Customer Reviews

Stars

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I went out and bought this album when I was just 14. After listening to the inimitable "Between The Lines," I had to have it. I played it for ten years straight, and still do on occasion. "Stars" is Janis' comeback album (the '70s comeback, that is)-the first of several CBS albums that she recorded with a remarkable band she no longer plays with and with stunning production by Brooks Arthur (who also produced "Between the Lines"). "Page Nine" is one of my all-time favorite Janis Ian tunes. It's a love song like no other-simple, stirring, universal for men or women, straight or gay, young or old. It's a song that stays with you for life. Janis occasionally performs it live these days on guitar, but here she does it on piano. Who knew Janis Ian wrote "Jesse"-the song Roberta Flack made famous? I prefer Janis' rendition. She sings with more vulnerability, less bravura than Roberta, though I love Roberta's voice. Other standouts include the elusive "The Man You Are in Me," the epic guitar-vocal "Stars" (which Cher and others saw fit to record), "Thankyous" (a song dedicated to the love of one's family-something few artists ever sing about), the haunting war lullabye "Dance With Me," which juxtaposes images of a dead soldier in a locked coffin with dulcet piano notes that, inexplicably, turn jazzy, before fading into sad arpeggios, and of course, "Applause," the fun-house mirror image of "Stars." Richly scored for nearly 40 brass, string, keyboard, percussion and other instruments, this musical pasticcio also features a jazzy piano solo (by Janis) and was (reportedly) her first foray into orchestration on this scale. In all, "Stars" is a ticket to some of this artist's best early songwriting. It's clear from the material why this acclaimed writer/performer still has a vital career today and remains among my personal all-time favorites.

The title/first track, "Stars", is a starkly honest, lyrically beautiful expression of Janis' feeling that she has fallen from the success of her teenage debut. (Some say this album marked the beginning of her comeback.) It is not unusual for artists to write about their experiences as an artist, but rarely is this done in such a direct, literal, self-effacing and poetic way. The quiet, expressive acoustic guitar on this track underscores that this is a deeply personal song. The rest of the album is more upbeat, sometimes heavily orchestrated, moving through folksy and jazzy styles. Page Nine, as optimistic as Stars is sad, looks forward to living with a new love. This is the honest, heartfelt work of a great talent.

My brother said it best: "I heard the first song and I never wanted to play music ever again, then I heard the rest of the album and I couldn't imagine doing anything else."

This album is ridiculously well crafted, thoughtful songs and arrangements, a beautiful singin voice, and crystal clear sound quality while still maintaining the warmth of all the best records ever. After hearing it I was upset I had never heard it before then. That's only happened to me a handful of times. If you don't like this, you suck. Straight up. Don't talk to me.

It can be argued that Stars is Janis Ian's best album. With lyrics, vocals and melodys that speak to just about every emotion, this album is a true classic. It should be required listening to anyone who picks up a guitar and wants to sing and write their own songs. The title track is a simple masterpiece - just voice and acoustic guitar musing about the price of fame. Jesse is another classic. Can't listen to this one without getting a lump in my throat (even after all these years). Dance with Me is a graphic anti-war song set to the most joyous melody you could imagine. It's perfection. All the other songs are extremely well done and really show Ian's range as a singer and musician. Just buy this album and let it become part of your life. You'll be better off by having heard Stars.

The title/first track, "Stars", is a starkly honest, lyrically beautiful expression of Janis' feeling that she has fallen from the success of her teenage debut. (Some say this album marked the beginning of her comeback.) It is not unusual for artists to write about their experiences as an artist, but rarely is this done in such a direct, literal, self-effacing and poetic way. The quiet, expressive acoustic guitar on this track underscores that this is a deeply personal song. The rest of the album is more upbeat, sometimes heavily orchestrated, moving through folksy and jazzy styles. Page Nine, as optimistic as Stars is sad, looks forward to living with a new love. This is the honest, heartfelt work of a great talent.

This has long been one of my top five favorite records/cds. The music encompasses a wide range of emotions; from happy and joyful to the more introspective and dour. If you are a fan of well-written lyrics and melodies which are at the same time forceful and lilting, this is the cd for you. My personal favorite is "You've Got Me On A String", which seems to be missed quite often on record reviews. Possessing a strong sense of irony, the lyrics are quite to the point, and most women will be able to identify strongly with it.

This will be a part of my CD collection, and listened to with great enthusiasm forever.

This is quite possibly the best album ever recorded - by anyone. I heard Janis in concert from the second row just this year and she has lost nothing through the years. She moved me to tears by her beautiful voice and lyrics. Buy this CD and others from her own website for a big savings.
I wish there were more than 5 stars to give!

This CD is from her earlier years and is one of Janis Ian's best. The title track is haunting and prescient, very beautiful. In her live CD, she quiets the crowd because it's best heard without distracting noise. But the star of Stars has got to be "Jesse". If you listen to one song from this CD, make it "Jesse". The give you an acoustic bonus track of "Jesse" but it really doesn't matter. The song is just drop-dead gorgeous. My wife and I dance to this song whenever it comes on. "Sweet Sympathy", "You've Got Me on a String", "Applause" and "Without You" are all great and infectious tunes that will stick with you a long time. It's a very good CD to sing along with. I heartily recommend this CD to all music lovers with discriminating taste.

I just met Janis Ian at a book signing for her autobiography and for someone who has miraculous control over their emotions, I had tears streaming down my face; both from joy (I had wondered for years what happened to her) and from a rush of emotions from the days when I would sit and listen to the Stars album when I was a teenager and feel the lonely horrible feelings teens have to her gentle singing voice. She's a great person also - if you haven't heard Stars, you haven't completely heard music.

I bought this album when I was 16 years old and I'm almost embarrassed to admit that it was because I saw it displayed in a record store window and I thought the picture on the cover was gorgeous! A few weeks before this incident I saw Janis on "Mike Douglas" performing "The Man You are in Me" and "Jesse". I never knew that "Society's Child" was hers until later, I just remembered the chorus, and didn't know who sang it. There is not a bad song on this album and it's every bit as powerful as "Between the Lines". Her voice is better than anyone's I've ever heard. If it weren't for "Stars", it's possible that Janis Ian may not have turned out to be my favorite singer of all time. She pushed the Beatles down to number 2 for me, and that's saying alot. Buy this one, you will not be dissapointed. 30 years later and I'm still collecting gorgeous Janis Ian pictures!