Search - Janis Ian :: Aftertones

Tones that stay with you, gently

Nanci | Tri-Cities, WA USA | 03/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album did not receive much critical or popular acclaim when released, but has some amazingly excellent writing on it, especially considering that in 1975 Janis was 23 years old. Harmony on the song "Hymn" alone is worth the album, but you won't be disappointed with her obvious talent in singing and writing blues. Her sense of humor shines through on "Boy, I Really Tied One On" (recorded also by Esther Phillips). A few songs foreshadow her struggles and disillusion with the Business of Music, and the angst of the performer has always been a theme for her. There's real quality work here. You wonder how she can get better, but she does. Fortunately she stayed in the business and is still writing and producing quality CDs against incredible odds. Her latest CD "god & the fbi" will be released March 21, 2000."

Janis Ian, Aftertones

K. M. Barnes | TC, MI | 09/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Delicate, sensitive lyrics which characterized Ian's early work. I was glad to find them in CD form."

And, oooooh, I Like the Sound of Harmonies from Time to Time

Kathleen A. Brogan | San Diego, CA | 03/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent, and highly overlooked album by Janis Ian. Everyone knows about "Between the Lines" and this one is almost a continuation of that piece. It's even more gutsy, however! The title track is breathtaking, with glorious string arrangements and really sets a mellow mood. Then the salsa stylings of "I Would Like To Dance" puts you in a very frenzied, up-tempo state, and even steals some of the theme from "I Dream of Jeannie", not sure if that was intentional, or not, on Janis' part! "Love is Blind" was a huge number one hit in Japan and on the charts there for months. Bluesly "This Must Be Wrong" is memorable and very sexy! "Boy, I Really Tied One On" is a cleaver look at one night stands with the wrong person, gender, who knows? Then, you're cooled down again with two haunting ballads, "Don't Cry, Old Man" and the beautiful "Hymn" guest starring Phoebe Snow and Odetta, one of Janis' childhood heros who actually taught her how to put on make-up! Buy this CD, there's not a bad song on it!"