Present Company [Import, Original recording remastered]

Janis Ian | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 15, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Bgo - Beat Goes on
• ASIN: B0000248LP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,264 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Seaside

2. Present Company

3. See My Grammy Ride

4. Here In Spain

5. On The Train

6. He's A Rainbow

7. Weary Lady

8. Nature's At Peace

9. See The River

10. Let It Run Free

11. Alabama

12. Liberty

13. My Land

14. Hello Jerry

15. Can You Reach Me

16. The Sunlight

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars advant guard music that stands the test of time, June 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Present Company (Audio CD)

I last listened to this album in the mid 70's. It was a far more adventurous time. Janis Ian was in her early 20's and she was hard to pin down. You couldn't call her all folk because she could rock, sing the blues, and she had some of the best jazz session men playing for her. This album has been almost totally discounted. I know it was one of my favorites when it came out. It may seem a bit uneven, but she took chances in her song structure and she created some very inspired music. If you love her voice and her lyrics you'll like this album. It has a wide open style, the songs run together in a very intriging way. It's evocative of a less commercial time in the music biz.

4.0 out of 5 stars Present Company by Janis Ian, August 4, 2010

By 

C. Parker "CD" (usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Present Company (Audio CD)

Present Company by Janis Ian - Sixteen cuts on this CD from 1971. Prior to her hits of the mid 70's. Many young female singers should give early Janis Ian a listen and then study her 1993 and 1995 CDs. Starting out by her own admission as a "Snotty Teenager" Janis display here her talents of Writing and Performing. Her songs are well written and thoughtful, if not pertinent to her era. Now, go get and listen to her adult versions of her views and experiences. WOW! Breaking Silence and Revenge will impress you if you appreciate writing and performing talent of one of the foremost female singer songwriters of our time. Only a few write wonderful words and music, and then perform at this level. This music on Present Company is the beginnings of this Great Talent.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, November 4, 2009

By 

Alan Hotchkiss (Albuquerque, NM, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Present Company (Audio CD)

I have amassed a collection of Janis Ian albums over the years, but this remains one of my favorites. I finally found this vinyl at a thrift store for a dollar. I couldn't believe it! I'm sure the CD is on par as well. Even at the price on Amazon, it is well worth the price.

It's hard to place the genre of this album. Like other reviewers have said, it is a mix of a Blues, Jazz, Folk, and even a little 70s Protest Ballad thrown in. Her voice is top-notch throughout the record: soft and sultry at the right moments, but deep and soulful when it needs to be.

The opening set of "The Seaside", "Present Company" and "See My Grammy Ride" all flow together wonderfully, as does the rest of the album. Even if you're just a passing fan of Janis Ian, you need to pick up this album. You'll be glad to add it to your collection!