Hungary
HFP
Portal Multi-media
Janet Martin: Passage
2010. mrcius 27. szombat, 05:57 Czkus Mihly
The singer-guitarist-songwriter is Janet Martin from Richmond, Virginia. This
artist made her debut in the mid-nineties, with six CDs to her credit and one
early EP - Just Walkin 'Up, Over the years, Martins discography increased steadily.
Passage was recently released and its her seventh CD on her plate. The new disc
fits into the concept, which is in the spirit of her earlier 2008 album, Step
inside the Dream. Janets Passage is best described as both a delicate and aggressive
album; a singular breath which provides convincing evidence that as a child she
listened to mom and dads vinyl LPs and a lot of Led Zeppelin wow!
This 10-song album, for the most part written by Martin with bass player Michael
Muller is brief - just 40 minutes but what a 40 minutes! The repertoire starts
with the folky Purple Sunrise and sets a very pleasant atmosphere and
feeling in which the melody, voice and instruments work together to create this
relaxed atmosphere. Medicine follows in the number 2 spot with finely
tuned and meshed guitars and bass; this range of musical figures and textures
on this track make it the most exciting on the CD. Steve Bassett offers superb
Hammond B3 organ on Confectionary Queen. Under The Radar makes
the guitars (both acoustic and electric) take the main role. Next a jump
to the lyrical ballads (Running and 7th Story High) then on
to heavier tracks (Snakebit Holy Water) which shows another
side of this artist; the rocking side. My ratings below:
Produced by Adrian and Bruce Olsen The Olsens.
Featuring: Janet Martin / vocals and guitar, Michael Muller / electric bass guitar,
upright bass, slide guitar and vocals, Adrian Olsen / drums and vocals, Charles
Arthur / slide guitar, mandolin, pedal steel and vocals, Alexandra Spalding /
cello and vocals, Steve Bassett / piano and B -3 organ, Ken Woodward / upright
bass, Allen Hulsey / electronic guitar and slide guitar, Lindy Fralin / sitar-guitar,
Bruce Olsen / electronic guitar.
Art and Design: 9 points out of 10
Music: 8 points out of 10
Performance: 8 points out of 10
Sound Fidelity: 8 points out of 10
Running Time: 32:22