Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Odd for Kingsway to decide to release this 1992 album now that (a) REX has its own arm here and (b) in the States this album is called 'Decapitated Society' but I'm glad they bothered. Detroit-bred Jan is one of the leading Christian exponents of that nu-folk/acoustic revival thing which takes in everyone vaguely roots-orientated. Jan has a voice pitched somewhere in the Suzanne Vega/Tracey Chapman mould, her accompaniments here are usually solely her own deftly played acoustic and her songs are excellent, usually insightful vignettes which recall T-Bone Burnett's oft-quoted observation that you can write about the light or the truth you see in that light. Jan prefers the latter and her songs like "Honeymoon" tracing the marriage of two young lovers through the years to an evening when they reflect on how their union has endured a life of trials and blessings; and the opener "Someone" where she asks the question about the media "so which one is really better, wolves in sheep's clothing or wolves who look like wolves?" A consummate new singer/songwriter.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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