Love Is Never Out of Season

Laura Welland has a direct and simple approach as a singer, sticking close to the melody and the lyrics while swinging lightly. The key to the success of this CD, her first effort as a vocalist (she also plays trumpet, piano, and bass though not here) is that Welland picked superior songs and lets the music speak for itself. Joined by a top-notch rhythm section (Bill Mays or on three occasions Larry Fuller on piano, bassist John Clayton, and drummer Joe LaBarbera), she mostly sticks to swing standards with the only departure being the fine obscurity "Love Is Never out of Season." Although there are no real surprises, the music is pleasing and easy to enjoy, a solid debut.