Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Before “American Idol” and “The Voice,” Shanice was thrilling television audiences on “Star Search” as a mere child, quickly signing a record deal by age eleven and topping the charts before she turned twenty.

In addition to her own projects, she also appeared on the soundtracks for “Boomerang,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “The Meteor Man” and “Pocahontas,” acted on TV’s “Family Matters” and Broadway’s “Les Misérables” (as the first Black performer to play Eponine), plus co-starred with her husband on the “Flex & Shanice” reality show.

Though her recording output was mainly during the late 1980s into the ‘90s, Shanice is finally returning with the widespread re-release of 2006’s independent album, “Every Woman Dreams,” prompting two briskly selling City Winery concerts in which she was welcomed back with open arms.

In the earlier installment, the soulful singer with a three-and-a-half octave vocal range, who could be considered a precursor to Mariah Carey, stunned with a pristine rendition of “When I Close My Eyes” to start and kept exceeding that already high bar for the next hour.

In fact, an early technical difficulty made room for an a cappella version of the inspirational “Silent Prayer,” normally a duet with New Edition’s Johnny Gill, which she once again slayed and should absolutely make a permanent part of the set.

Additional versatility came with true-to-form covers of Minnie Riperton “Lovin’ You,” her adopted Auntie Teena Marie’s “Square Biz,” along with “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” from the one and only Michael Jackson, who she even backed up in the studio.

Shanice and her four-piece band really got funky by “(Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance,” while the headliner further demonstrated an incredible range throughout the ballad “Turn Down The Lights” and the current collection’s rhythmic title track.

Her hugest hit, “I Love Your Smile,” was a natural place to end as everyone bounced to the breezy beat and echoed each refrain of an accomplished artist who might not have been around for a while, but picked up precisely where she left off.

For additional information on Shanice, visit Orcd.co/Shanice.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include Just Fine: The Ultimate Mary J. Blige Tribute (Oct. 31); Karla Bonoff (Nov. 1); The Smithereens (Nov. 2); Mindy Smith (Nov. 3); Eddie Griffin (Nov. 4-5); Chris Smither & Tim O’Brien (Nov. 6); Ron Artis II (Nov. 7); Peter Cottontale (Nov. 8); Devotchka (Nov. 9); Mason Jennings (Nov. 10); Rachael Yamagata (Nov. 11-12); Fun Lovin’ Criminals (Nov. 13); Peter Cincotti (Nov. 15); Ryan Montbleau (Nov. 16); Glen Phillips (Nov. 17); Keke Watt (Nov. 19); Beatles Brunch (Nov. 20); Kristin Hersh (Nov. 20); Tone Stith (Nov. 21); Kindred The Family Soul (Nov. 22-23); BoDeans (Nov. 25-Nov. 27); Natasha Leggero (Nov. 28) and Robert Glasper (Nov. 29-Dec. 2). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

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