Susan Hodgdon has a passion for singing the American Songbook and performs one-woman shows at
New York City clubs. Her second CD pays tribute to one of the greatest songwriters of the
20thCentury, Cole Porter, known for both his music and lyrics. As she opens with “You’d Be So Nice To
Come Home To,” Hodgdon’s voice is immediately appealing and magnetic. She tackles the pleasing
repertoire of hits with contagious energy and without too many interpretive twists. Her
accompaniment includes piano (Daryl Kojak), tenor sax (Steven Frieder), bass (Sean Conly) and drums
(Dwayne Cook Broadnax). They’re exciting, lyrical players who impart emotional electricity. Hodgdon
and company give us a gripping performance from start to finish. Closing with “Ev’ry Time We Say
Goodbye,” Hodgdon’s incandescent vocals pull off this Cole Porter tribute with aplomb. —Joe Ross,
Roots Music Report
Susan Hodgdon is in love with Cole Porter. And after listening to her new album, “So
in Love with Cole,” many people will fall in love with Ms. Hodgdon.
Backed by arranger Daryl Kojak on piano, Steven Frieder on tenor sax, Sean Conly on bass and
Dwayne Cook Broadnaz on drums, Hodgdon sings a selection of Porter songs that range from the
tongue-in-cheek “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” to the debonaire “I Love Paris” to the heartbreaking
“Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye.” In each song, band and singer work together so seamlessly at times
they seem to be talking to each other.
Hodgdon has clearly taken pains to perfect her art. She sings each note with a carillon clarity. Her
articulation is perfect. She gives every word of Porter’s wise and witty lyrics its due respect. This is
especially delicious in songs like “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)”: “Some Argentines without means do
it/People say in Boston even beans do it/Let’s do it/Let’s fall in love.”
As for “Miss Otis Regrets,” Hodgdon’s sly sincerity emphasizes Porter’s sophisticated restraint. This
same sincerity contrasts nicely with the band’s bluesy “What Is This Thing Called Love.”
Although Hodgdon has been performing one-woman shows in New York City over the past six years,
and her CD “I Could Go on Singing: Susan Hodgdon Sings the Songs of Judy Garland” was recorded
live at Don’t Tell Mama, “So in Love with Cole” is her first studio CD. Perhaps this is why Hodgdon is
just a little too careful.
Good performers do everything right. But great performers take risks. Like Porter’s “courageous
kangaroos,” Hodgdon has to do it. —Paulanne Simmons
Susan Hodgdon entered the cabaret room of Don't Tell Mama, sans microphone, sans inhibition.
Hodgdon's voice filled the brick room over the live piano with ease as she brushed past the shoulders
of the audience and didn't miss a note of If You Feel Like Singing, Sing. Hodgdon's CD Release Show
for "I Could Go On Singing: Susan Hodgdon Sings The Songs Of Judy Garland" on September 24th was
a tribute to passionate singing and performing. Something must have clicked amongst Hodgdon,
musical director Daryl Kojak, director Tanya Moberly, and Bill Zeffiro, who contributed musical
arrangements, because the entirely of Hodgdon's show was a runaway success. No tripping or toe-
stubbing here. —Nickolaus Hines
To perform the songs of Judy Garland, one of America's, dare I say the World's, greatest entertainers in
a tribute CD is to tread on ambitious and dangerous ground. It takes a lot of chutzpah taking on Judy
Garland but it is with a courageous heart and loving spirit that Susan Hodgdon brings us her first CD.
Susan rises to the challenge of capturing the "essence" of Garland. She manages to surpass her gift
infusing each song with her own style of newness that may resonate with the listener. —George Strum
...Daryl Kojak, the accompanying musical director, did an amazing job. … Through Susan's
interpretations, we experience the songs of Judy Garland in a new light. My personal favorites were:
"Alone Together," "What Now My Love," and "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues." This CD needs to be a
part of your collection, right next to the ones you have of Liza and Judy herself.
When Susan Hodgdon enters from the back of the room at the start of her new show singing, sans
mic, a ballad version of “Silly Love Songs” (Paul & Linda McCartney), touching the shoulders of
audience members as she slowly makes her way to the stage, one feels that she’s ready to bare her
heart, talking and singing about her bumpy road to love. And so she does… The great Barry Levitt
accompanies on piano, giving her just the right amount of support without overshadowing the singer.
Director Peter Napolitano appears to have improved her focus and interpretive abilities, as well as her
microphone technique.
In the end, Hodgdon’s road to love may have been bumpy, but she gives her heart to her audience,
and her heart is every bit as big as her voice. And that’s saying something. —Kevin Scott Hal
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