Ranee Lee - Maple Groove (2003)

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

Personnel: Ranee Lee (vocals); Ranee Lee; Richard Ring (guitar, guitars); Mike Downes, Zach Lober (electric bass); Richard Beaudet (saxophone); Ron DiLauro (trumpet); John Sadowy, Brian Dickinson (piano); Dave Laing (drums).