A supremely versatile musical force who has deftly balanced her 15-year solo career with songwriting and producing for major artists ( , ), finally gets around to fully producing one of her own projects -- to both heartfelt and rousing effect -- on the poignant and poetic yet frequently quirky . Considering that her previous collection, , was helmed by famed producer , taking full charge was a risky mission, but one she delivers beautifully on with the help of top musicians (a guitarist who frequently accompanies on the road), drummer , and bassist . The set begins with the whimsical, percussive first single "Me After You" -- about the one she leaves emerging something of the victor -- before resigns herself to accepting a little less from the next guy, meeting him emotionally in "The Middle." While most of the tracks are in the classic singer/songwriter style, with varying tempos and sparse arrangements, the focus is on her incisive and witty lyrics; one stylistic exception is the horn-splashed, deliriously jazzy "I See Cecelia," which she wrote with her father, songwriter (and the album's mixer) . The jazz vibe continues on an all-instrumental remix of the track "Buy My Love" featuring herself on sax and horn arrangements (the original version features her vocals). Another unique track is the inspirational "Standing Out in a Crowd," a tune originally recorded in a more lighthearted fashion by . 's darkness in the verses adds a depth that takes the song to a level 's (still good) version doesn't approach. No need to on this solid, diverse effort, which will make 's fans hungrier for more jazzy touches in the future. ~ Jonathan Widran