electronics

Album information

Title: I Wish I Knew | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Lydian Jazz

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