Search - Janet Jackson :: If

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Steven Phagan | Palm Springs, CA USA | 04/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1. If (Brothers In Rhythm House Mix) 7:12
2. If (Brothers In Rhythm Swing Yo Pants Mix) 6:22
3. If (Tee's Freeze Mix) 6:42
4. If (Extended Mix) 5:41
5. If (TNT Bass Mix) 5:41
6. If (D&D 12'' Mix) 5:49
7. If (Short Single Edit) 3:07
8. One More Chance 5:54"

"One More Chance" is MARVELOUS!

Distant Voyageur | Io | 05/17/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The song "If" is a great classic with a great, creative, if somewhat scandalous video that is among my favorites by Janet. All of the remixes of this song are very good and distinct, almost to the point that they could've been separate songs altogether, the only thing in common is the vocal patterns of the original version on the "Janet" album. Besides the "Extended" and "7-inch" versions which are basically the album versions that are extended and shortened, my favorite versions are the D&D 12' House Mix which almost stands in contrast to the original album version. While the original is notorious (to some) for it's semi-raunchy theme, the D&D 12" House Mix has a much mellower, much jazzier, and much cooler, even autumn-like quality that is very different from the original. Had it not been for being a remix, I would've mistaken it for a totally different song altogether.



However, the primary reason I'm posting this review is on the rare B-Side called "One More Chance" which is a rare B-Side that did not make it on the "Janet" album. Please note that this is actually a cover version of her brothers group, The Jacksons, song of the same title that dates to 1984 that appears on their "Victory" album which is a classic in it's own right. This particular song I'm review is NOT the 1970 Jackson 5 song at all, the only thing in common is the song title. That's it. I won't go there with this review. Onto the song......



"One More Chance" is a beautiful, soulful song with a lovely, sunny, warm, and very joyous feel-good atmosphere with marvelous keyboard production, a very light but textured rhythm, a very nice mix of happy and somber mixed together to produce a bittersweet classic whose quality ranks among Janet's greatest songs to date even occasionally rivaling 1989's "Lonely", and "Come Back To Me", even surpassing 1986's "Let's Wait Awhile" and "Again". As much as I enjoy the "Janet" album, "One More Chance" actually beats just about every song that made it onto that album in my book. This song just has a maturity, sophistication, and a really deep blend of joy, sorrow, and bittersweet beauty that became increasingly rare after this and the Velvet Rope eras.



The remixes of "If" are really good in their own way but her cover version of 1984's "One More Chance", Janet hit a grand slam out of the ballpark in terms of balladry with this song. I'm not the biggest fan of CD-Singles primarily how widely they can cut both ways IMO but if you ever stumble upon the "If" CD-Single, I strongly recommend purchasing it, renting it, or borrowing it from someone just for "One More Chance" alone. It is that wonderful. I would in addition, buy "Victory" for the original version as well.



Many music critics often have been critical of what they see and/or hear as Janet having a thin limited vocal ability. While it may apply in many places, on "One More Chance", she puts that limited vocal range to marvelous effect on it.



Fabulous job here Janet! :D

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