Janice Durham

Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

Straight ahead rock

Status:

Only known release, Just Hanging Around (1994)

See also:

I can't find anything about her out there (2/22)

Comparisons:

Zoë? A less-fuzzy Arson Garden? Susan James? (Neile)

Covers/own material:

Own.

General comments:

Janice Durham has a powerful, flexible voice and writes powerful, flexible rock tunes that display her voice to good advantage. Her songs are catchy, energetic, and show strong musicianship. She can sing a dynamite slower song, too. (Neile)

Recommended first album:

Just Hanging Around is her sole known release

Recordings:

Just Hanging Around (1994)

Just Hanging Around

Release info:

1994—Prison Records

Availability:

Available in Seattle, U.S.A., in stores that carry used and/or indie releases

Ecto priority:

High for lovers of evocative rock

Group members:

Janice Durham—vocals & acoustic guitar
Michael Nakagawa—electric & acoustic guitars
Philip Craft—drums
Dean McMaster—six-string fretless bass

Produced by:

Philip Craft & Janice Durham

Comments:

Rock, pure and simple, but not simplistic. I found this disc by chance when I was browsing at a local disc shop. I gave it a listen and bought it, and at first I thought it was merely good. Since then her songs have stuck in my brain and the disc still demands time in my cd player. It's a collection of rock songs enlivened by excellent musicianship, songwriting, and Janice Durham's exceedingly delightful voice. The song "Walking In Your Sleep" knocks me out every time I listen to it, especially the way Janice Durham uses the range of her voice in it, but it's by no means the only wonderful song on this disc—they're all good. Why isn't she better-known? She even manages to pull off a song called "Get Out Of My House" that doesn't pale beside Kate Bush's similar song. I can only pray enough people hear this and she'll keep writing and recording. I want MORE. (Neile)