The always swinging singer
Ranee Lee chose to create a songbook of works written by Canadian composers and/or lyricists for this release, including some fare not typically covered in a jazz setting. Folksinger
Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind" works surprisingly well in an uptempo hard bop setting, while rocker
Bruce Cockburn's "My Beat" is given a funky treatment. Less successful is a bossa nova arrangement of
the Guess Who's "Undun," which collapses due to its vapid lyrics, while the strutting take of
Blood, Sweat & Tears' "Spinning Wheel" goes off track due to the addition of a dumb rap by Darrell Henegan Jr. However, the standards and jazz compositions are consistently rewarding. She soars with a brisk rendition of
Bill Evans' timeless ballad "Waltz for Debby" (with lyrics by Canada native
Gene Lees), while the McGill Students Vocal Ensemble invite comparisons to
the Singers Unlimited with their backing of
Lee in the amazing a cappella version of
Oscar Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom." Her lighthearted take of "Swinging Shepherd Blues" includes a bit of playful scatting and singing in unison with guitarist
Richard Ring. She packs an emotional punch with her powerful interpretation of "Maybe September."
Lee is in consistently fine voice throughout the date, which is warmly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden