Missy Werner
Album: Turn This Heart Around
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 14
Website: http://www.missywerner.com

"I've got rough edges all over me / and I can't change even for you" possibly the most inappropriate line that Missy Werner has ever sung.

Missy Werner and her band are quite probably the smoothest bluegrass band that I've ever heard. In fact, on first listen I would struggle to put them in that genre but that's because I'm used to listening to 100 miles per hour banjo breakdowns, fiddle bows that are a blur and vocals that are closer to primeval screams than Werner's honeyed tones.

And it is all about Werner's vocals; they are a thing of beauty shown in the best light on the albums ballads; opener I Always Do gives fair warning of what to expect, Main Street and Wish I Was reinforce it. The up tempo stuff makes an appearance; the aforementioned Rough Edges and Snake In The Grass being the best examples.

There is not a total absence of traditional vocal harmonies either with Travelin' Light showing that the band are not only around for picking duties. But this is a band formed around Werner's vocal talents. This is a sit back in a comfy chair and listen album rather than one where you'd move the furniture out of the way for a dance.

John 'The Jacket' Hawes