Customer Reviews

The Essential Janis Ian

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This is an excellent CD which was released September 9th 2009. A two CD set that starts with Janis' very first song "Hair of Spun Gold" that she wrote at the age of 10, up to her recent songs like "Joy" and "My Autobiography". All of Janis' smash hits are present: "At Seventeen" long and short versions, "Jesse" and disco surprise "Fly Too High". If that isn't enough, this album has three rare cuts: "Ginny the Flying Girl", "Today, You're Mine" and another, beautiful, previously unreleased ballad "I Long For You". Many of the selections are different takes from the regular album issue. A good example is the stunning "His Hands". Read the Janis' 2008 autobiography to find out what that song's about. It's very nice to see Janis working with Sony in the U.S. again after all these years. If you're a fan like me, make sure you add this wonderful CD set to your collection. If not, acquaint yourself with Janis now, this title is a great place to start.

This two cd collection has something for everyone. It's a great choice for the person new to Janis' music as it spans her entire career from age 10 with "Hair of Spun Gold" to her 50's with "Joy" and "My Autobiography" And for the collector of Janis Ian's albums/cds, this set has the never before published song, and my favorite, "I Long for You." It even has something for the child in your family or the kid in all of us, "Ginny the Flying Girl"! If you're like me and love to know the story behind the titles like, "God and the FBI, or "Tattoo," a great accompaniment to "The Essential Janis Ian", is her revealing book "My Autobiography: Society's Child." Check out Janis' tour schedule on her website,[...]and find a show near you. I know Janis would be thrilled to sign your cd and/or book!

There is something magic about Janis Ian's songs. Most of us know one or two, often 'At Seventeen' or 'Society's Child', but the sheer number of top quality songs that this lady has written in a career that began seemingly in the nursery is staggering. This two CD set is the definitive introduction to a truly inspirational songwriter who can bring tears to your eyes or a smile to your lips (sometimes in the same song) and say something fresh and important every time she puts pen to paper. As well as her songwriting talent she is also a first class singer, guitarist and pianist, by far the best interpreter of her own songs, as well as a very fine writer (see her autobiography 'Society's Child'). In Janis we have a true multi-talented Renaissance woman, and such a lovely person as well. It's enough to give you back your faith in real talent, unsullied by music industry hype. This is the genuine article, beware of cheap imitations. You have an enormous treat in store if you aren't familiar with her less mainstream work. Janis is still a prolific writer and performer of songs and the work she is doing now is just as poignant and powerful as it ever was. The woman herself is as ageless as her music. Buy the two CDs, you won't regret it!

When I was in middle school and highschool between the years of 1991 and 1997 -while all the other boys were listenting to Dog Pound Gangers, Biggy Smalls, Tupac and LL Cool J -I was listening to Joni Mitchell and Janis Ian sing about what I guess they thought only teenage girls and women went thru. There were a few odd teenage boys who knew exactly what Janis Ian was talking about; in my case being a boy who liked the boys that liked the girls. Janis Ian spoke to me. I guess you would have to have been an outcast to really appreciate an artist like Ian, my mother was a cheerleader in highschool, she went to two proms, three gradnites and God knows how many parties in between. I ran across her highschool year book, there was not a single page that didnt have signatures on it, in a nutshell my mother was VERY popular in Highschool and she has no idea who Janis Ian is.

Janis is the most underated performer/songwriter today. This CD gives you a great overview of her talent.

I love 2 songs. It was worth it to get this CD and it came in great condition and promptly. Thanks!

I love amazon.They have the great old songs that I remember when things
happened that changed america. I am always happy with the products I order.
Laura

The title is true to the content: an absolutely essential collection of Janis Ian hits. And a perfect accompaniment to her autobiography, Society's Child. Highly recommend both.

I have been looking for Janis Ian's output here in Australia for years. I just happened to mention the fact to a friend who recommended amazon - the rest is history!
I had a lot of fun checking out availability, the prices are very reasonable and the items purchased arrived promptly and in great condition. I'll certainly be buying more music using this site.
Baz396 - Australia