Janie Barnett & BlueRoom You See This River [Minor Regrets]

This is the second release from a singer-songwriter who has gathered together an impressive line-up of musicians across the 14 tracks included. There is a hint of Rickie Lee Jones in the vocal delivery and it is no surprise, given that Janie developed her career, partly singing backup, for iconic stars like Linda Ronstadt, Celine Dion, and … Rickie Lee Jones.

Produced by Janie and mixed by Michael Golub, who also provides ‘programming’ on several tracks; the gentle arrangements are full of restrained playing that serve the songs so well and the excellent musicianship is a joy throughout. Witness the trio of love songs, Wrap Me Up; Good Crazy Thing and Sweet Thursday and the lyrical timelessness of the melodies.

The subject of gun purchase is part of Buy That Thing and the fractured state of love gone wrong is touchingly illustrated in Walk It Out To You; with poignant and wistful vocal delivery and minimal guitar/piano accompaniment. Face The Voodoo is wonderfully quirky and reminds me of a Jane Siberry song.

This Small World and Another Round Before It’s Time both question the true meaning of love and the communication that should be an essential part of it. You See This River speaks of taking the jump and experiencing life, with all its risks and rewards. Beginner explores opening up to new love and being vulnerable, as does the sweetly supportive How You Are, in reaching out to a sensitive soul.

A very impressive body of songs that just get better with repeated listening. Recommended for all who like to dwell in the magical universe of the ethereal.