Suzy Bogguss, Chet Atkins - Simpatico

When Suzy Bogguss released her debut album, Somewhere Between, in 1989, Chet Atkins wrote the liner notes, saying, "Her voice sparkles like crystal water." It did, but it also quickly drained away without leaving a mark. Bogguss has always had a pretty soprano, but it never seemed connected to any emotion or tradition worth caring about. It's only on her sixth album, Simpatico, which is co-credited to Atkins, that she has at last made music worthy of her talent. "You Bring Out the Best is Me" is one of the 10 songs on the album, and it summarizes Atkins' effect on Bogguss. --Geoffrey Himes Amazon.com

Too bad this one's Out Of Print

Here is a disc that will remind you why just about everybody loved Chet Atkins. Like so many other artists, Chet helped Suzy Bogguss get her start. From working together, they decided they'd like to do an album together and what an effort it turned out to be!

The smoothness of Suzy's voice is in perfect harmony with Chet's playing in that spare "just right" style he had. The production allows Suzy's singing and Chet's playing to be present in the mix and even to an untrained ear they sound exceptional.

This album is a good example of what's happening in music today. As good as this one is, it should be judged a classic and never go out of print. However because not many people even know about it, you have to do like I did and search it out from a second hand source. By my humble judgment, it was sure worth the effort. January 19, 2007

3.5 rating. Kinda misses the mark.

Darn. This album opens with a fun, jauntily stripped-down acoustic version of the Jimmie Rodgers oldie, "In The Jailhouse Now" -- exactly the kind of sound I was hoping this album would have -- but it soon slides into soft, over-orchestrated Nashville pop, stuff that misses the mark, as far as I'm concerned. There are a couple of tunes that dip back into the simpler style (and they are also pretty nice), but this is one of those guess-they-just-can't-help-themselves outings in which two talented artists who have sometimes-rootsy leanings let their love of studio technique get the best of them. These two are, indeed, simpatico, but it extends to the poppy stuff as well as the more traditional. Bogguss & Atkins fans probably won't be disappointed, but grumpy traditionalists like myself will find this a bit too goopy. May 20, 2004

"Simpatico" is Sympatico

Exquisite! Suzy Bogguss is at the top of this genre, and Chet Atkins' participation ensures that this disk is true gold. March 12, 2003

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