Suzy Bogguss
Sweet Danger
LDR/Loyal Dutchess Records
A lot of casual music lovers might think Suzy Bogguss is just country. There’s some of that, but that’s mainly because there’s a deep well of good stories in the country songs.
Don’t sell her short. Suzy swings. Suzy emotes. Suzy has soul.
Sweet Danger is all about love, but it’s mostly about leaving. Heck, there’s even a widow’s song here for those who’ve had someone leave this way.
The album sometimes finds her somewhere between Carole King and Joni Mitchell. There’s even a little funky Memphis keyboard work and a rap in “No Good Way To Go.” “Chain Lover” compares men to cigarettes – a euphemism that has Freudian angles to it and one that goes WAY back at that.
Suzy also does a turn on Peter Cetera’s “If You Leave Me Now” that is refreshing. For my taste, the original is a good song, but after so many plays on adult contemporary radio over the years it’s starting to sound rather overwrought, so I appreciate this version. I’d rather hear a girl sing this song anyway.
Suzy Bogguss: http://www.suzybogguss.com
