Janis Ian Live In Singapore
By Patrick Chng
February 26, 2005
Esplanade Recital Studio
Singapore
Thirty-nine years after her first record and Grammy nomination, Janis Ian finally traveled from Nashville, where she's been living since 1988, to Singapore for a one-night only performance; a rare occurrence that prompted fans from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Myanmar, Korea and Malaysia to converge at the Esplanade Recital Studio for an intimate solo gig by the legendary singer-songwriter.
The sound of strings opened the concert as Janis walked in and performed "Dead Man Walking." The "orchestra" was not a backing track. Janis' acoustic guitar was hooked up to synthesizer effects that gave her guitar a full-bodied sound and an additional array of sonic palette. She emphasized later on that everything the audience was hearing was live. Her occasional use of technology was sublime. But on top of it all, it was the stark honest songs that took the limelight.
Her assured guitar playing and poignant stage banter showed what a seasoned performer she was and just why there are Grammy awards sitting in her home. The packed house of about 240 people was mesmerized as she went through songs like "When I Lay Down," "When The Party's Over," "Society's Child" and "At 17." She talked about the songs -- providing anecdotes that were funny and moving.
The show was as honest as any show could get. Janis wore her heart on the sleeve and by exposing her vulnerability the audience was touched. Not many performers have the ability to do that. Like Janis said during the gig, she could play the popular songs and everybody would love her but she chose to play the songs that meant the most to her. It was like a group therapy session. And it ended on a high note as Janis played a sensitive yet uplifting version of Sonny & Cher's classic hit "I Got You Babe" during the encore. How apt it was. She got to us and she got us all right.
The setlist:
1) "Dead Man Walking"
2) "Watercolors"
3) "When I Lay Down"
4) "From Me To You"
5) "Through The Years"
6) "When The Party's Over"
7) "Between The Lines"
8) "I Hear You Sing Again"
*intermission*
9) "Stars"
10) "Society's Child"
11) "In The Winter"
12) "Ride Me Like A Wave"
13) "At 17"
Encore
14) "Jesse"
15) "I Got You Babe"
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