Best Regards & Less of the Same

iTunes Review

Nashville singer/songwriter Suzi Ragsdale has a talent for blending craftsmanship with confession. Her two-EP set Best Regards/Less of the Same benefits from polished tunes and a cozy folk-country sound, but what’s most noteworthy here is the uncommon honesty Ragsdale shows in her lyrics. These songs are grown-up reflections on love and loss, told with a mixture of humor, sorrow and acceptance. She shows off her playful side on “Wishbone” and the Rodney Crowell duet “Trouble” and gets rocking on a cover of Darrell Scott’s “Full Light.” Overall, though, the mood is thoughtfully bittersweet, with the ruminative “Chorus Girl” and the melodically haunting “My One & Only Valentine” standing out for their quiet wisdom. Best of all is “Virginia,” a wistful sketch of Ragsdale taking stock of her memories and dreams. There’s a spirit of healing and renewal running through these songs, evident in “Take it Easy,” “Best Regards” and similar tracks. Highly personal yet quite accessible, Best Regards/Less of the Same is an exceptional effort.