Susan Marshall - Susan Marshall Is Honey Mouth (2002)

An ancient author writes, Words sweet as honey from her lips distil'd. And lord, we are such helpless drunkards One mouth dripping many voices Eleven songs as humble testament indeed Susan Marshall is Honeymouth. In some ways, vocalist Susan Marshall is a ubiquitous presence on the local music scene fronting her own band for regular gigs, serving as a prime backup vocalist for the local recording industry (where she's worked with the Afghan Whigs and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others), and lending her considerable talents to the work of other local artists (anyone who's seen Marshall and Jackie Johnston backing up Alvin Youngblood Hart on stage has gotten a real treat). But she's never put out a record of her own until now. Susan Marshall Is Honey Mouth (self-released; Grade: B+ ) marks Marshall's debut, and she'll celebrate the release Saturday, December 14th, at the Blue Monkey. As one might expect from a solo record by a primarily backup singer, Honey Mouth is driven by collaboration, but there's nothing wrong with that and all the collaborations serve to enhance Marshall's centerpiece vocals.

But Marshall also has a piece of the songwriting on eight of 11 tracks. The record opens with a bang on the John Kilzer-penned soul tune Eyes of Love, which has Alvin Youngblood Hart on guitar and builds to a gospel-style vocal explosion that has Marshall belting alongside Jackie Johnson and Reba Russell. Similarly, Love Me Again shows off Marshall's chops in blues form, this time playing off both Ross Rice's Hammond B3 organ and Jimmy Davis' vocal accompaniment. But elsewhere Marshall is more subtle. Act That Way, co-written with Afghan Whigs lead singer and local drummer Harry Peel, is just the kind of dark, romantic slow burn that the Whigs crafted at their best. Arkabutla, a sole Marshall credit, is lovingly understated folk-rock that evokes Lucinda Williams. Marshall beautifully negotiates Richard Ford's pedal-steel playing on that track, much as she does a pas de deux with his banjo on These Things. Other collaborators include bandmate Steve Selvidge, who contributes to several tracks, Jim Dickinson, who lends piano and Wurlitzer organ to the moody Let You In, and, of course, Marshall's husband Jeff Powell, who serves as producer and engineer for the bulk of the record. ~ Chris Herrington/ The Memphis Flyer

Susan Marshall Is Honey Mouth HUMONGOUS With a voice thick, soothing and soulful, Susan Marshall's solo debut is a stunning showcase of some truly standout Tennessee pipes. In the quieter moments, Marshall's voice is gentle and breathy, easy without lacking passion. But when she shifts into second gear, her delivery carries a dollop of Memphis chunk. She made a name for herself in music circles singing backup for the Afghan Whigs and Lenny Kravitz, the former of whom routinely gave her featured solos in concert. Honey Mouth returns the favor, as Greg Dulli and the rest of the Whigs make multiple appearances throughout the album. (Dulli even shares songwriting credits on the ethereal October Song and the enjoyably bitter Act That Way.) With Susan Marshall's powerful, unforgiving vocals, Honey Mouth is the kind of record that makes heartbreak and sorrow feel so damn good. ~ Jeffrey Barg/ Philadelphia