I first heard of Susan Cattaneo when she performed in the music of Muscle Shoals, Alabama show last December. I was quite impressed when I heard her perform songs written by others; I am even more impressed with Susan’s songwriting, as evidenced by her newly-released album, “Haunted Heart”.

Susan Cattaneo – photo by Jyoti Sackett

Susan is a songwriting professor at Berklee College of Music. This is the first album for which she wrote all of the songs, and it’s stunning.

Susan’s musical style has moved away from modern country into solid Americana.  It is her lyrics that make her stand out. Susan went through a significant trauma a few years ago (saving the life of someone who was critically injured in her home) and that seems to have caused her music to become more intensely personal.

Haunted Heart Album Cover – photo by Sarah Gensert

I was immediately struck by the song “Worth the Whiskey” which is now my personal anthem. Yes, I drink whiskey. But the song, the chorus of which follows, is something that could have been written about parts of my life.

“Cause I’m worth the whiskey
Take a sip for every time you lied and kissed me
I was the best you ever had
Now, I’m never coming back,
So every time you feel the burn, I hope you miss me”
Cause I’m worth the whiskey”

There are a number of excellent musicians backing Susan on “Haunted Heart”:  Duke Levine, Lyle Brewer, Richard Gates, and Marco Giovino, to name a few.

Some of the songs are slow, ballad-y numbers (“John Brown” and “Haunted Heart”) while others rock a bit harder (“Worth the Whiskey” and “Lorelei”).  Songs such as “Done Better” tear at my heart. There isn’t a weak song on the album.

You won’t be disappointed if (or should I say when) you add this album to your collection.

Thanks to Susan Cattaneo for providing this album. All opinions are my own.