JENNIFER LEE

GLIMPSE

SBE Records

Jennifer Lee, vocals/piano/guitar/composer; Peter Sprague, guitar; Adam Shulman, piano/Fender Rhodes; Gunnar Biggs, acoustic bass; Duncan Moore, drums; Tommy Aros, percussion; Tripp Sprague, saxophone; Derek Cannon, trumpet; Rich Kuhns, accordion; Randy Brecker, Flugelhorn; Justin Grinnell, electric bass; Doug Pohorski, acoustic bass; Anton Schwartz, saxophone; John Wiitala, acoustic bass; Vince Lateano, drums.

Jennifer Lee has a refreshing, comfortable vocal style. She soars as a composer on this, her fourth album release. Originally raised in Redwood City, California, this artist teamed with master guitarist, Peter Sprague to produce a very impressive album of mostly original songs. The two musicians met 24 years ago and have been musical partners ever since.

“No words are adequate to express how lucky I feel to get to work with Peter. He’s incredibly skillful and creative as a guitarist, recording engineer, arranger and producer,” Lee says.

Her voice reminds me of Brazilian singers, light, warm and comforting.  Jennifer Lee also knows how to swing and has a lovely melodic way of penning her original music.  You hear that on her opening tune called “I Caught a Glimpse of Your Soul.”  Vocalist Lee is competent on piano and guitar with a cool knack for writing wonderful lyrics.

I find myself bobbing and weaving at my computer as I type and listen to “Farewell to Comfort.”  Jennifer Lee checks all the boxes.  On a song titled “Dave Don’t Mind the Rain” she sings the blues with ease and believability.  Lee can swing, she can sing the blues, and she knows how to sell a song. Her cover of the Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg tune from The Wiz, “If I Only Had a Brain,” is arranged as a ballad. She accompanied herself on piano.  Her song “Serendipity” is back to a Brazilian music arrangement that comfortably suits her vocal style.

Her album, “Glimpse,” is dedicated to Lee’s husband, George Sevison. She sings about him on the opening tune that I liked so much, “I Caught a Glimpse of Your Soul” and also on “Vivid Technicolor Love.”  In fact, she has written five of the nine songs on this album to tribute him and their love. Sometimes she interjects melodious harmonies, overdubbing her voice like background singers. It’s a nice touch. This album is full of well-written compositions and musical messages. She has grown immensely since her first two recordings. The first called “Jaywalkin’” was released in 2003.  Another, “My Shining Hour” was released in 2018, where she previewed her songwriting talents.

As this current album continues to elevate her talents from vocalist, arranger, and song interpreter up a notch to composer and lyricist, “Glimpse” may be her best recording to date.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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