Vienna Naked is the album in which noted jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel takes the brave step of not only penning all 14 songs, but actually singing them too. Muthspiel has, of course, been writing songs for an age – both for his own bands and for other singers including Rebekka Bakken – but this intimate song cycle represents new ground.

The songs contain some delightful harmonic twists and turns and a plethora of memorable hooks, ‘Matteo’ being the prime example. While Muthspiel can certainly hold a tune and the material has been written with his own range in mind, you can't help wondering what the songs would sound like delivered by a slightly more characterful voice. Whenever Muthspiel stacks up the harmonies, as on ‘Another Round’, ‘She Won’t Give Up' and Carry Her Over The Water', it gives the album a welcome lift. Just when you're getting used to the rather folky, James Tayloresque approach, the guitarist clicks on the distortion pedal for ‘Empty House’, simultaneously delivering his most impassioned vocal of the album.