Jane
Country of origin:
England
Type of music generally:
Mainstream pop with country leanings
Status:
Most recent release, seedling (2004)
See also:
A Jane bio on Jazz CDs
Comparisons:
Alison Moyet, Stevie Nicks, Tori Amos, Dido
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Jane's music is smooth but very likeable. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Recommended first album:
Either
Recordings:
- close up and real (2002)
- seedling (2004)
close up and real
Release info:
2002—self-released—Jane CD01
Availability:
See CD Baby for availability
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Jane—lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Guest artists:
Peter Jacobsen—piano, keyboards
Dave Bronze—bass guitar
Reg Webb—piano, keyboards, backing vocals, vocals
Ian Pearce—electric guitar
Alan Christie—electric guitar on 1 track
Wendy Roberts—backing vocals on 1 track
Mark Cunningham—guitar on 1 track
Michael Bettell—drums on 1 track
Lance Oliver—violin on 1 track
Mark Street—programming
Dave Rosenthal—programming
Produced by:
Dave Bronze, Mark Street, Dave Rosenthal
Comments:
This album features tracks that have been recorded over a long period of time but it still holds together well. It's fairly mainstream but allows other influences as well.
Jane's voice is strong and her songs are mostly great. "Borderline" has a dark lyric that contrasts with the angelic vocals. "One Voice" is a nice country song. "We are one" is a little darker musically and all the better for it. "Breathe (It Might Be Love)" puts the focus on Jane's lovely voice. The Tori Amos-like "Carry me" shines and really shows Jane's talents as a songwriter.
A fine debut that bodes well for the future. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
seedling
Release info:
2004—self-released—Jane CD01
Availability:
See CD Baby for availability
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Jane—guitar, vocals, backing vocals
Guest artists:
Ian Pearce—guitar, electric guitar, bass
Reg Webb—keyboards, backing vocals
Steve "West" Weston—harmonica
Julia Quinn—backing vocals
Mark Street—bass, programming, keyboards
Produced by:
Ian Pearce, Mark Street
Comments:
Jane's second album continues where the last one left off. It's still mainstream but good with it. Jane's confident vocal and songwriting skills make her stand out. The mellow "Show me where the lonely people go" is very eighties sounding, but it's great. "Daddy" is a moving story of a war that gets to the bone. Jane sings it beautifully and the use of harmonica is well done. The merry strut of "I wanna stay blind" hides a dark story. "Never to Blame" is like Dido in its airy way. The title track closes the album on a reflective and hopeful note. It's a very good album. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Thanks to Anna Maria Sjärnell for work on this entry.
