Karl Werne
“This Little Notebook”
(Self-Release)
Talk about a great 50th birthday: Karl Werne releases an outstanding collection of introspective songs and headlines at the American Theatre. You could say it is a coming of age of sorts. Like a fine red blend of French Bordeaux, Werne seems to get better with age.
“This Little Notebook” holds 12 well written acoustic-based songs featuring a full band of rotating friend who happen to be fabulous musicians.
“Love & Fear” thrills the ear with Appalachian-like harmonies and bouncy lyrical phrasings. This, in my opinion, is a natural fit for eclectic radio programming. Equally appealing, like Werne’s voice, is the Americana-meets-pop vibe of “I Think I’m in Love.”
Other highlights include the sublime “From Here,” the blues-rock of “Shadows on the Wind,” the grooving piano-pop of “From This Height,” the trippy, psychedelic experimentation of “Brother’s Keeper” and the swampy title track where Werne’s voice is strangely enhanced.
Among the guest musicians: guitarist Tim Reynolds, singer Barbara Nesbitt, keyboardist John Toomey, multi-instrumentalists Scott Slay and Chris Cage, bassist Jimmy Masters, saxophonist Eddie Williams and “Stephan Lazar on bass.
Impressive. – Jeff Maisey
