JANIS IAN

Reviewed By Donn Jehs Still "Society's Child" Janis Ian in Concert 10-26-97 Van Wezel Hall Sarasota, FL

Nearly three decades ago a young waif with a haunting voice burst upon the music scene with a load of teenage angst, and troubling lyrics, as she gave us "Society's Child." Today that waif no longer exists, but in her place is a woman of extraordinary talent and a voice that can still reach out to and into your soul. That woman is Janis Ian.

Joining Tom Paxton, Odetta, and Michael Johnathon on the "Acoustic Rainbow" tour, she sang the songs that we most love and some new ones you will come to love. Opening with "This Train Still Runs," Janis quickly won the crowd with an enthusiastic version that featured glittering vocals and some nifty guitar play before slowing down to sing us "Getting Over You," a mournful ballad about breaking up from her latest album "Hunger" - her debut album from Windham Hill Records. This was an interesting choice considering the wealth of excellent material on her new album, and may carry an unspoken message about Janis' personal favorites off the new one.

Next up was the song that started it all, "Society's Child," and as special as this song is to Janis and her fans, the social implications and impact are missing - replaced by experience and better delivery. Some things just cannot be recaptured, but a concert without the song would not be the same either. This song was for the child within us that never grows up.

The following song was for the end of that long journey called life, with a "Welcome To Acousticville," a place you come to after paying your final dues and find yourself joining in as "Jimi Hendrix played a Martin D-18." This song allows Janis to show the strength and beauty of her vocal talent and I think the crowd found a new favorite.

Then it was back to a "blast from the past" as she broke into "At Seventeen." Once again the memory rush helped carry me by the realization that Janis is no longer that teen angel, but a woman remembering, which gave the song a new sense of passion and longing.

She closed her set with "Jesse," showed her ability to scat, and explored her whole vocal range which astonished me with her pitch and ability to reach through several octaves. To rousing applause Janis exited -returning for a single encore, the folk favorite "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" before giving up the stage much too soon.

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