Ranee Lee Lives Upstairs
Ranee Lee
Justin Time JUST 230-2 (www.myspace.com/raneeleemusic)
The multi-talented Brooklyn-born, Montréal-based singer, actor, dancer, author and television host Ranee Lee is a recent recipient of the Order of Canada (2006). Notably, she began her musical career touring North America in the 1970’s as a drummer and tenor saxophonist. Wearing the vocalist hat, Lee has always exhibited a fervent loyalty both to the jazz tradition and its regal torch-bearers; captured live at Montréal’s premier jazz clubs UPSTAIRS, her 10th release on the Justin Time label is no exception.
Recalling both Ella and Sarah, she has selected a very effective, sympathetic rhythm section that always supports and never overpowers her: Richard Ring on guitar, John Sadowy on piano, Morgan Moore on bass and Dave Laing on drums. The program is comprised mostly of love-themed standards such as Beautiful Love, In Love In Vain and I Just Found Out About Love, spiced up by unique choices such as James Taylor's Fire and Rain and Pat Metheny's Crooked Road. One of the highlights is a medley from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess that starts tenderly with I Loves You Porgy and concludes memorably with a beautifully phrased Summertime. The latter is a testament to Lee's artistry, as she takes admirable risks, playing with the song's musical possibilities without ever compromising its meaning. That the audience reacts most enthusiastically to her original blues The Storm is a genuine compliment. This recording is rightfully among the nominees for this month’s Juno Awards in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Album.
