Jan James - Soul Desire (1997)
Jan James - Soul Desire (1997)
1 Soul Desire 2 We Live 3 This Aint No Livin' 4 Too Much To Lose 5 Lonesome Town 6 Always Knockin' 7 Tender Years 8 Social Graces 9 A Lot To Learn 10 Cant Run Away 11 Another Man 12 Do Right
With a spin on the classic blues genre, Jan James brings a raw and brash honesty to her powerful vocals. Drawing on her blues and country roots, combined with the strong guitar performance of her long-time partner Craig Calvert, Jan James has created an engaging and thoroughly relatable album. From political tracks that speak truth to power, to the universal theme of love, Calling All Saints is a collection of songs that pull you in and won’t let you go. Bringing to life a host of vibrant characters, the stories here will keep you captivated. The country style story-telling, the emotionality of her delivery and the strong instrumentation bring the album to life. Fans of her past work will recognize the hallmarks that make her sound so successful. First time listeners will be drawn in by her unique and natural talent on this vivid and powerfully honest album.
The tale of Jan James reads as though it comes right out of the inner soul of American music. Her sound was born in her home-state of Michigan then she found her way to Chicago, home of the blues. Her powerful sound and message resonate globally. She has an arresting, soulful voice which, as her reputation as an artist grew, earned her the recognition of "Best Female Vocalist" by the Detroit Metro Times.
Her powerful vocals were first discovered why singing in a church choir. For James that emotion and energy translated naturally into a deep understanding of RnB and Rock-n-Roll Soul. With these beginnings Jan James is an artist with a journey that feels almost mythic. She has continued that journey through each of her albums and tours.
Raised in central Michigan on a family-run fishing resort, Jan's talent was obvious early on. "The more I tried out the voice I learned to use in the church choir," says Jan, "the more I liked it," and so did everyone else. She was continually invited to sing at public gatherings and like all the great artists-the seduction and thrill of performing onstage soon matched her talent.
Jan met her partner, songwriter/guitarist Craig Calvert, while they were both attending Michigan State. She was working in a duo, performing regularly at a small cafe. When she needed to replace her guitar player, the timing was right. It was not only right, it was perfect. Craig was taking a break from his punk band (The FIX); they met and developed a musical chemistry that has evolved into a big sound and feel that is colored with RnB, blues, soul and the sweet dynamics of the best rock.
Continuing their legend-laced journey, they moved to Chicago. The big city blues capital was good to them, and they to it. They became favorites in such venues as The Park West, Buddy Guy's Blues Legends, Taste of Chicago and The House of Blues. They shared the stage with Bon Jovi, Koko Taylor, John Mayall, Little Feat, James Brown, Alice Cooper, Jeff Beck and B.B. King. They cut their first demo, a powerhouse CD called "Last Train," picked up by the Dutch label Provogue, in yet another example of the wide appeal that American music has throughout the world. Jan’s music especially filled with undeniable heart and soul that has a universal appeal.
Jan launched a promotional tour of acoustic and electric performances aired on radio and television throughout The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Scandinavia, along with a feature on NBC's television program, Talking Blues. The press raved: "Voices of the caliber of Jan James are rare in today's pop music" and "Her upbeat rock, RnB, blues is exceptionally radio-friendly and very stylishly executed." More albums followed: "Soul Desire," "The Color of Rose," "Limousine Blues," “Drive Me Home,” “Live at the Intersection” and “Ring Around the Moon” all of which enjoyed critical acclaim.
Comparisons to legendary artists are often soaked in hype and are sometimes unfair both to the legend and to the musician who is carrying on the legacy. But sometimes they are necessary. Sometimes they must be made; not just for the sake of similarity but for the sake of the importance that keeping something so stark and vital alive means to the art.
Jan performed at Chicago's Royal George Theater in the starring role of Janis Joplin in a play based on Janis’ letters and songs. Along with the standing ovations there was so much more. There was the aura of a major talent. There was not only the power of what Janis had left for us, there was the power in what Jan James now does brilliantly.
Jan's latest album, "Calling All Saints," is raw expression of her talent and passion. With a spin on the classic blues genre, Jan James brings a raw and brash honesty to her powerful vocals. Drawing on her blues and country roots, combined with the strong guitar performance of her long-time partner Craig Calvert, Jan James has created an engaging and thoroughly relatable album. From political tracks that speak truth to power, to the universal theme of love, Calling All Saints is a collection of songs that pull you in and won’t let you go. Bringing to life a host of vibrant characters, the stories here will keep you captivated. The country style story-telling, the emotionality of her delivery and the strong instrumentation bring the album to life. Fans of her past work will recognize the hallmarks that make her sound so successful. First time listeners will be drawn in by her unique and natural talent on this vivid and powerfully honest album. Both unique and undeniable in her appeal. This is Jan James. ---cdbaby.com
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