Customer Reviews

Bottom Line Encore Collection

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

 

 

I enjoyed this album even though the quality of the sound isn't all that great and the backup singers are sometimes flat. Really off key. But the interview and extra live songs of "At Seventeen" and "Society's Child" at the end of the album make up for any of that. As always, Janis gives and gives. You'll enjoy this album if you like live albums. Yes, we would like a current live album, but just more of Janis is the most important thing.

Janis Ian has excelled at every aspect of her music. Whether alone with a guitar or at the keyboards, harmonizing with one or two other voices, or backed by full orchestration and production, she has proven herself a virtuoso. The Bottom Line Collection takes the fan back to a critical time in her career and development, capturing the warmth and humanity that so characterize her musical ability. As a writer and a performer Janis Ian has few equals...that fact shows on this disc. It is an essential part of any Janis Ian collection. (BTW - word is that the "live" disc is in the works!)

This album dates from 1979/1980, when Ian was having huge success overseas and less so in the USA. Unfortunately, due to the Bottom Line's recording methods (could it really have been cassette?!), the fidelity is just all right. It's an interesting illustration of where Ian was at that time, and her use of backing vocals is exquisite. However, I wish she'd make good on her long-threatened "current live album", because since she's been touring solo her guitar work and vocals have become something to reckon with! Still, it's apparent why Chet Atkins cites her as "a genius" and people like Michael Hedges bowed before her playing skills (even if her guitar work is only beginning to develope here). The songs are much what you would expect, the stage rap is non-existent - all in all I'd prefer something more current.

There should be a WARNING with this CD of the horrid audience NOISE that interfers with her singing. And the applause is way over the top, hooting and whistling makes the cd hard to listen to. I am hugely disappointed.

I've been a fan of professional ansgt for years. In a way she reminds me of Dinah Washington in her "Drinking Again" period! This takes be back tearfully through past mistakes and I hope it is therapuetic!