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February 2009 - CLASSICS IS FINALLY HERE!
A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN WERNER
hello friends,
it is with great pleasure that i announce the official release of my latest & newest project, CLASSICS. see below for more info about where you can get it.
the recording features 10 pop classic tunes arranged for string quartet and chamber music instruments. A classical take on pop classics. and oh yeah, i sing. guess i should mention that.
and yes i did the arrangements - with assistance from producer crit harmon and reknowned arranger brad hatfield from boston. it was a thrill to have the players come in and NAIL EVERYTHING. just NAIL IT.
thanks everybody, always - your support makes these musical adventures possible. come see me with cellist julia biber - we'll be at a show near almost ALL of you in the next four months. i'm not kidding. see the schedule, below.
SW.
btw, you could always gift maybe i'm amazed to your Valentine (on iTunes). i mean, for 99c it beats a hallmark card. :)
FULL TRACK LISTING
1. lonely people (america)
2. mercy mercy me (marvin gaye)
3. bach sarabande solo cello/the wind (cat stevens)
4. waiting in vain/gymnopedies satie (bob marley)
5. hazy shade of winter/vivaldi winter violin concerto (paul simon)
6. turn turn turn (pete seeger)
7. all is fair in love/chopin nocturne (stevie wonder)
8. maybe i'm amazed (paul mccartney)
9. don't let me be misunderstood/rodrigo concerto de aranjuez (the animals)
10. i just wasn't made for these times (brian wilson)
Get Classics at the All New SW.com!
WHERE TO GET CLASSICS
In addition to a friendly record or bookstore near you, here are some places the new album is available online...
• Buy MP3s on iTunes
• Buy CDs at CDBaby (we like them 'cuz they're indie like us)
• Buy CDs at Amazon.com
• Buy CDs from SusanWerner.com directly
• Buy MP3s from SusanWerner.com directly
• and of course, as always, CDs are available at shows
December 2008 - The New Project
A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN WERNER
December 4th, 2008 Chicago, IL
Dear Friends,
yes, it's called Classics.
and u r thinking... is this like "the greatest hits of Susan Werner" or something?
uh, no. (i'd actually need a HIT for that, btw....)
or u r thinking... oh no has she lost her mind, and she did a record like that one barbra streisand did in german or italian or something with weird stuff she learned in school?
uh, no.
but...
there are hits...
and there's something kinda classical.... sorta....
some of u have already heard bits of it here and there out on the road - songs i've performed in shows, or experiments i carried out with a cello player in great barrington or northampton...
but for more details, well, i'll let the music do the talking. that's why its called music.
and this particular project is ALL about the music.
you'll see.
thanks for all your ongoing support, everybody.
see u all in 2oo9. with a new project and new musicians in tow.
happy holidays.
-s-
October 2008 - Enjoying the Fall
A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN WERNER
hello friendz,
well, the cubs are playoff bound and i'm busy in the studio working on the next project - so all the news these days is good news. re: the next record, yes, it's yet another creative departure from a woman who has more creative departures than midway airport. can i say that? does that work? look, not every turn of phrase is gonna be a gem, people...
have to say the summer season was great, the band was fantastic always and we enjoyed our stops at, among other festivals, the XPoNential Music Festival in Philly, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest in CO, Sisters Festival in Oregon, and, on the right, a pic from the Boston Folk Fest on Sunday, September 14th. fun was HAD.
and now - pa NJ ny seattle TEXAS oregon NC we will see u all soon. and as the leaves begin to turn, doesn't it bring to mind those cold crisp fall days when you were a little girl and you would walk out in the fields with a gun slung over your shoulder and shoot caribou?
-s-
August 2008 - Fall Lineup
This Weekend - Folks Fest Colorado & Music Revue Palo Alto
ROCKY MOUTAIN FOLKS FEST - LYONS CO
Susan Werner has spent an inspiring week teaching at the Rocky Mountain Song School. Don't miss her appearance at the Fest this weekend with full band including Greg Holt on bass, Trina Hamlin on percussion, harmonica and vocals, and special guest vocalist Moira Smiley.
For full festival lineup >>
www.bluegrass.com/folks/lineup.html
MUSIC REVUE PREMIERE - PALO ALTO CA
"My Strange Nation, The Music of Susan Werner"
Theatre Q in Palo Alto, California is staging an original revue of Susan Werner's music. The show runs August 14th thru Sept 7th at the Dragon Theatre in Palo Alto CA.
Susan will be in the audience for the performance THIS Sunday, August 17 at 2pm AND will stick around for a brief reception after the show.
DATES: August 14 - Sept 7
WHERE: Dragon Theatre, 535 Alma Street, Palo Alto CA
TICKETS: Call 415-433-1235 or www.theatreq.org
MORE INFO: infotheatreq@aol.com
theatre Q presents World-Premiere Musical Review "My Strange Nation, the Music of Susan Werner"
EXCERPT FROM WEBSITE:
Running the gamut from folk to jazz, from rock to gospel, the music of Susan Werner has captured the quirky nature of the world we live in and the eccentricities of relationships since the early 90’s. For the first time ever, her music is being brought to life on the stage with theatre Q’s world-premiere production of My Strange Nation, The Music of Susan Werner. Conceived and directed by Dale Albright, the show will perform at the Dragon Theatre in Palo Alto, 535 Alma Street. Previews begin August 14, 2008, and the show opens Saturday, August 16 running through September 7, Thursdays – Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.
More Info >>
www.theatreq.org
February 2008 - "Live At Passim" Now Available
A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN WERNER
LIVE AT PASSIM - new recording available for download NOW!
Over the years i've heard some of you say "i love your records.... but they never quite capture the energy of your live show." Well, friends, as of today, you'll be done with that little routine. ;)
because engineer Keith Richardson caught some lightning in a jar at Club Passim when i was there with my band may 31st and june 1st last year - and it's now available via download on SusanWerner.com
and not only is it The Gospel Truth tunes done with a dream minigospelchoir of Colleen Sexton and Trina Hamlin - and with the ever spunky Greg Holt on the upright bass - not only do u have some of yer favorite SW tunes in new arrangements - like BARBED WIRE BOYS, as a ballad - and MAY I SUGGEST, in a great performance by Greg on bowed bass - and TIME BETWEEN TRAINS with Trina on harmonica, in a sizzling performance for the ages - but also CHICAGO ANYDAY, which everybody seems to want to send to their sister-in-law in Schaumburg or something. well, now you can send it to her.
above all, what you have, is the band having a great time in front of one of the best audiences in the country, at Club Passim in Cambridge - it felt like we were the home team playing at home, and you'll hear and feel it, too. i'm really proud of the shows that we gave all around the U.S. in 2oo7 - and now you'll hear why.
enjoy.
-s-
January 2008 - "Live At Passim" Available Soon
A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN WERNER
January 4, 2008 Chicago.
friends/frenz/y'all/youze:
2oo8 is well underway. already a year of surprises - omg - obama - iowa - wow - and reverend huckabee finishes first in the GOP - consult The Gospel Truth for further commentary on that -
but such surprises - it does make you wonder, what is the rest of 2oo8 gonna bring?
well, i checked the chinese calendar to see what it says - and on the chinese calendar this is year 4705-4706 - turns out the Year of the Rat begins on February 7th. til then, it's the Year of the Pig. Rat years are years of prosperity and of peace. sounds good to me.
btw when IS the year of the CAT? remember the song by al stewart? did he just make that up or what? cause there is NO year of the cat on the chinese calendar.
i guess year of the rat doesn't sound very poetic.... certainly not year of the pig. nobody wants to sing about that.
....
but whatever year - or years - this is for you (Jewish calendar year 5768–5769, Islamic year 1428–1429, Hindu year 1929–1930) - may it be a happy and healthy one. especially a happy one. i'm working on happy, in 2oo8.
you'll see.
HAPPY new year -
-s-
December 2007 - Tis The Season To "Help Somebody"
A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN WERNER
November 29th, Chicago.
yes, that time of year again. days get short. sun is done at four. dry skin. dry air. time to drag the humidifier out of the closet.
why do i live here (chicago)? when its 20 degrees out and wind chills and all the rest... what is it about this hairshirt of a winter that we suffer thru in the north?
sometimes i wish i could move my forefathers. ya know? just pick up and move my ancestors. make up a story - not about my german farmer ancestors who came here to the upper midwest seeking good soil -
but my bahamian ancestors who settled in - well - the bahamas.
yes, that sounds lovely.
until u run into old friends at the grocery store... on the way to the coffee shop... and u hug em and u love them and this friendly town and the really good deeply decent community minded people and then u see the christmas lights all along the streets and u walk past the PUPPETBIKE puppet show on michigan avenue and see all the kids laughing like crazy at the tiger and bunny hand puppets frolicking wildly to the music of "sweet home chicago" and it's just, well, it's just YOUR TOWN.
and then your friends from virginia or wherever call and they say hey aren't u playing at schubas january 5th and 6th at 7:30? and u say yeah. and they say we're coming. and u say yeayyyy. and they say what do u do in chicago when it's cold out?
and i say:
- EAT A BIG HOT BREAKFAST. do it at one a these:
a) Lou Mitchell's Diner, which opened in 1923 and marks the beginning of historic Route 66 across the U.S. Located at 565 W. Jackson.
or
b) the Melrose Diner, up in boystown, located at 3233 N. Broadway (and right near Unabridged Books, my VERY FAVORITE INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE IN THE WORLD)
or
c) Ann Sather's, swedish cuisine, famous for their cinnamon rolls, located at 929 W. Belmont. a chicago tradition.
hey, listen, u don't eat breakfast, u crash mid-afternoon, don't blame me.
- go to the symphony. or the opera. or the theater. we got real good all that. probably better n u got.
- go to the top of the hancock tower and order a drink and enjoy the view. cheesy at it is, it is still totally fantastic. best views from a bathroom anywhere in the world. trust me.
- go see the ART INSTITUTE. u gotta go. see all the famous stuff. the place is impressive, no getting around it.
- walk along north michigan avenue and try not to go into the pricey glamo stores and spend money. but your ten dollars is well spent at Garrett's Popcorn, at 670 N. Michigan Avenue. get the carmel corn.
but the thing u will love more than anything else is:
- ICE SKATING AT MILLENIUM PARK. u can rent yer skates right there and throw yer shoes in a locker and GO. fantastic view of the the city and the famous Cloud Gate sculpture (we call it the Bean cause it looks like a giant shiny kidney bean) and u just feel so holiday-licious u grin yer rear end off.
so there u have it. there's your list of what to do when you are in chicago in january.
i can only keep u occupied from 7:30 to 9 p.m.... the rest of the days are yours, pals.
-s-
September 2007 - Songbook, ringtones, videos, photos and more!
A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN WERNER
september 10th, 2oo7, chicago
hello friends, and hope you're well.
there are so many questions running through my head these days... for instance:
- whether bush will actually send out the order to carpetbomb iran....
- whether obama can avoid further gaffes - such as speaking about arugula to iowa farmers who do not grow arugula and do not even know what it is...
- whether pomegranate martinis can be argued in any way as having health benefits...
- whether the cubs can hold off the brewers and the cardinals to win the central division...
some of these weigh more heavily on my mind than others, as you can see. >>>>
and i know i don't have my priorities straight. i know already. really, i know.
see you all soonly, and thanks as always for your thoughtful and supportive emails and myspace comments. i even wanna thank the guy who like blew up and hated everything about The Gospel Truth in his review on amazon.com - dude man, you so misunderstand this project - but at least you cared enough to write. gotta give you that. come to my next ark show, i'll get ya in free. and you will love what i'm doing next. i know it. oh right, maybe you aren't on the email list. well, if any of you know that guy, bring him to a show.
and there are so many great concert dates coming up. lemme highlight a few.........
- the sun is already sneaking south for its regular sordid little winter affair with the argentinians - and you know it's gonna get colder here. and you know you will hate this come january. and so you will want to get away on a Caribbean Cruise - take this one with me and the fun people of the falcon ridge/kerrville folk fests.
info: http://www.fanclubcruises.com/falconridge-kerrville.htm
- return to Seattle - at the glamorous triple door on sunday october 7th. o and they will most certainly have pomegranate martinis for you there, don't worry your pretty lil heads.
- up to Toronto - at Hugh's Room on thursday october 25th. do they even have pomegranates in canada? what the hell do you people grow up there (yes we know what it is in british columbia...:)
speaking of hell, heaven, doubt and all the rest: i'll be lecturing/performing/speaking at several colleges/universities in the coming months - participating in class discussions of the content of the songs in The Gospel Truth (the new record - of course you have it - you don't? omg! order here: www.susanwerner.com/thegospeltruth) if your school would like to add a discussion component to classes in the school of religion or literature or music or any of that there, please contact my manager michelle conceison at: info@susanwerner.com
Band Dates: i'll have my sidepeeps in tow at the Barns of Wolftrap, Thursday Nov. 1st, and the Tin Angel in two WXPN sponsored shows on Sunday Nov. 4th.
-s-
July 2007 - Summer Festivals
A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN WERNER
chicago, july 14 'o7
oh, friendz...
what a beautiful summer it's been already. right now it's so pleasant here in town, weather's great, on a sunny afternoon it's so lovely to see the boats with their sails like little white triangles tilting this way and that out on the blue of lake michigan... cubs are actually winning lately, hard to even think about leaving home.
and it is only out of love for u all (oh such sacrifice!) that i am heading out on the road again to virginia, maryland, ohio, michigan, west virginia, seattle...
btw are there sailboats in west virginia?
doesn't much matter, as we'll be too busy to sail at the Newsong Academy in Shepherdstown WV (very eastern part of WV, one hour from dc and baltimore) from thursday august 9th thru saturday august 11th. i'm on the faculty at this first rate songwriters' camp this summer, and looking forward to hanging out with u and hearing your songs, sung your style. read all about it and sign up at http://www.newsongfestival.com.
did i mention seattle? we have neglected you this spring, i am so sorry. now we're coming there twice in rapid succession, i'm so determined to make it up to you. i'll be at the Gig Harbor Festival (Harbor - one assumes there'll be sailboats, non?) on sunday august 26th and then at the Triple Door on sunday october 7th. and sundays are such a great day to come and worship - or not - by singing along with the tunes from the new record, The Gospel Truth. don't have it? omg! (we shoulda called the record omg!) click here for cd's and downloads and all of all of it - http://www.susanwerner.com
and speaking of sailing - or, a cruise -
announcing the kerrville/falconridge cruise! yes i'm joining the great people who run and attend the kerrville and falcon ridge folk festivals on the high seas (what does that mean, high seas? i have never understood that) for a cruise january 21-26 2008 from new orleans to cozumel, mexico. learn more, sign up at http://www.fanclubcruises.com/falconridge-kerrville.htm
and i'll let the official people take it from here, with official type news. but for the moment, the cubs are up 9-1 in the eighth over the astros at wrigley field, and the wind is from the south. good day for baseball. good day for sailing. at least, the fly balls are sailing out of wrigley field. now, that's a beautiful sight.
-s-
April 2007 - Southeast, Northeast, NPR, Mountain Stage & More
A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN WERNER
Friends (Quakers, Methodists, Atheists, Unitarians, South Carolinians, etc.):
it's been great seeing all y'all out on the road. a brief pause this week, because of the Nor'easter - enough time to do laundry and re-pack for a whirlwind tour across the SouthEast this week, including Nashville and Atlanta. then up into the NorthEast with the band in NoHo and Boston. (more details on shows below)
here's a few notes to catch youze up:
1) if u slept thru the NPR weekend edition interview with susan stamberg on the early am of march 31st, you can listen to it here
happy to report sales of "The Gospel Truth" rocketed up to #3 on amazon that week - behind lucinda williams and norah somebody, i can't remember her last name.
we reordered and reshipped, so if you're experiencing a delay at one of your local book/record stores, don't worry, it's all covered. more "gospel truth" is on it's way to local stores, borders, etc, soonly.
2) i was a guest on Mountain Stage in march; Mountain Stage is a show that has been very supportive of me and all my unusual creative endeavors. The show will be broadcast nationwide for one week beginning on friday, april 27th. the other guests for this show include Nanci Griffith, Brave Combo and Bruce Cockburn.
3) love SW with the band? me too. upcoming dates with band include the Iron Horse in Northampton MA on Thursday April 26th, and Lancaster Coffeehouse in Lancaster MA on Saturday April 28th. why do i go on about this? because when you have two backup singers like colleen sexton and trina hamlin (and wait til u hear trina on the harmonica - holy jesus) and a bass player like my guy greg holt. u know you're giving the best shows of your whole life. i'm not even kidding, pals. we will save your soul - starting with your rear end -
4) Maine, don't despair: stone mountain in brownfield maine was snowed out on sunday april 15th, but it's now rescheduled for fri april 27th.
5) i'm the featured guest this week on the nationally syndicated radio show "Art of the Song," which is an interview program focused on songwriting, yes, but more broadly, on the creative process. fascinating hosts, fascinating concept, lots of heavy hitter guests, and this week it's yers trooly, and honored to be.
friends, thanks for all your encouraging emails, letters, comments - this has been a very rewarding project. you are free to chime in at the congregate/protest forum on susanwerner.com, you're also invited to be"friend" me at myspace.com/susanwerner
-s-
OTHER INFO FROM THE STAFF AT SW.COM
HOW TO BUY THE NEW ALBUM
"The Gospel Truth" is available for download and through online CD stores now - and will be made available in select retail stores in April. More news on the store locations that will have the album to come.
* Download MP3s directly from SW.com >> $12 (www.susanwerner.com/mp3s)
* Order an advance copy of the CD at Bulletproof >> $16 (www.susanwerner.com/bulletproof)
You can also buy "The Gospel Truth" at iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby, among other online stores. But the above are the most artist-friendly vendors for SW, and supports small businesses. These links and more ways to buy the new music are at www.susanwerner.com
March 2007 - NEW ALBUM - THE GOSPEL TRUTH - NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!
A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN WERNER
The Truth is out!!!!! The Gospel Truth, that is...
And if I sound excited, well, I am.
I’ve been running around the country for the last year, going to church on Sunday mornings (waking up early is a commitment for musicians, let me remind you). From Nevada to Memphis to Dallas, and all across Chicago, I’ve been going to meetin'. These eleven songs (and it takes all eleven of 'em) illustrate how I found the Church, and the Christian Faith, to be these days: uplifting, inspiring, generous – and – fearful, bigoted, backwards -
so there's much to celebrate, and much to change, both -
It takes choirs and b3 organ and tambourines and bluegrass singers and dobros and sitars (yup) to tell the whole story. Luckily, producer Glenn Barratt had that and more on hand in Philadelphia, and together we made a big, BIG, lively, colorful record for you.
And I guarantee ya this, friends: thou shalt sing along.
Order/download now and you’ll know all the words by the time we get to your town (see tour schedule, below).
And thanks, everybody, for your support of this unusual project. The Truth - the Whole Truth - needs telling…
-s-
OTHER INFO FROM THE STAFF AT SW.COM
HOW TO BUY THE NEW ALBUM
"The Gospel Truth" is available for download and through online CD stores now - and will be made available in select retail stores in April. More news on the store locations that will have the album to come.
* Download MP3s directly from SW.com >> $12 (www.susanwerner.com/mp3s)
* Order an advance copy of the CD at Bulletproof >> $16 (www.susanwerner.com/bulletproof)
You can also buy "The Gospel Truth" at iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby, among other online stores. But the above are the most artist-friendly vendors for SW, and supports small businesses. These links and more ways to buy the new music are at www.susanwerner.com
