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From: notes@mcgill-vision.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: Jane Siberry
Message-ID: <133@mcgill-vision.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 27-Aug-85 14:45:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: mcgill-v.133
Posted: Tue Aug 27 14:45:07 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 29-Aug-85 21:29:57 EDT
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Organization: McGill University, Montreal
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Nf-From: mcgill-vi!leei    Aug 27 14:44:00 1985

It's really hard to explain Jane Siberry to someone who hasn't actually heard
her stuff but if you can actually conceive of merging Laurie Anderson and
Joni Mitchell in one person, she's about it.

Her first album was released in 1981 in Canada by Duke Street Records, and
I'm not sure about distribution in the US (probably none, so bad luck), but
it is brilliant.  Very strong vocals (her voice is almost always the most
prominent instrument) and the delicacy and wit of the lyrics leave almost
nothing to be desired.  She goes from 'Marco Polo', a satirical look at a
truly Material Girl, to a rather direct and funny conversation in a restaurant,
to 'The Mystery of Ogwen's Farm' (a song about a missing cow) to vague, native
Indian mysticism, to pure unadulterated frolicking.  Very hard to not listen
to over and over again.

The second album 'No Borders Here' (her first was just called 'Jane Siberry')
continues with the same sort of stuff, but with a more modern, experimental
flavour.  'Mimi on the Beach' managed to get airplay in most parts of Canada
even though it is not exactly designed for commercial radio, and I heard some
of her stuff on Alternative Radio stations in the northeastern US.

Definitely a MAJOR new find.  I just hope that the music industry, the radio
industry, and the public are mature enough to allow her to keep doing what
she's already done so successfully.

Apparently her next album will be produced and distributed by Windham Hill, so
it will probably get her quite a bit more exposure.

If you're interested in funny, serious, satirical, beautiful and thoughtful
music you will have to give her a chance.  Something definitely not to miss.

						Lee Iverson
						utcsri!mcgill-vision!leei