Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
+1/2 -- Fine swing album mates classics with moderns, July 23, 2003
Despite having scored a string of country chart hits in the late 80s and early 90s, Bogguss never really fit the Nashville orthodoxy, having to forsake early covers of Patsy Montana and Merle Haggard for crossover material that made her a star. By the mid-90s she'd moved on to idiosyncratic (but highly charming) releases such as her duet album with Chet Atkins, "Simpatico," before taking a couple of years off to start a family.Upon her return to recording, she filled out her contract with Capitol, and began an indie recording career. This third indie release reveals, in startling clarity, just how brilliant a singer Bogguss really is. Not that her country recordings secreted the quality of her voice, but this all-Swing affair highlights how beautifully she can caress a melody, and how well she can draw out a lyric. Producer Ray Benson (of Asleep at the Wheel fame) smartly supports her with a tight, acoustic combo that's able to lay back or swing, as needed. Jason Roberts' violin is especially fine in its evocation of Stephane Grappelli, Spencer Starnes adds wonderfully lyrical stand-up bass, and Dave Biller's guest spot on "It's All About You" once again proves him an ace among aces. Bogguss constructs her songbook on a foundation of classics, including a playful reading of Nat King Cole's "Straighten Up and Fly Right" and a songbird's stroll through Duke Ellington's "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me." Smartly, though, she draws heavily on sophisticated new songs from April Barrows, Paul Kramer, and even her own pen. The resulting mood balances vintage timbre with modern emotion, swinging free and easy with the confidence (though not the swagger!) of Sinatra's early Capitol sides. Bogguss is much more than a former pop crooner (e.g., Linda Ronstadt, Natalie Cole) looking for fresh commercial ground, she's a jazz singer set loose. This set is the deepest and most artistically complete album of Bogguss' career. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gorgeous CD, a breath of fresh air, January 27, 2004
An absolute gem of an album from one of country's most under-rated singers (at least she certainly is here in the UK).Freed from the constraints of a mainstream record label, Suzy has come up with an easy-going bar-room jazz / western swing album that's like a breath of fresh air. The sensitive, acoustic arrangements mean that we get the full benefit of her clear, sweet vocals, without her having to strain above the backing. She obviously had fun recording this set, and loves this sort of music (she admits growing up to the sound of Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald). There are just three cover versions, from the likes of Nat Cole and Billie Holiday, but the new songs sit easily with them, and could have come from the same era. The only slight disappointment is the running time, at 37 minutes it leaves you wanting more, but at least there are no duff or filler songs, so I'll forgive her, give it five, and look forward to the next one.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Suzy Rocks! and Swings..., June 19, 2003
As one of many artists to break during the late-80's, early-90's boom in country music, Suzy Bogguss has shown incredble endurance in a shaky industry, which is now made up of nothing but manufactured stars who are here today, gone tomorrow.Suzy had consistant country radio hits between 1989 and 1994 ("Outbound Plane," "Aces," "Just Like the Weather" to name a few), and was definitely in the "alternative country" vein that was so popular during that time. All of a sudden, the tides turned, and country radio became very "white-bread" and narrow, and Suzy's winning streak at radio ended. She would have a moderate hit here and there ("No Way Out" in 1996, "Somebody to Love" in 1998) but it was her albums, which had become more experimental than commercial like her 1991-1994 releases (which were still very well done, and "left of center" compared to what was being marketed at the time from Garth, Reba, and George), that stood out. Every album that she has released since 1996's "Give Me Some Wheels" has been strong, creative, and each completely different from the last. Now we have "Swing" - appropriately titled after the kind of music it features. A good mix of western swing (ala Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, who produced the album) and classic dancehall swing, with only the smallest trace of 'country' if any at all. Suzy's rendition of Nat King Cole's "Straighten Up and Fly Right" is pitch-perfect, and her take on "Comes Love" will stick with you for hours. "Burning the Toast" is also lots of fun - those three are my personal favorite tracks. The rest of the album holds up very well and is well mixed. This is a great album to put on while cooking, or when you have a home-dinner date. And of course, it's great the cut up the dance floor with. It's a great companion piece to Suzy's recently released "20 Greatest Hits" if you're new to Suzy's music - so you can get the best of the past, and preview what's the come. Very classy and non-gimmicky. I highly doubt it will take Suzy back into the mainstream at radio, but frankly, all radio sucks these days - let's hope she does get the recognition she deserves, however. Do not miss out on "Swing" :-)
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