Search - Janie Frickie :: Labor of Love

Neglected album by forgotten star

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 04/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Janie, twice CMA female vocalist of the year, was once so hot. She emerged at around the same time as Reba but achieved success earlier. She continued to be successful for most of the eighties but may have already been running out of steam when she recorded a western-themed album, Saddle the wind. I thought it was brilliant but it didn't do well. This album was the follow-up, much more typical of the music that people expected Janie to record. However this album was also ignored and Janie's career as a major country star was finished. Of course, Janie has recorded some music on independent labels and has also performed live, but this album marks the end of an era.You may recognize some of the songs. Steve Earle wrote My old friend the blues, which has been covered by several other singers, notably Beth and April Stevens. Give 'em my number is a cover of a Dave Loggins song previously recorded by Ricky Nelson. Pam Tillis co-wrote two songs (One of those things, Feeling is believing) and has recorded her own version of at least one of them, perhaps both. Dusty Springfield covered I can't help the way I don't feel for her 1995 album, A very fine love. Katy Moffatt and Tom Russell co-wrote Walking on the moon and both recorded it. (Do not confuse it with the rock song of the same title by Sting and the Police.)This is a brilliant album from Janie. Maybe one day we'll be able to buy most of her music on CD. Well, we can dream, can't we?TracksLove is one of those words
Give 'em my number
What are you doing here with me
The last thing that I didn't do
Walking on the moon
Feeling is believing
I can't help the way I don't feel
No ordinary memory
One of those things
My old friend the blues"