jonah werner

Concert Review: Jonah Werner

Nothing on stage but little, unshaven Jonah Werner, one guitar, one mike, and a roomful of stories and personality. And it's more than enough for a whole evening.

Jonah appeared at Christ Church Episcopal in Richmond, VA at 6:30 on Sunday, March 12, booked hastily by youth minister Jake Womack and well worth coming out on a Sunday evening for. His show ran just under ninety minutes, a non-stop hour and a half of songs and stories, upbeat and funny, peppered with pop culture and just enough evangelism to give it spice.

Jonah's style is a genre-defying acoustic folk-pop, often reminiscent of Barenaked Ladies at their best, extremely wordy and almost--almost--too smart. He squeezes his eyes shut, turning his face toward the ceiling and singing with the pure joy of getting to be a professional musician, then turns his eyes on his audience and bares his life for you with keen insight and flawless comic timing. From tracing the stages of adolescent romance ("friendationship" through "elationship" through "communicationship" and years past that long-regretted breakup), Jonah progressed into stories about his girl's spiritual awakening, into college, and back into childhood.

There's a thread of silly adolescent romance throughout his repertoire, a bit like Reggie and the Full Effect unplugged. Yes, Jonah's a Christian, evident throughout the show but not imposing, intimidating, or insistent. I'm sure he gets criticism from more conservative religious critics for the largely secular-comic nature of his show. He even has the gall to comment on the fact that a guy might like to watch the way a woman looks and moves--scandalous! But his largely teenaged audience relates, and the older audience members can remember what it was like.

As a budding acoustic guitarist myself, I noted Jonah's constant use of capo and unusual tunings, techniques I've always thought of as "cheating." I've been capoing every other song for a couple years now, and Jonah's got me thinking about tunings anew. His musicianship alone is worth coming to see him. Jonah coaxes, connives, and finally pounds an entire ensemble out of that little instrument: bass, drums, rhythms, and melodies emerge singularly or together, often while Jonah is telling a joke at the same time. The chord progressions start to get predictable and repetitive, and I craved a song or two of a more introspective nature, and the structure of the evening seemed a bit scattershot. But the similarity of the songs and consistency of the tone made for a remarkably even and theatrical set. Frankly, I can't fault Jonah for not being the kind of artist I would be in the same position. And when he started tapping the strings like Phil Keaggy, I was entirely sold.

Here at the PRM Command Center, we have no hesitation in promoting products, services, organizations, or people we approve of. Jonah Werner is such a product, a guaranteed home-run for the high school-college Napoleon Dynamite-Homestar Runner crowd, and delightful for their parents as well. Book him for your youth group. Now. But stretch out your face muscles before you go to the show, though: you're gonna be smiling and laughing a lot.
- PRM

To hear songs by Outcast, Five for Fighting, and Destiny’s Child you would normally turn on the radio. But to hear such a medley from a folk singer might catch you off guard. Taking a contemporary folk rock sound, Jonah Werner remixes poplar hits into his own songs for a result that is both witty and intriguing.

In concert, Jonah is one of the most unique and energetic performers on the indie scene today. Jonah pours out his life in an honest and relatable way, weaving his stories of small town angst and his misadventures in love into what becomes his personal soundtrack. To hear Jonah play for an hour is to know him.

If you can’t make it to a Jonah Werner show, don’t worry. His inclusive and interactive style is just as vibrant in his studio work as it is face to face. Jonah’s September 2006 release of his most recent album entitled “Better Things” marked the fifth album he has produced in the last seven years. With the help of Grammy award wining producer Mitch Dane, Jonah reaches a new level of artistry in “Better Things” that will not only reach the hearts of young people but will cause the music world to turn their heads.

Jamie Krafta- Musicians Review

- Musician's Review

There is much to enjoy on “Better Things,” quickly apparent from the first spacey notes of opener, “Sweet Relief.” Jonah Werner’s earthy vocals play nicely against the track’s stream of consciousness lyrics, and it’s more of the same in the following title track. Werner’s quirky lyrics provoke consideration, drawing eloquent images that prick your mind and spirit in a series of quick, positive jabs. Paired with the upbeat energy of his bright folk rock sound, “Better Things” is infused with an indirect but undeniable optimism. Simply put, it will make you think, groove, and feel good.

“Better Things” features many of Nashville’s finest, immediately recognizable by the distinctive excellence of their contributions: Mitch Dane’s hand is strong in both production and keyboard duties, Andrew Osenga’s electric presence shines, Ben Shives on piano jumps off the CD, and anytime Bailey Britt’s background vocals make an appearance, the track is greatly illuminated. Osenga’s electric guitar noodling under Werner’s descriptive lyrics on pop-rocker “Falling Star” adds richly to the mix, and the swirling programming touches and pulsating guitar riffs of “Needle on the Radio” beautifully illustrate the song’s portrayal of the searching heart.

The same is true of the fresh delivery of “Tomorrow,” its honest intimacy expressed poignantly in Werner’s languid vocals strewn across a bed of percolating rhythms. He is a master of juxtaposition and contrast. “All We Want” is an intelligent and compassionate look at the inner yearnings that drive our search for love; its bright pop sound belies the heavy truths of the lyrics. That same warm passion and deep desire shows up powerfully on the richly arranged “Miracle,” and the splashy “Meant to Be Free,” a bright song of desperate hope. But my favorite track is the masterful “Icicles,” a gentle song that also rings with hopefulness, as well as some stellar sonic touches: David Henry’s delicate cello and oh, that Bailey Britt! The adroit imagery on this lovely piano ballad is Werner doing what he does best.

There is a hard-working band of musicians and merry men (and women) in the community today who are investing their hearts and lives into raising the bar, musically speaking, and spiritually too, for that matter. Jonah Werner is certainly one of them. “Better Things” is a sure bet. - CMS c. 2006

A native of Colorado, Jonah is one of the more prolific singer/songwriters in the indie scene today. He has a storyteller’s eloquence and a veteran’s ability. Jonah is “living the dream”, traveling nationally and internationally both to introduce his music and to gather the experiences that inspire his songs.

It is rare to stumble upon someone so sincere and so well received yet completely focused on music itself rather than music as a means to an end. Performing for audiences large and small, Jonah has toured extensively. He’s headlined such well-known venues as The Boulder Theater in Boulder, CO, The Grasshopper in L.A., Metro in Houston, 12th and Porter in Nashville, The Gypsy Tea Room in Dallas and many more. Jonah is not just another guy with a guitar. He is a stellar writer, a gifted singer and an explosive player/performer. The common thread that connects all of Jonah’s audiences is his inclusive and interactive concert style- reminiscent of artists such as David Wilcox, Ani Difranco and Arlo Guthrie. He connects his songs with a central theme of hope and leaves no room for void in the hearts of his listeners. His throbbing contemporary folk-rock sound, humorous and thoughtful delivery and spiritual depth prove his music to be provocative and friendly to a broad audience.

Jonah has played alongside such artists as Switchfoot, Sixpence None the Richer, Pierce Pettis, Jeremy Camp, Shane Bernard and more.
Though he travels regularly, Jonah is reaching
ears nationwide and internationally through
more than touring efforts alone. He has now
been featured on six compilation CD’s, He’s
produced a top selling CD for Newcomer’s
Home and he’s released five of his own CD’s.



Jonah’s first independent release, Soul Set Free, made it’s debut in 1998 and was followed shortly thereafter by Simple Man, released in 2000. Receiving praise-filled reviews and boasting impressive sales figures, Simple Man served as a springboard, launching Jonah into a place of greater recognition. Jonah’s 2003 release “Derail” showcases range, polish and upbeat energy. It’s popularity has helped Jonah sell nearly 50,000 albums on his own, a huge number for an indepenent artist. Jonah’s 2005 effort is live and uncut. It was recorded at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, CO. This CD captures Jonah’s guitar skill and unique talent for story-telling in a way that a studio album perhaps never will. Now, with the release of “Better Things” his 5th and finest album to date, Jonah is hanging with the best singer songwriters out there. This album, produced by grammy award winning Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay, Smashmouth, Bebo Norman) has been called “masterful” , “spot-on” and “brilliantly fresh”. With the release of “Better Things”, Jonah is breaking new ground and taking it to the next level.

So whether you have the pleasure of hearing Jonah in concert, run across one of his albums or read his thoughts penned out in an interview- you will not be disappointed. This young man, with a stunning capacity for crafting powerful music, is undoubtedly going places.
- Adam Collins- WAC - WAC