Sometimes you kind of rediscover singers you used to listen to a lot, but haven’t for a long time…. Such was the case when I recently re-accquainted myself with the great Janie Fricke (born 1947).

Janie was all over the airwaves in the late 70’s and 80’s here in Norway, and she even made it to one of the country festivals in Norway, receiving thunderous applause for her electrifying concert there.

I always liked her, and to my own amazement I found out that it was really a long time since I had listened to any of her music. Janie started out as a jingles-singer, and she is technically perfect. Her voice can be adapted to any kind of music, and she has vocal control way beyond another other country singer (except, maybe Connie Smith). She can singer the most tender kind of ballads, she can rock with the best of them, and she can be as down-home country as you’d ever want. Added to all of it, a slight southern twang in her voice – and you get the picture.

Her versatility may have worked against her, as by being able to sing absolutely anything she is also vocally a little hard to categorize, and might therefore not always be instantly recognizable.

I of course wanted to check out if there were any new albums by Janie out there that I didn’t already have, and that’s how I found the two collections I will recommend as a Christmas gift:

Janie's first 4 albums 1978-80

Janie’s first 4 albums 1978-80

 

Her first four albums (released 1978-80) have been collected onto a 2-CD package. They are: “Singer Of Songs” (1978), “Love Notes” (1979), “From The Heart” (1979) and “I Need Someone To Hold Me When I Cry” (1980).

 

Janie's next 4 albums (1981-84)

Janie’s next 4 albums (1981-84)

 

But it doesn’t stop there; her next four albums (released 1981-84) have also been repackaged onto another double CD, they are: “Sleeping With Your Memory” (1981), “It Ain’t Easy” (1982), “Love Lies” (1983) and “The First Word In Memory” (1984).

For a reasonable price, you can get the 8 first albums by this great singer, containing a total of 80 tracks, 21 of them placed high in the country singles charts also.

For any lover of 80’s country and/or great singing in general – these two packages belong under any Christmas tree! If you never heard Janie Fricke sing, you should treat yourself to a great listening experience. If you’re a long time fan like me, you probably know most of the music here, but will still be overjoyed by the fact that these albums are now available again!