Customer Reviews

Aftertones

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album did not receive much critical or popular acclaim when released, but has some amazingly excellent writing on it, especially considering that in 1975 Janis was 23 years old. Harmony on the song "Hymn" alone is worth the album, but you won't be disappointed with her obvious talent in singing and writing blues. Her sense of humor shines through on "Boy, I Really Tied One On" (recorded also by Esther Phillips). A few songs foreshadow her struggles and disillusion with the Business of Music, and the angst of the performer has always been a theme for her. There's real quality work here. You wonder how she can get better, but she does. Fortunately she stayed in the business and is still writing and producing quality CDs against incredible odds. Her latest CD "god & the fbi" will be released March 21, 2000.

One of the better albums from a master song crafter. Fabulous arrangements and engineering, horns, strings, jazz and blues influences. It starts out with tart take on Elliott and ends with a swell vocal ensemble featuring Odetta and Phoebe Snow. With salsa and torch songs in-between (including Love is Blind, a song that still holds the record for longest-running #1 single in Japan -- there, now you know). I never tire of this album, even after nearly 25 years.

Delicate, sensitive lyrics which characterized Ian's early work. I was glad to find them in CD form.

Janis' poetic imagery combined with her musical genius creates an album you'll never tire of listening to. Sure, I have my favorites, but each song has its own magic merits and portrays her true-life vulnerabilities so deliciously. Read Janis' comments on the jacket and you'll be shocked to learn she was not completely pleased with the outcome - although I can't imagine why not. Each song leaves me wanting to hear it again; there's nary a boring lyric or dull note in the entire piece!

This is an excellent, and highly overlooked album by Janis Ian. Everyone knows about "Between the Lines" and this one is almost a continuation of that piece. It's even more gutsy, however! The title track is breathtaking, with glorious string arrangements and really sets a mellow mood. Then the salsa stylings of "I Would Like To Dance" puts you in a very frenzied, up-tempo state, and even steals some of the theme from "I Dream of Jeannie", not sure if that was intentional, or not, on Janis' part! "Love is Blind" was a huge number one hit in Japan and on the charts there for months. Bluesly "This Must Be Wrong" is memorable and very sexy! "Boy, I Really Tied One On" is a cleaver look at one night stands with the wrong person, gender, who knows? Then, you're cooled down again with two haunting ballads, "Don't Cry, Old Man" and the beautiful "Hymn" guest starring Phoebe Snow and Odetta, one of Janis' childhood heros who actually taught her how to put on make-up! Buy this CD, there's not a bad song on it!

This is one of my very favorite albums. It is a fantastic album by the brillint songwriter. The only drawback is that the CD would benefit from being digitally remastered.

I was a big fan of Janis Ian 30 years ago, but then I had vinyl records of Janis.
Hearing the CD now is wonderfull, I remember every song in detail and I'm back into my 20's again. I enjoy it very much! The quality is good.

So sorry for the delayed review! CD is in fine condition. Would buy from this seller again.

If you love classic Janis Ian music, and you don't know this album, you have to get it.