![]() Jann ArdenCountry of origin:Canada Type of music generally:Mainstream pop Status:Most recent release, Hits & Other Gems (compilation, 2020) See also:Jann Arden's site Comparisons:Sometimes Jann reminds me very much of Sarah McLachlan. (Dirk.Kastens@rz.Uni-Osnabrueck.DE) Covers/own material:Own General comments:I find her music too smooth and mainstream pop for me, but those of you who like softer pop will probably like her. (Neile) Recordings include:
Time For MercyRelease info:1993—A&M—540 071-2 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for fans of mainstream pop Group members:Jann Arden—vocals, acoustic guitar Guest artists:David Resnik—guitars Produced by:Ed Cherney Comments:Better on the acoustic numbers (such as "We Do Some Strange Things") than the up-tempo numbers. (Tim.Cook@Swift.Com) Living Under JuneRelease info:1994 (Canada); 1995 (US) Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for fans of mainstream pop Group members:Jann Arden—vocals, acoustic guitar Guest artists:Dave Resnik—acoustic & electric guitars Produced by:Ed Cherney Comments:I bought Jann Arden's Living Under June, two days ago and it hasn't left my CD player since then. What a great album! The title song is very Sarah McLachlan-like, for instance. My favorite tracks are the last two, the third, the fifth.... (Dirk.Kastens@rz.Uni-Osnabrueck.DE) Happy?Release info:1997—A&M Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for fans of mainstream pop Group members:Jann Arden—vocals Guest artists:Mark Goldenberg—various instruments Produced by:Ed Cherney Comments:I haven't heard much of this yet, but the little bit I have sounds promising—I've really grown to love her voice. (jjhanson@att.net) Blood Red CherryRelease info:2000—Universal Music—012157527-2 Availability:Available in Canada Ecto priority:Highly recommended for fans; recommended for all else. Group members:Jann Arden—vocals Guest artists:Allison Cornell—violin "Mend" and "Sorry for Myself" Produced by:Ed Cherney & Mark Goldenberg Comments:Jann Arden's 4th album, Blood Red Cherry, continues her low-key, mid-tempo pop/rock/balladeering style, but on this album, Jann adds some sassy brashness and irony to the mix on tracks like "Best Dress" and "I Only Wanted Sex." Jann's one of those artists who can sound totally mainstream one minute, but the next minute you realize there's a lot more going on in terms of melody, lyrics and song structure. Check out the exquisite "Another Human Being." Blood Red Cherry is a fine continuation in this talented musician's career. (colford@chlotrudis.org) Live with the Vancouver SymphonyRelease info:2002—Universal (Canada)—044006-60392-6 Availability:Limited edition; available in Canada Ecto priority:Recommended for Jann Arden fans Comments:This is a solid live album, and Jann's material benefits from the addition of the symphony, but the real highlights are the hilarious stories included. Rarely on live CDs would I ever skip the music to listen to the in-between song patter, but this one is one I find myself doing that every time I play it for someone. (jjhanson@att.net) Uncover MeRelease info:2007—Fontana University Availability:Wide in Canada Ecto priority:Recommended for Jann Arden fans Group members:Jann Arden—vocals, backing vocals Guest artists:Dave Alcock—clapping Produced by:Jann Arden and Russell Broom Comments:Jann's latest is a pretty decent collection of cover songs—the weakest track in my opinion is the kick off track—Freda Payne's anti-war song "Bring the Boys Home." To me, Jann just sounds a bit screechy on this track, but the album picks up after that. Other songs include "California Dreamin';" "Peace Train;" a surprisingly good version of Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield;" "You're So Vain;" "Downtown;" and "Solitaire," plus a few others. A pretty decent covers album, but lacks some of the emotional depth of her own recordings. (jjhanson@att.net) Further info:Jann Arden has written two memoirs, Falling Backwards (2011), and Feeding My Mother—Comfort and Laughter in the Kitchen as My Mom Lives with Memory Loss (2017) Thanks to Michael Colford and Marisa Woods for work on this entry.
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