Just You, Just Me

by Scott YanowRanee Lee is considered one of Canada's top vocalists and Oliver Jones has long been one of that country's major pianists. Although they had known each other since the early '80s, Lee and Jones had only recorded one previous full-length album together before Just You, Just Me. This quartet outing has seven standards (including quartet and duo versions of "Just You, Just Me") and five of the singer's originals. While Jones (who was coaxed out of retirement by Lee) takes many fine solos along the way, the focus is mostly on Lee, who particularly excels on the ballads, six of which are duets. Her interpretations are straightforward yet quite expressive, showing off the beauty of both her voice and the lyrics that she interprets.