The Gospel Truth

Susan Werner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 27, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sleeve Dog Records
• ASIN: B000NJWTQQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,963 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the most innovative songwriters working today... (Susan Werner is) a triply blessed artist who sings adroitly, plays the piano smartly and, best of all, writes songs of genuine distinction and high craft... --Chicago Tribune

Susan Werner, a clever songwriter and an engaging performer, brings literacy and wit back to popular song... --The New Yorker Magazine

This woman is great. Period. --Music Row (Nashville)

Product Description

Very likely the world's first agnostic gospel album, this disc taps fearlessly into the zeitgeist of contemporary American religious culture. The songs are heartfelt and incisive, biting yet optimistic, drawing from Werner's own personal spiritual questions to engage and seek common ground with the Christian community at large. Blues, gospel, country and bluegrass all come together on this album, anchored by Susan's vocals and her politically conscious songwriting. Highlights include "Sunday Mornings," "Lost My Religion" and "(Why is Your) Heaven So Small." Highly recommended.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Werner's Best Yet! And don't forget to listen to that hidden track..., March 3, 2007

By 

Kellie Lin Knott (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gospel Truth (Audio CD)

Chicago based songwriter Susan Werner is known nationwide for her spirited, and often hilarious, live performances. While previous albums showcase Werner's considerable writing chops, THE GOSPEL TRUTH succeeds in also capturing the dynamic performance energy & presence that have long set her apart. Beneath Werner's stunning vocals, which are at times guttural, smooth, and quietly intense, Grammy Award-winning Producer/Engineer Glen Barratt paints a folkie new-grass back drop that hums with organic warmth and Gospel power.

Strip aside the flawless production and performance and let's get to what really makes this record important - the songs themselves. They're some of Werner's best yet . THE GOSPEL TRUTH offers up faith and doubt side by side while examining the truth about God & goodness. Werner claims onstage that THE GOSPEL TRUTH is the world's first "evangelical agnostic gospel album", but the doubtful and devout alike will find affirmation in this joyful approach to some big spiritual questions.

While some songs make light, ("Our Father Revisited" - "Lord lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from those who think they're you"), others go much deeper into the complexities of faith & social responsibility. Notable stops on the journey include the bluesy call to action, "Help Somebody," the rich piano ballad "Forgiveness", ("How do you love those who never will love you?") and the conscience driven "(My Lord) Did Trouble Me."

But don't think that Werner is preachy, pushy, or overly sentimental. Nope. She's just real. Part of her greatest charm is her ability to so succinctly state what so many of us are feeling and thinking. This is most apparent on the final (hidden) track, the ethereal "After All of This". Werner sings,

"I would like to think there's something
After all of this
When life's final kiss has faded
I will have waited to see
If there might be more
Another door to open
I'm hoping
I can say that faith is one thing I could never risk
Too much of a leap - too steep a fall
But after all of this, I just can't resist
Wondering what's to come
And there might be nothing
But there must be something
I don't really know
But I would like to think."

Is faith perfect, or is it a practice? Do we need religion to be kind, honest & good, or can we come by these gifts in other ways? Susan Werner's lovingly crafted song cycle, `THE GOSPEL TRUTH', suggests that we can make it with or with out by finding faith in each other. And even if we never reach the ultimate knowing (God or no?) just opening up to the possibility of something good is mighty fine.

And after all of that - I'd like to say with no hesitation BUY NOW. Listening to this record felt necessary - and I was left feeling full of hope, joy and peace. Did I mention that I wholeheartedly support your decision to purchase multiple copies of this record to share with friends, family (and enemies) who could use food for thought, a little inspiration, and some damn good music? Buy now. ;)

To close:

(1) Buy it
(2) Listen to it
(3) Let's Talk - there's huge potential for dialogue with this album.

Enjoy!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Near-Flawless Folk-Gospel Classic, April 2, 2007

By 

Cabir Marc Davis (Amazon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gospel Truth (Audio CD)

If you havent yet heard of this wonderful, underrated artist, you might need some time understanding what this music is all about.

First of all, Susan Werner sounds like a mix between Jennifer Knapp, Alison Krauss and some Regina Spektor thrown in for good measure. To be sure, this album distinctly reminded me of the first Alison Kraus & Station record, and strongly brought back memories of the Christian classic "Kansas" album by former recording artist Jennifer Knapp.

The tunes here are very muted, toned down, and rely on some beautifully sparse and simple instrumentation, letting Susan's lyrics stand out and speak for themselves. I have got to say, this is one amazing songstress, and the words here speak volumes.

Remember though, that even though the melodies here are catchy and the music is lovely, there is a spiritual, religious overtone to it, as that was the intention. Personally, I think this is brilliant, and the words are generic enough to fall short of being a totally Christian album - yet its definitely gospel - in fact, comparable to the best of the genre.

Susan Werner definitely suprised me with this album, as I never really learnt to appreciate the folk-gospel genre. But this CD blows it wide open for a wider audience. Delve in and appreciate!

Four Stars.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nearly Perfect--Certainly Refreshing, April 9, 2007

By 

James Charnock (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Gospel Truth (Audio CD)

Werner has a beautiful voice, and the way she varies the speed and pronunciation of words--even syllables--is amazing. I appreciate her ambivalence about religion/God. I guess this is close to what is called "spiritual, but not religious." My favorite song--both its message and musical composition--is the energetic "Probably Not," which gets to the root of religious ambivalence or agnosticism.

The clickable graphics displays of seemingly endless choices (and usually syncopated to voice and music) are astounding in design and color.

Only one negative: At times, certain words or syllables are indecipherable to (or too low for) the ear. I don't know if it's her singing or the recording equipment. Helpful, though, is the accompanying insert that has the songs in print.