Janis Ian
-
The Essential 2.0
published: 19 /
11 /
2017
Label:
Sony Music
Format: CD X2
Fine double CD compilation whch is more than illustrative of singer-songwriter Janis Ian’s impressive 52-year career, as it draws from a variety of genres and explores multiple moods
Review
Janis Ian’s early fame began with the explosive and then-controversial in 1967, ‘Society’s Child’, a folk classic about a doomed interracial relationship, on which Ian refused to change a word, despite death threats.
But there are many more sides to this singer-songwriter. ‘At Seventeen’ spoke of teen loneliness and isolation. ‘Tattoo’ spoke candidly of the unspeakable. ‘Danger Danger’ is shockingly relevant today.
Her 52-year career has found her collaborating as a vocalist and songwriter with heavies such as Dolly Parton on ‘My Tennesse Hills’ and ‘Memphis’ on Willie Nelson and Bette Midler.
This double-CD collection honours her esteemed career, leaving out none of the controversies, whilst including those pristine melodies we can’t stop humming or tearing up to. There’s the stunning ‘Hair of Spun Gold’ written at twelve and which appeared on her debut for Verve, and ‘Jesse,’ made famous by American singer Roberta Flack, which has garnered major support from American military families.
Producer Steve Berkowitz (Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Paul Simon, Johnny Cash) worked with engineer/producer Brooks Arthur to recreate the sonic quality of those original vinyl editions. The product is also available through streaming and downloading; ian was an early believer in these formats.
A major surprise is the Extended Mix of Giorgio Moroder’s ‘Fly Too High’. Rising from the ashes of disco, sans any of the anticipated, extraneous fluff of that bygone era, Ian’s voice soars above the thrashing instrumental. The acoustic-flavoured ‘Stars’ is both ethereal and pointed, with an intimacy that echoes, like a satisfying secret between two old friends; ‘Love Is Blind’ has a film-noir quality that can barely be described—better to be listened to, in a European wine bar or before a blue fire. ‘His Hands’ offers a glimpse into a battered marriage; ‘God and the FBI’ rehashes the time in which Ian’s family was targeted by agents. As time progressed, Ian was probably able to see the peculiarity of that then sobering situation.
Four tracks were recorded live, allowing the listener to appreciate the value of these records, with others. There’s always a bit of a hush rising from the breathless crowds, adding to the experience.
If you’re a Janis Ian aficionado, you’d be a fool not to get this one; if you’ve never heard of her, even better.
Track Listing:-
1
Society's Child
2
Hair of Spun Gold
3
Stars
4
Dance with Me
5
Jesse
6
At Seventeen
7
From Me to You
8
Love Is Blind
9
Will You Dance?
10
Maria
11
The Other Side of the Sun
12
Don't Leave Tonight
13
Jenny (Iowa Sunrise)
14
Through the Years
15
Tattoo
16
His Hands
17
Fly Too High
18
On the Other Side
19
God & the FBI
20
When Angels Cry
21
Memphis
22
Days Like These
23
Honor Them All
24
Silly Habits
25
My Tennessee Hills
26
Marching On Glasgow
27
Danger Danger
28
My Autobiography
29
The Tiny Mouse
30
Married In London
31
Searching for America
32
Joy
Band Links:-
https://www.janisian.com/
https://en-gb.facebook.com/janisianpag
https://twitter.com/therealjanisian
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janis_Ia
Label Links:-
http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/sonymusicsouth
https://www.facebook.com/SonyMusicSout
https://www.youtube.com/user/essonymus
https://instagram.com/sonymusic
https://plus.google.com/+sonymusic/pos
Have a Listen:-