Janis Ian - Stars

Remastered reissue of the singer/songwriter's 1974 album. Festival. 2004. Album Description

The Best

I just met Janis Ian at a book signing for her autobiography and for someone who has miraculous control over their emotions, I had tears streaming down my face; both from joy (I had wondered for years what happened to her) and from a rush of emotions from the days when I would sit and listen to the Stars album when I was a teenager and feel the lonely horrible feelings teens have to her gentle singing voice. She's a great person also - if you haven't heard Stars, you haven't completely heard music. August 16, 2008

Take A Picture of Your Life with Janis Ian

It can be argued that Stars is Janis Ian's best album. With lyrics, vocals and melodys that speak to just about every emotion, this album is a true classic. It should be required listening to anyone who picks up a guitar and wants to sing and write their own songs. The title track is a simple masterpiece - just voice and acoustic guitar musing about the price of fame. Jesse is another classic. Can't listen to this one without getting a lump in my throat (even after all these years). Dance with Me is a graphic anti-war song set to the most joyous melody you could imagine. It's perfection. All the other songs are extremely well done and really show Ian's range as a singer and musician. Just buy this album and let it become part of your life. You'll be better off by having heard Stars. October 28, 2007

A lost classic for sure.

My brother said it best: "I heard the first song and I never wanted to play music ever again, then I heard the rest of the album and I couldn't imagine doing anything else."

This album is ridiculously well crafted, thoughtful songs and arrangements, a beautiful singin voice, and crystal clear sound quality while still maintaining the warmth of all the best records ever. After hearing it I was upset I had never heard it before then. That's only happened to me a handful of times. If you don't like this, you suck. Straight up. Don't talk to me. January 23, 2007

Heartfelt

The title/first track, "Stars", is a starkly honest, lyrically beautiful expression of Janis' feeling that she has fallen from the success of her teenage debut. (Some say this album marked the beginning of her comeback.) It is not unusual for artists to write about their experiences as an artist, but rarely is this done in such a direct, literal, self-effacing and poetic way. The quiet, expressive acoustic guitar on this track underscores that this is a deeply personal song. The rest of the album is more upbeat, sometimes heavily orchestrated, moving through folksy and jazzy styles. Page Nine, as optimistic as Stars is sad, looks forward to living with a new love. This is the honest, heartfelt work of a great talent.
March 3, 2005

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