The ‘Second Life’ of Suzanne Grzanna’s CAT’S MEOW is all grown up!
By CP Christopher Peppas
The adage that applies here, that cats have nine lives, can most certainly be used for the purposes of this review.
That’s because the latest drop from Milwaukee’s own Saxophonist/Singer/Songwriter, Suzanne Grzanna, Cat’s Meow XO, not only changes the complexion of her first hit song, it mirrors the arc of a career that has spanned more than three decades.
It was in 1993 that Suzanne penned, performed and first recorded Cat’s Meow. And that is somewhat of a misnomer as the song is more kitten-like than cat-like.
It is a light, bouncy and breezy lilt that’s as innocent and playful as a kitten with a big ball of yarn. Suzanne, herself, was just getting started and her innocence then belies the Sax Diva that she has become over the course of her career.
Prolific would be an apropos adjective. Jazz juggernaut gets a little closer. Suzanne would need a U-Haul trailer to transport all the awards she has racked up in recent years. Indie Music Awards, Josie Awards, Hollywood Music in Movies honors…you just know that a Grammy (Suzanne’s a member of NARAS) is gonna need some shelf space soon.
The second life of Cat’s Meow gives listeners an X and an O, a hug and a kiss from Suzanne. This kitten has definitely grown up and is now a cat. Still playful, but in a much different manner. Cat’s Meow XO is slower in tempo and takes its time to tell the story.
The sultry delivery of the lyrics and the flow of the sax certainly contribute to the vibe.
There is a lot more to this EP than just the fabulous reimagination. The album has four more originals that are just as evocative and demand your attention, whether you want to or not. Trust that you will most assuredly want to dig in.
New York Romance, is about falling in love in New York…or falling in love with the “City that never sleeps.” It’s definitely a bit of both. You can see the moonlight Suzanne references, hear the chirping of the crickets and see the leaves rustling in the trees.
Deck the Halls in a Minor Mood is a take on the classic Christmas carol unlike anything you’ve ever heard. It is more daunting than it is haunting and flips the script on the notes you were perhaps expecting to hear. It may sound the same, but it hits you in a whole new way.
Life is just a series of slices of a Moment in Time, as we capture the image of a point in time before it fades from memory. This is a stark reminder that we don’t know where life will lead us and we must remember to savor every morsel of every moment.
I’m not sure whether or not Snow City XO or Emerald Bay really exist, but we sure hope they do. Skating under the beacon of a full moon, strolling through snowbanks and then repairing to a fire and a cup of cocoa completes the scene. Almost makes one yearn for the next big snowstorm.
Suzanne enlisted the help of a Who’s Who of great players to go with her monster sax riffs and vocals. Scott Currier, who recently move to Nashville and the next level, plays the keys. The venerable Hal Miller and Jeff Silverman share duties on bass and that’s all you need to know there. And Brian Ford, Terry Smirl and Edwin Coleman III apply their particular skill set on the skins.
The recording engineers were Dave Vartanian of DV Productions, Mason Mazziotti from Mazziotti Studios and Doug Rowell. Jeff Silverman put on his producer hat and mixed and mastered the effort at Pallette Music-Studio-Productions in Music City, naturally.
Cat’s Meow XO is available for purchase on iTunes and, along with Suzanne’s entire “cat-alog” and body of work, is on saxdiva.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CP Christopher Peppas is a Journalist, Jazz Vocalist and Conga Player in the Greater Milwaukee Area and Correspondent at Large for the Jazz Unlimited Newsletter and Content Manager/Chief Contributor to CreativProse, Ltd. (sic), Social Media, Brand Management.
