Suzy Bogguss
Swing

(Compadre)

T.J. Simon's #13 album for 2003

First Appeared at The Music Box, September 2003, Volume 10, #9

Written by T.J. Simon

Country singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss teamed-up with several members of Asleep at the Wheel to record her new album Swing, and in doing so, she capitalizes upon the sultry musical minimalism recently re-popularized by Norah Jones. Bogguss’ new effort features a dozen songs — all within the swing genre — but it’s miles from the boisterous style played by The Brian Setzer Orchestra or Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Instead, she and her co-producer (Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson) have chosen a jazzier approach that incorporates elements of Western Swing balladry and gentle bluesiness to moody and alluring results.

In the liner notes, Bogguss recalls her mother listening to Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald records on Saturday mornings while cleaning the house. It’s from this world that Bogguss finds her inspiration on Swing. Most of the album draws from the songwriting of others including Nat King Cole’s Straighten Up and Fly Right and Duke Ellington’s Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me. Five of the best tracks, however, were written by contemporary songwriter April Barrows, including the album’s shining moment Cupid Shot Us Both with One Arrow, a duet of Bogguss and Benson that repeatedly beckons the listener back. While nothing on this CD can be deemed original, it’s the perfect soundtrack for slow dancing with your sweetie in the kitchen while the spaghetti boils over.

Swing is available from Barnes & Noble.
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Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2003 The Music Box