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Suzy Bogguss - Sweet
Danger (Loyal Duchess)
Released: September 4, 2007
Damn. Suzy Bogguss is such a talented performer, and the stuff
she writes with husband/songwriting partner Doug Crider is so good, you
just want to gush all over it.
And so that's what I'll do here - but there's a "but" coming.
Most of the tracks have Ms. Bogguss' name on them, and they are
delightful, hand-crafted, four-minute works of art. To me, the track,
"Everything" is a masterpiece in every way - smart lyrics, hand-crafted
music. Technically, it's a gem, too. You need to be wearing headphones
to really appreciate it.
Verlon Thompson's "No Good Way To Go" is another nice piece - sort of
Like Paul Simon's "50 Ways" with a twist, and Ms. Bogguss' cover of
Peter Cetera's "If You Leave Me Now" is another winner, in my book.
Now, here's the rave rant - this is a very, very good album. There's no
rollicking hit, but it's a disc full of great lyrics ("I'm a chain lover
| Lightin' up another | Before I put the other one out"), good music,
and Ms. Bogguss' crystal-clear, spot-on voice.
And here's the "but."
The album is very different from the country hits Ms. Bogguss made for
(fickle, fickle) country radio back in the late 80s and early 90s. And
it's very different from "Swing," the last outing I raved about a couple
of years back. The note from the publicist says Ms. Bogguss "explores
her jazzy side" on this disc. I suppose that while most of these tracks
could find a home on a "Smooth Jazz" station, or even your local "Lite
FM" or "Adult Alternative" station, that's not likely to happen.
Mary Chapin Carpenter has been doing this kind of music for years, and I
can rant all I want about her lack of "hits," but truth is she built her
fan base to the point where she can tell record companies (and people
like me) to get lost.
But you see the problem, right? Where will this one get airplay, so that
more people can hear it, and discover they like it?
Perhaps Ms. Bogguss should stop "exploring," make the music she loves,
and stand still long enough for people to find her.
I don't much care what it is - country, swing or "jazzy," with her
voice, and the talented people around her - I'd listen.
But hey. I just write about this stuff. Ms. Bogguss and the crew are
making it, and deserve to make it any way they like.
I'll just shut up and listen.
And enjoy it. Because it's very, very good stuff.
Very highly recommended.
  Three
and one-half microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(07/14/07) |
