Song - "Mistaken Identity"

[Dougster]

Recently I read the following about this track thanks to someone on the board...

“Mistaken Identity,” from The Secret Life of J. Eddy Fink, produced by Ian and Shadow Morton. With its seamless integration of Ian’s pianistic knowledge of hard bop jazz harmony, classic American ballad-book styles, and shifting time signatures; this track is worth the price of admission by itself.

This song has always facinated me. It plays like 2 (or more) songs in one and I have always loved it for its creativity and diversity. This is one tune that told me at a young age that this girl was truly gifted musically. I lack the musical lingo to clearly express myself here. "Shifting Time Signatures" as stated above might be what I'm looking for...Anyway, I have always wondered about the very blatant change in this song (it sounds like everyone went flat or out of key/time for a second) and then got back on track. It sounds like an "error" in the recording process. But I am sure it is part of the song and meant to be there. Janis, if you have time, I'd love to hear you comment on this...what exactly it is, why it is there, who's idea it was, etc.
Interestingly enough, it is the exact portion of the song that is "faded out" on the reissue of "J. Eddy Fink & Who Really Cares." On the Verve CD is is at the 2:15 mark of the recording.

Thanks!!

[CharlieD]

Oh, I'm so glad this subject came up. It's a fascinating song.

I also noticed what they did on the BGO Reissue. I'm not sure why they decided to fade-out/fade-in instead of allowing it to stay as is. I suppose it makes the end result sound less like an error, and more like something deliberate.

I've always wondered what happened in the first place. It sounds like two separate recordings stitched rather haphazardly together, with the piano in the second recording not tuned precisely to concert pitch.

Charlie

[Kathleen Brogan]

One of my favorites of all time! And....if memory serves, it was the song chosen to break on the 8 track tape. I can't believe we settled for songs to cut in the middle! Before I was able to find a vinyl copy, I found a used 8 track of ".....Eddy Fink". I remember that the case was pink. I actually went out a bought an 8 track player so that I could hear it for the first time. On "Janis Ian 2" there was no break song, but "The Bridge" was offered twice!

[Sara]

Just went back and listened to "Mistaken Identity" again after reading this thread. (I have the Verve CD.) Ingenious! I'm still impressed that Janis showed this immense talent at such a young age.

[Dougster]

Oh Kathleen you are priceless! I found myself thinking "maybe the source was the 8-track tape" because I vaguely remembered the same thing. This was the song that was split. Oh how far we have come! And, it was an 8-track of "For All The Seasons of Your Mind" that first got me hooked on Janis. I sure hope a CD issue of that LP is planned.

[Dougster]

I bumped this to see if Janis would comment. I also would like to know if she did indeed play all the piano and harpsicord on this tune. Janis??:)