Janis Ian: The Essential 2.0 (CD X2 on Sony Music)

Band: Janis Ian
Label: Sony Music
Title: The Essential 2.0

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Band:Janis Ian
Title:The Essential 2.0
Reviewed By:Lisa Torem
Date Published:19/11/2017

Label:Sony Music
Format:CD X2
Release Year:2017
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Janis Ian’s early fame began with the explosive and then-controversial in 1967, ‘Society’s Child’, a folk classic about a doomed interracial relationship, on which Ian refused to change a word, despite death threats.

But there are many more sides to this singer-songwriter. ‘At Seventeen’ spoke of teen loneliness and isolation. ‘Tattoo’ spoke candidly of the unspeakable. ‘Danger Danger’ is shockingly relevant today.

Her 52-year career has found her collaborating as a vocalist and songwriter with heavies such as Dolly Parton on ‘My Tennesse Hills’ and ‘Memphis’ on Willie Nelson and Bette Midler.

This double-CD collection honours her esteemed career, leaving out none of the controversies, whilst including those pristine melodies we can’t stop humming or tearing up to. There’s the stunning ‘Hair of Spun Gold’ written at twelve and which appeared on her debut for Verve, and ‘Jesse,’ made famous by American singer Roberta Flack, which has garnered major support from American military families.

Producer Steve Berkowitz (Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Paul Simon, Johnny Cash) worked with engineer/producer Brooks Arthur to recreate the sonic quality of those original vinyl editions. The product is also available through streaming and downloading; ian was an early believer in these formats.

A major surprise is the Extended Mix of Giorgio Moroder’s ‘Fly Too High’. Rising from the ashes of disco, sans any of the anticipated, extraneous fluff of that bygone era, Ian’s voice soars above the thrashing instrumental. The acoustic-flavoured ‘Stars’ is both ethereal and pointed, with an intimacy that echoes, like a satisfying secret between two old friends; ‘Love Is Blind’ has a film-noir quality that can barely be described—better to be listened to, in a European wine bar or before a blue fire. ‘His Hands’ offers a glimpse into a battered marriage; ‘God and the FBI’ rehashes the time in which Ian’s family was targeted by agents. As time progressed, Ian was probably able to see the peculiarity of that then sobering situation.

Four tracks were recorded live, allowing the listener to appreciate the value of these records, with others. There’s always a bit of a hush rising from the breathless crowds, adding to the experience.

If you’re a Janis Ian aficionado, you’d be a fool not to get this one; if you’ve never heard of her, even better.

Track Listing:

01) Society's Child
02) Hair of Spun Gold
03) Stars
04) Dance with Me
05) Jesse
06) At Seventeen
07) From Me to You
08) Love Is Blind
09) Will You Dance?
10) Maria
11) The Other Side of the Sun
12) Don't Leave Tonight
13) Jenny (Iowa Sunrise)
14) Through the Years
15) Tattoo
16) His Hands
17) Fly Too High
18) On the Other Side
19) God & the FBI
20) When Angels Cry
21) Memphis
22) Days Like These
23) Honor Them All
24) Silly Habits
25) My Tennessee Hills
26) Marching On Glasgow
27) Danger Danger
28) My Autobiography
29) The Tiny Mouse
30) Married In London
31) Searching for America
32) Joy

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Related Links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janis_Ian
https://en-gb.facebook.com/janisianpage/
https://twitter.com/therealjanisian
https://www.janisian.com/

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Fine double CD compilation whch is more than illustrative of singer-songwriter Janis Ian’s impressive 52-year career, as it draws from a variety of genres and explores multiple moods

Janis Ian:Interview
American singer-songwriter Janis Ian talks to Lisa Torem about 'The Essential 2.0', her new double CD of remasters which spans her entire career.

Janis Ian:Interview
Lisa Torem interviews Janis Ian about the highlights of her five-plus decade career as a singer-songwriter, author and narrator

Janis Ian:Interview
In our second interview with her, influential singer-songwriter Janis Ian talks to Lisa Torem about her latest musical releases and her expanding interest in other aspects of writing

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The Essential 2.0 - CD X2
Fine double CD compilation whch is more than illustrative of singer-songwriter Janis Ian’s impressive 52-year career, as it draws from a variety of genres and explores multiple moods

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