Susan Wylde: In The Light

Artist: Susan Wylde
Accompanying Musicians: (guitar) Jack deKeyzer and Pete Schmidt, (bass) Alex Fraser, (piano/ organ/keyboards) Dave McMorrow, Susan Wylde, Denis Keldie, Martin Aucoin, (drums/percussion) Rick Donaldson, (sax) Colleen Allan, Turner King, (trumpet/cornet) Dave Dunlop, (harmonica) Jerome Godboo, Paul Reddick and  (backing vocals) Jasmine Bailey.
Sun, Moon & Stars Entertainment 61297-26877 (2011)
12 Tracks
Running Length: 45 minutes

 

Canadian singer Susan Wylde has the type of voice that is direct to the listener. Her lyrics are there for you and you can't miss them.  It’s one thing to have a voice, but another to use it to get those words across. Wylde has, and does, both. She has five of her songs on this CD, “One Real Man,” “I Can't Tell New Orleans Goodbye,” “Love Me All Night Long,” “Lovely Push-Up Bra” (done tongue-firmly-in-cheek) and “In The Light,” the name of the album. Other selections are from such composers as Hoagy Carmichael, Jimmie Cox and John D. Loudermilk. Wylde’s instrumental ensemble is first-rate, especially guitarist Jack deKeyzer and Pete Schmidt, trumpeter Dave Dunlap and saxophonists Colleen Allen and Turner King.

 

Stand-outs are “Love Me All Night Long” with guitar and keyboard solos and lyrics on “…make sure the blues are gone tonight…” “In The Light” tells us that the singer has “…shed my final tear…love of freedom of you and me…”  Hoagy Carmichael‘s “Georgia On My Mind” is easy-going and  with expressive sax work while Wylde tells us that Georgia is still the place for her to be.

 

Susan Wylde is making a name for herself nationwide and In The Light highlights both her voice and lyrics. She is a versatile performer and the instrumental ensemble is an added plus.

 

Reviewed by Marie Asner
Copyright 2011