Karen Shane - It's Anybody's Spring (1998)

If you like your singing bright and cheery, brimming with exuberant confidence, tempered now and then by the warm delivery of a ballad, this album will fit the bill. Karen Shane's initial CD is a happy mixture of uptempo tunes sung in Anita O'Day style, balanced by slower numbers delivered in a style reminiscent of Susannah McCorkle and Sue Raney.

This maiden album is not limited to the usual standard material. There's a number of not too often heard tunes included, making for a varied play list. Shane is backed by a fine set of players. Although he doesn't solo, Billy Ross' boppish saxophone is very evident as he comps behind Shane on most cuts. Ross has appeared with performers ranging from James Brown to Woody Herman. Rick DellaRatta on piano, who has an album of his own to his credit, gets plenty of opportunity to stretch out on such cuts as "Better than Anything" and "Warm and Willing."

Bass player Harvie Swartz is no stranger to vocal albums, having appeared with Sheila Jordan and Carla White among others. He continues to demonstrate his ability to extend the bass beyond time keeping to a lyrical instrument in backing Shane. Swartz also does some notable soloing on the other song from The Wizard of Oz, "If I Only Had a Brain," as well as on "But Not for Me."

Victor Jones is one of the preeminent straight ahead drummers on today's scene and lays down a steady unobtrusive beat throughout the proceedings as well as kicking off virtually every tune. So Ms. Shane is traveling in good company on her maiden album and they do her credit. Pianist Rick DellaRatta contributes "A Little Song" and Shane shows her skills as a composer and lyricist on her "Be True to Your Heart" showing a potential as a songwriter to be reckoned with.

The words to all the songs are included in the liner notes. A nice touch. ~Dave Nathan

Personnel: Karen Shane (vocals); Billy Ross (tenor saxophone, flute); Rick DellaRatta (piano); Harvie Swartz (bass); Victor Jones (drums).