Customer Reviews

Miracle Row

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I bought this album as soon as it came out in 1977... in vinyl. As with her two previous albums Stars and Between the Lines, I replaced it at least twice... Janis Ian has that rare ability to paint emotions with music. She gets down into your soul and she gets under your skin. Whether it's a message (Sunset of Your Life) or a mourning (I'll Cry Tonight), or the miracle of love (Candlelight), Janis Ian can write, sing, and sell a tune. Great arrangements by Ron Frangipane and Claire Bay's backup vocals are supreme.

In my opinion, even though "Between the Lines" is probably Janis Ian's masterpiece album, "Miracle Row" is by far one of her most interesting works. I know that she was dissapointed that some listeners just didn't get it! The hard guitar licks "Slow Dance Romance" and the re-visitation to her love for jazz "Take to the Sky", are such a departure from the 2 previous Columbia efforts that, indeed, some jaws dropped. I didn't quite know how to take it at first. Even though I fell in love with "Candlelight" immediately and thought, and still believe that "Miracle Row/Maria" is the best thing she's ever done, the rest took some getting used to. After hearing it about 3 more times, it became my favorite Janis Ian album, and still is. Keep in mind that "Let Me Be Lonely" is a parody of disco, and don't take that one too seriously! If you don't have this album, trust me, and give it a try. Some very powerful music! It changed my life!

I too found this album after being blown away and carried away by "Between the Lines" (BTL). And I loved it nearly as much. The rhythms are upbeat, and the songs finely crafted. It contains that unique blend of hope, sensuality, melancholy and pathos that is the mark of an Ian song, again showing her incredible talent and versatility. This is one lady you will never be able to put in a musical category. Transcendant.

Here is a look inside the feelings that are uniquely Janis Ian as she was free to produce a CD that wasn't impeded by commercial aspirations. The lyrics are original and are very catchy. You have been warned in advance. One of her top 5 CDs. Check out her Night Rains, Stars, and Between the Lines CD also.

I had three 33 album "records" of Janis Ian; Stars, Between the Lines, and Miracle Row. I was able to replace Stars and Between the Lines early on with CDs but couldn't find Miracle Row. After 30 years I've probably listened to Janis Ian more than any other single album in my collection. No longer owning a record player and having long ago sold the 33 albums I wasn't able to listen to the great music on Miracle Row for at least 15 years. Now I finally have Miracle Row on CD, burned it to mp3 and put it on my mp3 player. What a treat to hear the music that I loved and missed for so many years.

I am mesmerized by Janice's voice and she always has wonderful music accompaniment. Her lyrics are challenging and keep me coming back for more. All of the tracks are great but Let Me Be Lonely is my favorite upbeat cut.