Customer Reviews

The Gospel Truth

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

These lyrics speak to the True Gospel Message of love, acceptance and forgiveness. Ms Werner touched my heart with "help somebody" and "did trouble me", stimulated my thoughts with "heaven so small", "our father" and "don't explain it away", and pumped up my joy level "i will have my portion"! Every cut is worth relistening, thinking, sharing and discussing! Agnostic Gospel or Not, I say "Amen, Sister!!"

This is a great CD! Good vocals, good instrumentation, and great writing. Susan Werner takes on all comers - phony evangelists, exclusionary fundamentalism, and the boys club mentality of the Catholic Church. When she is not lambasting theocrats, she is expressing the contradiction and confusion experienced by those trying to make "sense" of spirituality and theological concerns. "our father" by itself is worth the price of the CD.

This album is thematically quite a change from Susan Werner's past recordings, although musically it showcases as always her giftedness as songwriter, musician, and singer. This classically trained folk artist, in this recording, examines her own agnosticism and the questions she has for the faith of her upbringing.

Sure to offend some, but very enlightening for those who would embrace an open window into honest questioning. As a Christian myself, there is much here for the church to hear if it will, if only an understanding of why some drift away from the faith.

Susan Werner bares her soul in these lyrics. She questions. She embraces. She hurts. She longs for what she misses. She is witty ("Our Father"), unsettled ("Sunday Morning"), and benevolent ("Help Somebody").

For Christians, not an uplifting recording at all, but a very inspiring one, if heard in the way I think it was meant to be heard. As not one agnostic voice, but a collective voice longing for meaning and relevance in the culture of religion.

Musically beautiful, lyrically thought-provoking and poignant.

I am Catholic and struggle with doubt. I find my faith strengthened and my hope renewed by this wonderful music. In Ms. Werner's album we have a necessary voice of criticism holding Christians to a higher standard of faith and practice than the self-righteous might approve of. I am glad there was only one truly negative review, from a Catholic. This Catholic has another point of view: the voice of conscience is heard in musical form. Truly prophetic and inspiring. Thank you, Susan Werner, for your honesty and courage.

I first heard the music at my Unitarian/Universalist Fellowship. It is right on with our beliefs in non-sectarian, non-judgemental religion. Not for the "true believer" unless they are prepared to question their dogma.

I've been a fan of Susan Werner since I got "Last Of The Good Straight Girls" in 1995. But this CD is about as perfect as I've heard in my 38 years of intense listening. I feel so truly fortunate to come in contact with Werner's writing here at a time when I am questioning my place in the religious world as a gay Christian. Werner's thoughtful and melodic songs run the gamut of questions and emotions and the results are the most truly, authentically Christian album ever made. The most sublime of all is track 4, "Did Trouble Me." "When I let things stand that should not be, my Lord did trouble me." Thank you, Susan! Your music has truly made a difference.

Susan Werner and the Gospel Truth is truly a gem. If you know her work already, then this is a no brainer, get it and you will enjoy it. If you are not familiar with her, then you are in for a treat. Susan is a real piece of work, I saw her at the World Cafe Live when she introduced The Gospel Truth and it was a performance to remember. Don't expect to take this one to your church group, but if you have a sense of humor and appreciate the role of religion in our lives go for it!