Stars [Bonus Track]

• Artist: Janis Ian
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 21, 2004
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

After a three-year (1971-1974) hiatus, singer/songwriter Janis Ian (guitar/vocals) reinvented her craft on the groundbreaking Stars (1974) long-player. Her penchant for hauntingly beautiful melodies and incisive lyrics remains at the center of Ian's craft as she weaves an array of uniquely expressive observations with timeless poignancy. She has publicly acknowledged that the introspective title track that opens the album was inspired by Don McLean's "Vincent." Ian's reflections are almost naked in their intimacy as she looks within the psyche of celebrity and draws comparisons between the respective astral and physical bodies that "Stars" inhabit, albeit briefly in either case. The song's sparse acoustic guitar self-accompaniment is somewhat an anomaly as the remainder of the album incorporates various backing combos. The cosy and laid-back "Page Nine" demonstrates a jazzier side to Ian's arrangements and features some inviting contributions from percussion legend and studio heavyweight George Devens (vibraphone), who had been performing in Ian's studio coterie since her second release, For All the Seasons of Your Mind (1967). "The Man You Are in Me" is instrumentally highlighted by Richard Davis (bass), who impels the rhythm and provides Ian with a sonic backdrop beguiling the listener into its practically hypnotic melody. There is also a fair share of folk-infused material, ranging from the easygoing and heartfelt peon "Thankyous" to the decidedly more political and strident "Dance with Me" -- which deals fairly directly with the Vietnam experience. Perhaps the best-known cut on Stars also obliquely references the war and is considered the disc's crown jewel. "Jessie" is a riveting love song that is as beautiful as it is soul-wrenchingly poignant. The delicate understated score only adds to the composition's empathy. "Applause" fittingly concludes the effort in a Broadway-esque fashion with a grandiose production reminiscent of something out of Cabaret or A Chorus Line. The understated and comparatively reticent middle section is dramatically bookended with an otherwise embellished and knowingly campy arrangement. Stars set the stage for Ian to further develop her mature and meditative themes utilizing a wide variety of musical styles -- a hallmark that separated her from her weepy and otherwise introspective peers. [This version of the album includes bonus material.] ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Stars	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(7:12)
The Man You Are in Me	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(2:59)
Sweet Sympathy	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(2:42)
Page Nine	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(3:07)
Thankyous	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(2:40)
Dance with Me	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(3:18)
Without You	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(2:04)
Jesse	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(4:07)
You've Got Me on a String	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(3:20)
Applause	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(4:07)
Jesse [Live][*]	Janis Ian	Janis Ian	(5:17)

Credits

John Tropea (Guitar (Acoustic)), Janis Ian (Guitar (Acoustic)), Janis Ian (Guitar), Janis Ian (Piano), Janis Ian (Arranger), Janis Ian (Guitar (Electric)), Janis Ian (Guitar (Rhythm)), Janis Ian (Guitar (12 String)), Janis Ian (Fender Rhodes), Phil Bodner (Sax (Alto)), Richard Davis (Bass), Richard Davis (Arranger), Bill Watrous (Trombone (Tenor)), Brooks Arthur (Producer), Eric Weissberg (Guitar (Acoustic)), Eric Weissberg (Guitar (12 String Acoustic)), George Duvivier (Bass), Seymour Barab (Cello), Raymond Beckenstein (Sax (Soprano)), Seymour Berman (Viola), Ariana Bronne (Violin), Alfred Brown (Viola), James Buffington (French Horn), Frederick Buldrini (Violin), Don Butterfield (Tuba), Ralph Casale (Guitar (Acoustic)), Earl Chapin (French Horn), Selwart Clarke (Viola), Leon Cohen (Clarinet), Burt Collins (Trumpet), Joseph DeAngelis (French Horn), George Devens (Vibraphone), Sal DiTroia (Guitar), Sal DiTroia (Guitar (Rhythm)), Sal DiTroia (Harmony Vocals), Peter Dimitriades (Violin), Charlie Dreyer (Engineer), Paul Faulise (Trombone (Bass)), Ron Frangipane (Piano), Ron Frangipane (Arranger), Ron Frangipane (Conductor), Ron Frangipane (Fender Rhodes), Ron Frangipane (Score), Mickey Gravine (Trombone (Tenor)), Jack Jennings (Percussion), Harold Kohon (Violin), Barry Lazarowitz (Arranger), Barry Lazarowitz (Drums), Joseph Malin (Violin), Richard Maximoff (Viola), Hugh McCracken (Guitar (Electric)), Charles McCracken (Cello), Lloyd Michaels (Trumpet), Gene Orloff (Violin), Don Payne (Bass), Romeo Penque (Clarinet), Romeo Penque (Flute), Romeo Penque (Oboe), Alan Raph (Horn (Baritone)), George Ricci (Cello), George Ricci (Soloist), Al Rogers (Drums), Alan Rubin (Trumpet), David Sackson (Viola), Allan Schwartzberg (Drums), Wally Kane (Bassoon), Archie Levin (Viola), Marie Hence (Violin), Joe Shepley (Trumpet), Joe Shepley (Soloist), Julius Schacter (Violin), Bhen Lanzarone (Celeste), Larry Alexander (Drums), Larry Alexander (Tambourine), Gloria Lanzarone (Cello)