"On March 1st, Ellen Rosner released her third album Count to Three to an SRO crowd at Schuba's in Lakeview, Chicago. The crowd, faithful to language as much as song, included poets such as Thax Douglas, Jaqui Wolk, Cin Salach, and Elon Cameron. The whole show was MC'd by Greg Gillam, editor of Fengi and erstwhile impresario for such groups as Sister Spit when they hit Chicago. Gillam introduced each act leading up to Rosner's set with a poem drafted just for the occasion."

"True, Ellen Rosner's new album is music and meant to be heard that way, but her own ties to poetry run deep. She's spent much time working at the Guild Complex. She's a regular musical complement to the words at Scott Free's Grinder series. Plus there is no denying her own avid interest in poetry beyond her songwriting. Rosner has hopped into many a poetry open mike around the city, to give the attendees a drop-dead gorgeous impromptu set. I remember a great night a few years back when she and J.M. Morea performed at Café Aloha, and all of us there were duly impressed."

"Rosner's style started a while ago like the Indigo Girls, pretty much the status quo for "granola" singer/songwriter/guitarists. But she has since evolved into something more considered, somber, and torchy. Not everyone can wear a torch song well, and Rosner knows that. She relies on her plain dislike for undue camp to keep her safe from going overboard. But there is an undeniable, persistent, and natural romanticism that permeates her music and lyrics now, and this will attract a few new ears. It's all about the charm, winning a heart precisely because the message isn't shrill."

Article © copyright 2002 POETRY CURRENTS Chicago/Midwest