Susan Cadogan - The Girl Who Cried + Chemistry of Love [2CD Set] (2021)

This Burning Sounds release can be called very special, consisting of two albums, each with its own remarkable history.
The Girl Who Cried was a 2016 project started in collaboration with Canadian producer Mitch Girio. Throughout the process, there was only telephone contact between Susan and the producer. He made the backing tracks in Canada, Susan recorded the vocals in Jamaica, overdubbing was done in Germany and the final mixing took place in Canada. Unfortunately, they couldn’t find anyone who wanted to release the tracks as LP or CD.
The bonus disc Chemistry Of Love was a JA only release. It was issued in very limited quantities, on the Mint label. Though the album was finished, it was impossible to set up a good distribution deal through legal means, so nothing more happened with the album.
After consultation with Secret Records, an agreement was soon reached to release both albums as a package.

The Girl Who Cried

The album has a 1970s vintage feel, partly due to the use of a Hammond organ and the way the drums are recorded. The opening track –Crazy– is a very catchy song, everything is right with this tune! The remix of this song, which closes this album, doesn’t add much value. We find a number of covers, including Nine Million Bicycles by Katie Melua, arranged and produced by Wayne Armond of the band Chalice. Susan sings a beautiful version of the 1974 soul hit Don’t Burn Your Bridges Behind You. Lay Down Beside You, the cover of the Joe Simon hit from 1971, is performed in a sensitive way, beautiful tune! Lorna Bennett’s Breakfast In Bed is also suitably covered. Not all tracks are winners, but we think I Don’t Want To Play Around, Truth Talkin’ and The Best Of Me are also worth checking out.

Chemistry Of Love

This album was a full Jamaican affair. It was produced by veterans Bubbler Waul and Noel Hearne, backed by accomplished musicians such as Sly Dunbar, Danny Browne, Robby Lyn, Scully, and various members of Chalice. The mood is a lot softer here, with frequent use of covers, of which we like Indian Love Call and Kiss You All Over less. The cover of Aretha Franklin’s Until You Say You Love Me is to the point. The same certainly applies to the sultry and sensual performance of Johnny Bristol’s Reaching Out For Your Love (Touch Me Baby). Her performance of David Gates’ Part Time Love is classy. Paul Cadogan, Susan’s brother, also wrote several tunes, of which Chemistry Of Love and Now That It’s Over And Done stand out positively.