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Vega’s faithful have learned
the hard way to remain patient. Nearly half a decade has passed
since her last outing, Nine Objects Of Desire, a foray of
experimental noises and conceptual contours, produced by her
then-husband Mitchell Froom. It’s strange array of percussive
overlays and oddsorts audio-verite had more to do with
DNA’s looping of mega-hit “Tom’s Diner”
(along with Froom’s arty overtures) than her own personable,
contemplative style. For the devoted who’ve clung on, Suzanne’s
latest is a total break from that era.
Returning to her playful,
colorful acoustic guitar work and fluent vocal range, Vega’s
divorce from Froom was professional and
personal as Songs hints at the darker side of her eloquence. As
heard in the somber lines of the album’s initial single, “Widow’s
Walk,” the stormy relationship outlined in “Soap And Water,”
and the cloaked grief of “Penitent,” all painfully
articulate in their anguish. Yet, I’m more intrigued when Vega
draws out the poison pen for “(I’ll Never Be) Your Maggie
May,” an open note to the Rod Stewart luv-‘em-and-leave-‘em
classic that really pops a few veins with an anger seldom heard
from her. Bolstered by Rupert Hine’s (Chris De Burgh, Tina
Turner) supportive direction, Vega’s voice soars in a
commercially-oriented tour de force that’s massive in its
rapture, but incredibly tender and touching when the personal
turmoil begins swirling about.
A very welcome return.
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| Artist |
Suzanne Vega |
| Title |
Songs in Red &
Grey |
| Label |
A&M
Records |
| Reviewer |
Richard Proplesch |
| Rating |
 |
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| website |
Suzanne
Vega Home |
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