Suzy Bogguss

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Amazon

During the late eighties and early nineties, Suzy Bogguss was a bona fide country music star, with several big hit records to her name. However, as Bogguss grew older both she and mainstream country grew in opposite directions. Her music became more mature and pop in nature, while country embraced a more youthful, rock aura. Her latest effort is straight up adult contemporary without a trace of twang. Bogguss’ rich, smoky voice seems well-suited to the material (about half of it co-written by her). While old fans may be disappointed, this should find Bogguss a new audience that enjoys sophisticated tunes that would seem at home in classy nightclub. There’s something almost Parisian about the attitude here. She sings mostly about taking chances on love, and the best songs are the ones that suggest an element of danger (such as the title track). The more syrupy cuts teeter to close to Barry Manilow territory, such as her cover of Chicago’s swarmy “If You Leave Me Now”. It may be pretty and heartfelt, but schmaltz is schmaltz.

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