Search - Janis Ian :: The Best Of Janis Ian

A good starter collection

Jim Pilewski | 08/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another amazon.com reviewer stated this CD did not contain what the fans wanted. Well, it did contain what this fan wanted - all of the hits are here along with some real Janis Ian treasures. Her voice is so easy to listen to; and her lyrics and guitar instrumentation & style have always been quite unique. She knows how to get right to your soul with that voice and those lyrics. If you want to be moved deeply, listen to Janis Ian. This is a good starter collection for those who are not familiar with the 70s masterpieces of Janis Ian. This excellent CD spans her entire 1970s Rainbow Collection career including essential tracks from "Stars," "Aftertones," "Between The Lines," and "Miracle Row." Standout tracks are the haunting hits "At Seventeen" and "Jesse," the stirring and mournful Ian classics "Love Is Blind," "The Man You Are In Me," and "In The Winter," the uptempo and infectious "I Would Like To Dance," and the best tracks from "Miracle Row" including the title cut, "Maria" and "Party Lights." All the tracks are good on this one! If you need a course on Janis Ian, this is a good place to start. From this CD, you may want to purchase her 1960s recordings on The Verve Collection. However, I would go forward and strengthen your 70s collection - "Between The Lines" and "Aftertones" would be definite purchases. But, Janis did not stop making good music in the 70s. You may want to consider some of her later recordings to buy as well. Just search Amazon.com for her recordings in the 80s and 90s. Jan Ian's 1997 "Hunger" is a must for her later recordings. For those concerned about sound quality, this import CD is excellent. I was very pleased with this purchase."

Buy the alternative CD!

Jim Pilewski | 10/16/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album is in no way, shape, or form the "best of Janis Ian", and I'd strongly suggest fans or interested parties not purchase it. Instead, look around on line for "Up 'Til Now&quot. The latter CD contains 17 songs picked by Ian herself, with an eye (as always) to what the fans want. It's a much better buy. The songs on this album are obviously chosen by Sony, since they consist of all the "singles" released during Ian's tenure there. Those are by no means the "best" of her work!!!"

Do Not Buy This Unauthorized CD!

Jim Pilewski | Cleveland, Ohio | 07/31/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of Janis Ian,
Please refer to... before you buy this unauthorized Festival cd.
Janis herself has termed this an unauthorized release on the message board at www.janisian.com.(7/30/02) Ms.Ian notes that she has been trying to negotiate with Festival for eight years to no avail.
Choosing any of Janis' other fine cds will guarantee a rewarding listening experience.
My personal favorites include "god & the fbi" (2000), "Stars"(1974), and "Between the Lines" (1975). Peace,
JP"