Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Susie Meissner: Tea for Two

Susie Meissner: Tea for Two

By C. Michael Bailey
September 3, 2020
View read count

Natural but determined evolution makes for well conceived and produced projects. Vocalist

Susie Meissner

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Susie Meissner has proved this statement as she progressed from her debut recording I'll Remember April (Lydian Jazz, 2009), through her sophomore effort, I'm Confessin' (Lydian Jazz, 2011) to the present Tea for Two. Using a well-worn repertoire, Meissner, mostly with the support of pianist John Shaddy and his regular rhythm section (bassist

Lee Smith

bass

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

Dan Monaghan

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Monaghan), has steadily moved from solid, if not predictable, arrangements and delivery to more daring presentations (albeit, still coloring well within the lines). The motherlode of American Music continues to provide.

On Tea for Two, Meissner turns tempos on their head by giving the title piece a ballad-slow seven-plus-minute reading (compare this to

Anita O'Day

vocals
1919 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Anita O'Day's incendiary performance in Jazz on a Summer's Day (Galaxy Attractions, 1959)). Meissner takes her time, sharing it with clarinetist

Ken Peplowski

woodwinds
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Ken Peplowski who brings his own

Benny Goodman

clarinet
1909 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Goodman-inspired smooth, wood tone to the mix. On "Mean to Me," the reedsman is tenor saxophonist

Larry McKenna

saxophone, tenor
1937 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry McKenna who passes straight through

Lester Young

saxophone
1909 - 1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Lester Young on his way to

Stan Getz

saxophone, tenor
1927 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Stan Getz and

Scott Hamilton

saxophone, tenor
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Hamilton and beyond in his inspired solo and support, while Meissner highlights some of the most clever lyrics written.

Meissner specializes in the old songs. The original score of "Moonlight Saving Time" was published in 1931 and recorded by Guy Lombardo and Maurice Chevalier, among others. Meissner adds a steady bounce, propelled by Peplowski's swing-era clarinet. The 1933 chestnut "Moonglow" is blown off and taken for a brisk round-the-block, again with Peplowski slipping around, sounding more like

Artie Shaw

clarinet
1910 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Artie Shaw. The effect is intoxicating as it was in the last year of Prohibition. The 1929 musical film Marianne showcase "Just You, Just Me" features Lee Smith on bass in a spare and brisk arrangement of the Greer-Klages composition.

With impressive command, Susie Meissner makes her merry way through the Great American Songbook. It is a golden age from which to draw. Let's hope she has much more to say about it.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

If I Were A Bell; Tea For Two; Mean To Me; Moonlight Saving Time; Laura; Love Is Here To Stay; Moonglow; Just You, Just Me; Everything I Love; Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry; I Didn't Know What Time It Was; Crazy He Calls Me; Triste; Say It Isn't So/Always.

Personnel

Susie Meissner

vocals

John Shaddy

piano

Lee Smith

bass

Dan Monaghan

drums

Ken Peplowski

woodwinds

Larry McKenna

saxophone, tenor

John Swanna

trombone

Freddie Hendrix

trumpet

Paul Meyers

guitar

Album information

Title: Tea for Two | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Danny Green Interview
< Previous

Wasilewski Trio with Joe Lovano and ...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.