Different. That is how I would sum up Ute Lemper. Her music is not your everyday affair, the kind of manufactured crap you would hear on your local radio station. No, Ute Lemper is different, a singer with a throwback to Berlin Cabaret songs, like that of Kurt Weill and French Chanson.

     Born in Munster, Germany, now living in New York, Lemper has actually made a name for herself on the stage in films, concerts and as the unique recording artist we hear today. Her work earned her the title of Crossover Artist of the Year for 1993-1994 by Billboard Magazine.

     Lemper has released her latest CD, But One Day featuring highlights from her current performances including songs by composers ranging from Kurt Weill, Hans Eisler, Jacquez Brel and Astor Piazzolla. There are even four tracks by Lemper herself rounding out the rest of the CD.

     This is some great classical piano-style bar singing music, the kind that would be the featured song for an old 007 movie. Lemper has a great voice, very powerful. She changes octaves with ease and seems to easily adapt to different styles if need be. Her quiet, soft, slow, methodical voice with alluring music in the background truly breathes a new life into a stagnant music scene filled with carbon-copy clones. This is music you can listen to, lay in your bed and listen to, not hear, but listen. Just let whatever thought come to your head and enjoy the music.

     However, some of the music just seems too deep and in other cases, words like dead meat and boo boo don’t fit the context of the style of music almost making some of the tracks slightly laughable. I don’t know Cabaret, but I do know music. I felt uncomfortable listening to some of the words with the mood of the music playing behind them. And a big holy glow above you/will probably say prick/you’re not in charge man/you are just thinking with your dick. It doesn’t sound right at all the way it was delivered-Ok let’s move on because I still feel funny.

     In addition, many of the songs also sound too similar. I think Lemper attempts this in tracks Buenos Aires, a louder song with more anger and The Ballad of Marie Sanders, and the Jew’s Whore.

     Still, this CD works on so many levels. I Surrender and But One Day, both songs from Lemper, are real passionate songs. Not just words. You can sense true feelings in each track. It is such a nice change of pace to hear music with true emotion. Ute Lemper may not be seen on MTV. She may not have a hit song that everyone sings, but if you want to hear something different, if you want to hear some music from a different culture, if you want true meanings in your songs and if you want real music; turn off your radio. Ute Lemper will suit you just fine. J. Lo, Britney and Christina are the flavors of the month today, but one day…But One Day…

     Send your comments and or questions about this article to JMinners@ybfree.com.

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