Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Susie Meissner: I’m Confessin’

Susie Meissner: I’m Confessin’

By C. Michael Bailey
April 14, 2011
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On vocalist Susie Meissner's previous recording, I'll Remember April (Self Produced, 2008), the singer staked out the center of the middle of the road stylistically. Her repertoire was from the most popular sections of The Great American Songbook, dispatched tastefully in her well-balanced high alto. Dedicated to the melody, Meissner is clearly not one given to vocal fireworks, preferring to honor the composer's original intentions.

I'm Confessin' picks up where I'll Remember April left off, adding the expert services of trombonist

Wycliffe Gordon

trombone
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Wycliffe Gordon and trumpeter

Freddie Hendrix

trumpet
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Freddie Hendrix. Again, Meissner chooses from the center of the GAS chestnuts she addresses conservatively, with class and grace. Her voice is sturdy around the edges, showing great range, though she prefers to sing from the midrange.

Meissner's highlights are

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington "Just Squeeze Me" and "I'm Just A Lucky So and So," and

Hoagy Carmichael

piano
1899 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You" and "Skylark." Of the songs with less mileage, Meissner gives a grand reading of "Detour Ahead," featuring Hendrix's rounded brass, and "Tangerine," featuring guitarist

Paul Meyers

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Meyers.

There will always be a market for this type jazz singing—honest, sincere, and thoughtfully rendered. The benefit of these interpretations is they faithfully present what the the composer was hearing and thinking, a facet best appreciated before taking on the more demanding and inventive vocalists.

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Track Listing

Close Your Eyes; I'm Confessin'; I Love You; Just Squeeze Me; I'm Just A Lucky Son and So; Tangerine; The Nearness of You; How About You; Skylark; On A Slow Boat to China; Embraceable You; Detour Ahead; Day by Day; A Time for Love.

Personnel

Susie Meissner

vocals

Susie Meissner: vocals; Wycliffe Gordon: trombone (2, 4,10,11); John Shaddy: piano (1-4, 7, 8, 11-14); Dean Johnson: bass (1, 3-8, 10-13); Tim Horner: drums (1, 3, 4, 6-8, 10-13); Greg Riley: tenor and soprano saxophones (1, 3, 4, 5-8, 10, 12-13); Freddie Hendrix: trumpet and flugelhorn (8, 12, 13); Paul Meyers: guitar (6, 9, 13).

Album information

Title: I’m Confessin’ | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Lydian Jazz Records

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