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Artist: Stephanie Ann Title: "Here I Am" Label: Ron Day Voo Records Available: www.stephanieann.com Reviewed By: Donn Jehs Rating:

Sweet, soulful, and sometimes sassy, Florida's finest femme fiddler's second album definitely says"Here I Am!" At times Stephanie Ann sounds so young and innocent you'd get arrested taking her CD across state lines. Other times she is a vixen who fiddles with your emotions. The title track is a ballad of particular power, an obviously personal statement. Liberated, 'ready to make a difference' she speaks to young women everywhere. "I Found Love" is a perky little tune that about love being right before your eyes, all you have to do is open them. It contains a nice bridge with Stephanie Ann showing her virtuousity with the fiddle. A plea for love "Why Can't You (Love Me)" is filled with emotion, a quaver in her voice just enough to hint at tears. "An Angel From Above" is filled with the joy and wonder of a love too good to be true. Stephanie wears her heart on her fiddle and gives voice to her feelings by playing on its strings, causing a resonance with yours. Mozart goes country. An allegory for her classical musical background, "If Mozart Played the Fiddle" is a display of her storytelling charm and her fiddling both. This and "The Plight of The Bumblebee" are two of the catchiest tunes on the album. The former has echoes of Charlie Daniels "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" which is not surprising as she used to jam to his music after hours of practicing classical pieces. The latter starts out dramatically until the bumblebee arrives via her fiddle and explodes into display of the talent that has won her competitions and a music degree.  The two ballads, "Together" and "Touch of an Angel" are ample evidence of Stephanie Ann's songwriting skills, using simple but effective language to convey strong emotions. Paraphrasing the childhood prayer 'now I lay me down to sleep' she creates a "Lullaby" both poignant and sweet. "Higher Ground" opens with the sounds of waves breaking on the shore and is a powerful metaphor for the struggles of daily life. Like many of her songs it contains an undercurrent of faith and the strength it gives to face an ocean of troubles. The album closes with a long reprise of the "Lullaby." This album builds upon "A Little Fiddle Action" (her first album) showing growth in her skills as a songwriter and singer. "Here I Am" - just waiting to entertain you.

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