Sarah Noni Metzner @ CMW 2007

Background/Composition: Folky singer-songwriter Metzner was making a name for herself in Vancouver, but decided recently that a move to Toronto might further her career. Her sound is somewhere between Joni Mitchell and Ani DiFranco.

Grade: 76

Comment: Metzner brought a drummer along, which helped to alleviate some of the tedium that tends to creep into solo acoustic sets. She was a little soul, a little gospel, a little country and has a lot of power in that voice of hers.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: G 
Pronounciation: E
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: N
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Metzner has amazing range and projection in her sultry voice when singing, but when she attempted to banter with the audience, she was meek and barely audible. A little more confidence could go a long way.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: S
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: G
Audience Participation: S
Sound: E
Composition: G
Songs: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Metzner knows how to extract every bit of twang out of an acoustic guitar and she's even decent behind a keyboard. The lyrical content was pretty generic, but the show was more about her and her sound than it was about the material.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: G
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: G
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: S
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: S
Actual Ability: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: She was only one person, but Metzner's sound was big enough that she could have easily commanded the stage later than the opening slot. Her performance was one of the few of the night that put a stop to the crowd chatter.