Customer Reviews

Present Company

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

 

 

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.

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.

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!

As far as I know, this is the earliest album by the great Janis so consider yourself blessed. The title song is haunting and is worth the price of the used CD by itself. As of this writing the CD can be found by Amazon as used for $7 or so. A real bargain. Buy it, enjoy it awhile before adding her later, more polished work and grow up with her.