if you could pick 1 Janis song

[hoops]

ok, i don;t know why i'm coming up with all these questions lately, maybe i am empathizing with Janis' desire to get up and go, maybe...well who cares here is the question

if you could pick one (1) and only one (1) Janis song that you would like to have a live version of on cd and/or dvd what would it be?

no question about it, my answer is "here comes the night"

peace
hoops

[Chet]

"Crocodile Song" - what a great singalong song it would be!

Speaking of which, it's got me reaching out for my copy of "Folk is the New Black" which is now playing on my CD/DVD player!

And hoops, I love "Here comes the night" and have an amateur video clip of it from the Brighton show in April 2006, taken on my digital camera.

[DaveM]

"Light A Light". It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it....and I'm still not 100% sure why.

[Darlene]

The one Janis song I would love to hear live is "Take Me Walking In The Rain". That song really speaks to me, it is so passionate and no matter what it is; time, past loves, it doesnt matter what the rain will make everything clean. And the passion felt can not wait, the moment is now.

Peace, Darlene

[Jan de Vries]

For me, it's Restless Eyes.

Jan

[Roady]

My answer to this question changes as I listen to more of Janis' music. Right now it's "Every Love." I've been listening to "Unreleased 3" on my commute into Boston for weeks now. Not only are the words special in "Every Love" but Janis' voice is just Perfection.

[aabram]

I'm sorry, guys, but I need to take another few weeks to listen to everything again before I can answer this. I too have been listening to Unreleased 3 again, and the song which stands out for me at the moment is "Blood Red Rose". If you want a funny one, how about "Bayonne Blues"????? :)

[Mimi]

Nothing easier than this: ;) "No one else like you"

MIMI

[gisli]

Well here comes the one song pick from me......but first a long read. I have all Janis cd´s...yes all and more then one copy of each, except Unreleased 1 and Lost Cuts. I have one set of signed cd´s of all the cd´s that are for sale on Janis webpage, except Unreleased 1 and Lost Cuts, I have all her vinyl records, I think, but am not sure, for every now and then when I think I have them all, up pops a compilation record I have not seen and must have. I have many Janis 45 rpm and cd singles, I have many of her soundtrack albums from various films, I have a box full of cd´s where other artists sing her songs, I have cd´c where she sings one song in compilation with other artists, cd´s like x-mas albums etc. yes even the one with Ginny The Flying Pigand I have a bootlegg from a show she did when promoting the release of her Revenge album, on that cd is a faboulus saxaphone solo in the song Tenderness by Randy Leago. Now after having listed all of the above I can truly say that there is no way in he## I can pick out one song from all her work.........as far as I am concerned, she has not made one song that can be catagorized as bad.

That said I can turn 360 degrees and say it does not mean that I don´t have a favorite song, well I do.....but they varie from time to time. There have been so many favorite Janis songs in my life that it is just about as sinful as a Hen in a Chicken House and list is so long that I will not bore you by it. But believe me every time when I think “There is no way another Janis song can surprice or hook on me”.......guess what..............up pops yet another song I have listened to 100 times that suddenly decides to crawl under my skin and grow on me..........and it´ pushing the REPEAT BUTTON all over again time.

Well I am just about to getting to my one song pick. But first to tell you about my listening habits, or “What I have noticed when I listen to Janis”. What I have noticed is that unconciously I have filed Janis works into these listening packages:
1)The Verve albums or The First 4.
2)Present Company
3)Stars, Between The Lines and Aftertones
4)Janis Ian II, Restless Eyes, Lost Cuts and Unreleased 1, 2 and 3
5)Miracle Row and Uncle Wonderful
6)Night Raines
7)Revenge, Hunger and God And The FBI
8)Breaking Silence
9)Billie´s Bones
10)Folk Is The New Black
11)Compilation albums.
(Don´t ask me why this is, it just is.)
.....and depending on my mood I listen to cd´s in package 1 or 6 or 8 etc, and do not mix a cd from 1 or 4 etc. And I have MY FAVORITE SONG in each and every package and MY FAVORITE SONG has the habit of changing.

So now you know, if you had the tolorence to read this far that is....and lastely to answer the question: I am now listening to the cd´s in package 7 and my favorite song......today......from that package is On the Other Side.

Peace and best to everyone.

[hoops]

Chet,
i have a hand held copy of here comes the night on my video recorder too, just need to get it on disc.
everyone,
this thread is not necessarily about your favorite song. i couldn't pick a favorite Janis song with a gun to my head...this is about what you would like to have on a live collection. every song Janis does she does she has a live version of and often there is a slight difference between them. "here comes the night" is much different live than it is from the recording studio...it's about 6 minutes longer and it carries about 100 x the amount of feeling.
that being said...have fun
peace
hoops

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

In the Winter

Best to all

R. from Pa

[Rika]

Number one...............Page 9!

[Mimi]

Hi Rika, how nice to see you online! Say Hi to Carla from me!

MIMI:)

[hoops]

yes rika nice to see you :)
peace
hoops

[SongDragon]

I'm having a hard time deciding between "In the Winter", which I just heard live at the last concert I went to, and "All Those Promises", which just sort of clicked for me recently (also at the last concert, actually).

Probably "All Those Promises" because while I love "In the Winter" I still love hearing it on piano best (almost absolutely because every time I hear it I go, 'I have to get the music for that and hand it to my sister. She could play that if I give her a few chances at sight reading it.').

It could also be because I was thinking of "All Those Promises" a lot today. More on that when I've got it all sorted out in my mind.

~Song

[Darlene]

originally posted by SongDragon: It could also be because I was thinking of "All Those Promises" a lot today. More on that when I've got it all sorted out in my mind.


Well Song you got my curiosity up. Can't wait till you tell us. (after you get it sorted out in your head) Laughing!

Peace, Darlene

[Elliott]

At this moment it would be Page Nine.... I've always just loved that song. It makes me smile. My next favorite would be every other song Janis has written. She gets me every time. She made me cry in public. I don't do that. Not the ugly cry, but the one where the tears are flowing and you are afraid to move except to wipe your nose. And I was not the only one. I bet she looks at us and laughs her guts out inside. What a talent!

[Bat]

I recently had a weepy experience just like that, Elliott...except it involved my first love, classical symphonic music. Actually, it was just excerpts from many famous Percussion parts as they are played in the 'famous' parts.
Marcia and I just got back from the Percussive Arts Society annual programs held in Columbus, OH, this past week, and there was one program put on by the 'emeritus' members of many famous symphonies, including NY Phil, SF Sym, Philadelphia Orch, etc.
These 9 players were retired from these organizations, with over 350 years of collective experience amongst them, and their playing, from triangle to cymbals to tympani, was perfect, and a joy to hear, and the snare drummer was immaculate!
I never thought I'd cry at hearing a percussion ensemble play those old 'war horses', but they just hit a nerve--such wonderful sounds! It really gave meaning to the word, Professional.
Janis does that, too, and that is why we cry.
Because Perfection-- so rare and so precious-- is such a privilege to hear.

[SongDragon]

No, Elliot. I've met her a few times. It's true it was on the terms of fan to artist, so it's possible she was on her best behavior, so as not to appear crude and have her fans getting mad at her. But she didn't seem like the type that would laugh at anyone for showing a bit of emotion. I can be a bit awkward, especially around people I respect, but don't know very well, and she still didn't laugh at me. So I think you're safe. Even though she can appear sarcastic and cynical at times, it's not directed at us.

Darlene, I'm getting there! It's nothing all that important, most likely just another rant, but it has had me thinking all day, so I will eventually have to post it.

~Song

[Elliott]

Well said Bat and Dar... I remember reading somewhere that Janis understands that she may be the only celebrity someone may meet, and she does understand the perspective of the fan. However, I do hope she gets some joy out of seeing the reaction her work has on the people out there in the dark. Her music is magical to me and I am so grateful to her for it. And it only costs pennys per serving! Sometimes I feel like I should write her a check for what she saves me in psychiatry bills. Not the foundation... but to Janis! I meet lots of people every week, and I always find a way to spread the Janis word around, so maybe I'm doing my part in that way. I can't wait for the book!

[JudyR]

Can I choose a favorite song, even though I'm sort of "on staff"???
For me, it would definitely be JOY. I absolutely love that song. So simple, so eloquent at the same time. And just like Janis to use a string of cliches like "sunlight on the grass, memories that last," and follow it with something you've never heard before, like "fireflies that sing your name."

As to Janis ever laughing at a fan, or anyone else for that matter - well, she's one of the few people I feel like I can say anything to, and not have to worry about judgment. I watched her once after a show in Houston, when people kept coming up to her and whispering their secrets. Every single one of them received her total attention. Every single one of them was regarded seriously. And afterwards, when we went back to the dressing room, I asked her if she didn't get tired of being the repository for everyone's hopes and fears. She said very seriously that she really did consider it a privilege, that people felt safe enough around her to tell her their secrets. She said she considers her role after a show, or when meeting fans, very akin to that of a therapist, in that she tries not to pass any judgment, but just listen respectfully and lend the person strength.

Oh, I'm sure there are nights Janis is tired and grumpy; she warned me the first time I went to one of her shows that when she's tired, she gets grumpy! But I would hope she's enough of a professional that she wouldn't let it show.

Plus, remember, there are people JANIS gets tongue tied around! The writer Connie Willis, who she met at a science fiction convention, is one - Janis actually burst into tears when they met. Pat told me when Janis met Smoky Robinson at the Grammys one year, all she could say was "Oh God, fucking Smoky Robinson. I can't believe it." And when she found herself riding in an elevator with Celia Cruz, she was so dumbstruck that she couldn't speak at all!

I guess we all have our heros, and we all have those moments.
Sorry for the loooooooong ramble!!! But I've got to tell you... when my sister informed me that she was living with a songwriter - and a performer, no less - my first thought was "Oh no! Sex, drugs, rock and roll!!" I've got to tell you, contrary to my worst fears, Janis is one of the reallest, most down to earth people I've ever met. And very, very good to her "big sisterinlaw!!!!"

[Elliott]

If it was in Houston, I was one of those people. I still blush just thinking about it. On the bright side, since she meets thousands of folks, at least she won't remember me.

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Judy...

Guess you can see why we are all such rudies... Janis has for everyone of the regs here been a part of one or more special moments in their life I would bet...There are other artists that will sign autographs after a show, yet none of them actually pass my "feel like they are a friend" test... Janis always manages to do that with Betty and I... No matter how tired or even if shes feeling down before or after a show... You see Judy, like every person at every one of Janis's concerts know... Janis only performs for one person at a show.... and thats me... Of course there may be several hundreds "me's" in the room at the time... Thats ok though... There is always enough janis to go around...

It's great to hear your two cents worth though Judy... Sooner or later Betty and I will run into you someplace...

Best to you and all the others that work so hard after your really long days to keep us grouchy Rudies thinking it's so easy on your end... I think the entire staff down there is a really special group of people... Thanks to all for your dedication and for going above and beyond...

Best to all

R. from Pa

P.s...


If it was in Houston, I was one of those people. I still blush just thinking about it. On the bright side, since she meets thousands of folks, at least she won't remember me.

Elliott... You gotta be kidding... Janis remembers everyone....!!!!!

[JudyR]

Well, Randy, I'm the one with the beautiful tips in my hair!

[Bat]

Elliott... You gotta be kidding... Janis remembers everyone....!!!!![/QUOTE]


That's for sure! Elliott, Janis is not only brilliant, she has a mind like a steel trap! (except where doctor's orders are concerned.)

[Judy]

Boy, tough question - but I think "Some People's Lives."

[Mimi]

"If we had wings"!

[david uk]

JudyR that was a wonderful post.

Rika mentioned Page Nine, I still remember that moving me to tears when I was 18.

Tattoo was fabulous at the UK Living Room Concert and I'd love to hear it again.

[Chet]

On the JanisMania DVD, Janis mentioned playing "Page Nine" twice in one show, the first on guitar, followed by piano.

Apparently, she was not feeling very well around that time and after performing "Page Nine", she forgot she'd just sung it, and wondering what to sing next, thought why not do "Page Nine"? So she walked to the piano, sat down and performed that song again.

After the show, Pat told her thanks for playing her favourite song twice in the same show, and that was when Janis realised what happened.

I think "Page Nine" is one of her best love songs, up there with "Take Me Walking in the Rain".

[Eva]

What a tough question! And my answer will probably change every day... But I think most days I keep coming back to this one: "Searching For America".

Eva

[leslie]

but if I had to narrow it down to only one it would be "When Angels Cry" for the incredible melding of musicianship and lyric.

L

[Darlene]

I Picked out a "number 1 Janis song" and felt foolish about it right after I did!

I kept finding other "Janis songs" that I felt could be that "no 1 Janis song" so I thought I would just keep looking and looking and looking and have come to the conclusion that, there is none, no not any one song, that I can say is the "number one Janis Song.

All "Janis Ian Songs" are "number 1 Janis songs", for me anyway!

Peace, Darlene

[Mimi]

I Picked out a "number 1 Janis song" and felt foolish about it right after I did!

I kept finding other "Janis songs" that I felt could be that "no 1 Janis song" so I thought I would just keep looking and looking and looking and have come to the conclusion that, there is none, no not any one song, that I can say is the "number one Janis Song.

All "Janis Ian Songs" are "number 1 Janis songs", for me anyway!

Peace, Darlene

Exactly what you said, my friend! Glad to see you online again!

MIMI:)

[Mimi]

if you could pick one (1) and only one (1) Janis song that you would like to have a live version of on cd and/or dvd what would it be?

By the way: I would love to see Janis playing with a band again - watched a 1980n concert video with a band last night.


no question about it, my answer is "here comes the night"

peace
hoops

Noel, first time I ever heard this song WAS live, last year in October and I LOVED it from the very first moment. It's one of my hundreds of Janis favorites...

MIMI

[hoops]

mimi,
it's on of my hundereds of Janis favorites too and it is the one song Janis does live that is totally different than the studio version...Now, i would pay to see Janis snore on stage, but this song just rips my heart from my chest. last year at the westport arts center i took my friend diane to see Janis and we had front pew seats. i had seen janis live 4 other times and had heard her do "here comes the night" before and was totally captivated. on that night at the westport arts center, i made a complete fool of my self whooping and hollering afterJanis did the song i was standing up and cheering and crying and just blow out of the water, diane who had never seen Janis live was brought to tears. so, tho it may be one of hundreds of favorite songs...it just touches me differently
peace
hoops

[Oak Kitten]

I'm surprised no one else has said this already, but for me it would be "This Train Still Runs." "Tea and Sympathy" would be a close second.

Oak

[lucille]

There ya go Oak. You're still unique. :)