Bruce Sudano (from the album Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies

Bruce Sudano (from the album Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies

Bruce Sudano (from the album Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies available on Purple Heart Recording Co) (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
Although he will be forever identified by his personal and professional relationship with the late great Donna Summer, and the hits he helped pen — “Bad Girls” in particular — his career as a singular songwriter who penned songs for such notables as Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire in particular kept his coffers overflowing and established him as a proficient artist in his own right. His early efforts as a member of the late ‘60s band Alive ‘N Kickin’, whose early hit “Tighter, Tighter” was penned by Tommy James, and, following that, his tenure with the group Brooklyn Dreams gave him a natural sequeway   into the world of chart triumphs courtesy of several top ten hits and a Grammy nomination to boot.
 
Though signed as a solo artist by RCA in the early years, he really came into his own with the advent of the new millennium and the nine solo efforts he’s released since then. His prolific prowess has found him veering away from the flashy Pop precepts that dominated his early career and moving more in the realms of a singer/songwriter style, an avenue he pursued early on prior to his later, more successful endeavors.
 
These days, Bruce Sudano coasts along contentedly. The opening track on his expressive new album Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies certainly lives up to that claim while reflecting on the fortunes he found early on, particularly when it came to matters of romance.
 
‘And I don’t care what anybody says
It don’t get any better than this
Your daddy’s car and a stolen kiss…’
 
It’s certainly a wistful notion, but it doesn’t last long. By the time he arrives at the next track, “Make the World Go Away”, he’s frustrated and somewhat fried, even though the fact that the song is fueled by funk might belie that impression. Otherwise, the album finds him dwelling on simpler sentiments — the romantic entanglement of “Two Bleeding Hearts”, the rumination and reflection echoed in  “How’d You Get Here”, the especially touching and tender sentiments of “Cardboard World”, and the emphatic expression that drives the soulful title track.
 
That said, “Navigating the Unforeseen” finds him delivering a nuanced narrative with a croak-like vocal, spoken over instrumental accompaniment that’s all but inaudible. Fortunately, then, closing track “Under the Gun” restores a more melodic motif, ending the album on a satisfying note while facing the fact that on occasion, one has to slow down if, for no other reason, than for sanity’s sake.
 
Fortunately, Bruce Sudano needn’t worry. He still manages to maintain his own momentum at a most prolific pace. (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
Listen and buy the music of Bruce Sudano from AMAZON
 
For more information, please visit the Bruce Sudano website