Swing
The truth is that Suzy Bogguss, whose early music reflected her love of Western tunes and yodeling, never really fit into assembly-line Nashville. Rarely did her major-label producers allow her to reveal her true self. This time, she reveals nothing but that. Masterfully produced byAsleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson, she's at home with every tune, be it time-honored jazz chestnuts likeBillie Holiday's "Comes Love" andDuke Ellington's "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me" or fresh, witty contemporary numbers by Nashville jazz chanteuse-writer April Barrows. Benson, who duets with Bogguss on Barrows's "Cupid Shot Us Both with One Arrow," wisely avoids using a big band. Instead, he surrounds her with a small band of Asleep at the Wheel alumni--including pianist Floyd Domino and driving,Stuff Smith-inspired fiddler Jason Roberts--that provides a sharper, more deft accompaniment than any bigger band could. Liberated from Music Row's relentless pursuit of radio-friendly mediocrity, Bogguss has at last nailed it to the wall with this smart, elegant, and joyous effort.--Rich Kienzle