Janis Ian - Live at Club Cafe

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Summary: The truth about Janis
Review: Anyone who says that this performance by Janis, covering her back catalogue hits and material from her current album, is not a compelling and marvellous demonstration of talent and the ability to keep "cutting it" after 40 years in the music industry is a liar!
If you cant get your copy here, get down to your local library and MAKE the librarian get a copy OR politely bombard your local PBS station to air it. Trust me, YOUR life will be richer for it.

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Summary: TREAT YOURSELF TO REAL 'MUST SEE' TV!!
Review: As a friend of mine, to whom I lent the DVD, said, "I had no idea she was such a spectacular guitarist, and she's very funny too." Any one who is even remotely familiar with Janis Ian should own this DVD, she is SO much more than the young girl who gave us "At Seventeen" and "Society's Child". If you've never seen her live, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The visual and audio quality (did I mention 5.1 surround sound?)is remarkable. You will feel like you are there. There is a two part, one on one interview that is fascinating and a slide show of her life that is truly moving. If you have no idea who Janis Ian is, but you appreciate compelling lyrics and guitar mastery, check and see where Ani Difranco, Norah Jones, Melissa Ehteridge, Dar Williams, and countless other women performers got much of their inspiration.

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Summary: JANIS IAN.....BETTER THAN EVER!!
Review: Haven't seen a live Janis Ian show in a while? Run out and buy this dvd.The splendid intimate venue is a great setting.Janis plays all your favorite and better known songs as well as some new ones you may not be so familiar with.This dvd has a real "concert feel".There are also interviews with fans and audience members.Janis'guitar playing will take you by storm!!This dvd is worth every cent, so enjoy!!!

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Summary: Must have
Review: If you can only own a single Janis Ian product, this is the one. This powerful live performance was shot in an intimate cafe setting in Pittsburgh's Southside. Janis is both intimate and commanding throughout the show as she works her way through back catalog and newer material. The DVD has quite a few extras as well, including a two part interview with Ms. Ian that alone is worth the cost of the DVD.

The DVD includes what i consider to be the definitive version of 'Take No Prisoners' as well as the haunting and touching 'I hear you sing again' . A must have for fans of Ms. Ian.

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Summary: "Absolute perfection"
Review: Janis Ian is a living legend of 40 years in the music business and this live concert DVD attests to that. The performance is flawless throughout, the songs are first-rate ("On The Other Side" is particularly spellbinding) and the generous inclusion of bonus material is worth the price alone. Janis gives an interview as professional and relaxed as you will ever see and her performance of "At Seventeen" sounds as fresh as the 1975 original. This one woman dynamo also plays a mean guitar.
If you're wanting to hear REAL music played by a REAL musician, it doesn't get better than this-Bravo Janis!

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Summary: A work of stunning honesty
Review: This DVD has Janis Ian at her best, songs stripped to the bone with just Janis and her guitar, plus some great effects from the sound desk. The test of a great song is whether it can stand this kind of treatment and every one of the songs performed here sounds as good or even better than on the album versions.

Janis's rapport with the audience and the intimate nature of the venue make you feel like you're there, and her patter between the songs is at times very moving and at others hilarious... she certainly knows what a punchline is!

My personal favourites are "Matthew", a haunting "Strange Fruit"- like song about the homophobic murder of Matthew Shepherd, the sensual "Ride Me Like A Wave" and the timeless classic "At Seventeen".

For anyone who has even a passing interest in this woman's music, this DVD is a MUST.

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Summary: Janis Ian - You'll wish you were there
Review: This DVD is an absolute MUST HAVE for all Janis Ian fans. Most people remember Janis from one or two songs, usually "At 17", or "Society's Child", and these are still as magical today as they were in the 70s. But Janis is much, much, more; her back catalogue is stunning and this DVD covers a very good cross section of her music. As a fan for over 30 years I cannot explain the joy this DVD has brought me. To not only hear her beautiful voice, but to also see her performing live - her guitar playing is magnificent. You'll also see her sharing anecdotes and stories, mostly funny, some incredibly personal, the whole event is stunning. Janis is a very hands-on performer, and you can see her fans are held in high regard by Janis, as well as the other way around. Janis also has a superb message board on her website where she personally drops in and adds to topics as diverse as childcare, pets and politics. Janis is always willing to share her musical notation with anyone who wants to play her songs, and she even had a workshop in 2004 for many of her loyal fans - see Janismania for a DVD of that amazing event.

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Summary: It doesn't get any better than this.
Review: This DVD is one you will want to watch again and again. As always, Janis Ian delivers above and beyond the expectations of her audience. Her music, as always, is honest and powerful. Her warmth and sincerity shine through her performance, and make you feel as if you are there. An exceptional artist at her shining best.

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Summary: A Gracious Star Continues to Shine
Review: Those in the know have followed Janis Ian for years and have celebrated her "quiet" return for more than 10 years now. This DVD shows why she won't, can't, and shouldn't ever go away. Janis' musicianship and performing style have always exhibited the utmost in grace, humor, and wisdom, all of which shine through in this recording. If you've liked Janis' music before, you'll love the intimacy and clarity of this DVD. If you haven't discovered her, this DVD will make you a fan.

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Summary: "Live Janis" Stunning and Captivating as Always!
Review: To truly appreciate the power & substance of Janis Ian, one really does have to see her live! I saw Janis on television before hearing most of her music and it had a tremendous impact on my life! I have seen Janis in concert more times than I can count from 1974 to up until last June, the same week that this DVD was filmed. She still provides a stellar, brilliant performance. "Dead Men Walking" and "When I Lay Down" are two of the features from Janis' latest, wonderful work, "Billie's Bones" and there are also enough '70's favorites like "At Seventeen" and "Watercolors", for those more familiar with Janis when she wasn't quite as accessible as she is at this more intimate venue. The stories before the songs are profound, true Janis at her very best. Her humor is an added plus. And, if you weren't already aware, Janis Ian is also a stunning guitar player and really seems to have fun while she displays some awesome, spellbinding solos. The bonus pictorial feature with "Through the Years" and "Stars" brought tears to my eyes! I would have paid the full price of this DVD just to own that! Buy this DVD, and I guarantee, you won't be dissapointed!