Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

WIDE OPEN is an economy model CD. Equipped with a standard four-speed musical transmission: guitar, bass, drums, piano and enhanced by a high capacity vocal ignition system - Amy Jane!

For an economy model CD, I was surprised at the ear-room. Co-produced by Jane (this is her first solo album) and Rich Marcello, WIDE OPEN gives the listener a comfortable, but no frills ride. Nothing plush, no satin-phonic lyrics, no pop/folk high-gloss Cadillac sound… just a seventy-two minute ride - with “Rich and Jane”.

All of these songs (most of them written by Marcello) have been adjusted for easy listening and are a good test-ride for both the listener and Jane’s voice.

The real torque power begins on track eight: “Sweat and Honey”. This is a good song with good musical traction. And thanks to Jane’s voice and the percussion skill of Dave Freund, this song leaves tread- marks of music… embedded in the soul!

More traction is found on the song “A Different Voice”. Jane handles each vocal curve well, I call this: voice-activated-steering, with just the right amount of acceleration (drive) and just the right amount of braking power (punch)… it is a message song that Jane delivers - with a vocal fist!

If there is any fault with WIDE OPEN, it is that Jane needs to move up to a better ride. Songs with a little more challenge (vocal-over-drive) and perhaps a new transmission (something combustible) with just a little more snap, crackle and pop!