Why are so many of today’s popular singers seemingly oblivious of the power of restraint? In their hands, a song becomes little more than an excuse for tasteless vocal acrobatics, the singer attempting to exude soulfulness by indulging in the most over-the-top and self-aggrandizing treatment of the song imaginable. In former eras, masters of understatement like Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra conveyed a song’s essence with masterful ease, but seldom are we met with similar artistry today. However, one recent recording, the new Rune Grammofon release List of Lights and Buoys by Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, demonstrates that such nuanced singing is still very much alive. While Susanna Wallumrřd’s vocals are strong throughout, it’s her cover of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ that is the album’s peak. The song’s a desperate plea from one woman to another to not take her man away from her. During its four magisterial minutes, Susanna’s whispered utterance imbues the song with a palpable heartache that’s devastating. And most notably, these deep wells of sadness are plumbed because she sings it in a plain style that’s free of embellishment. It’s a glorious moment made even more special by being so rare.
