Scotcountryalbums

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Janie Kirk - Sweetheart Darlin' Of Mine


Janie has been playing the social club circuit across Scotland for many years, although is perhaps not well known in the Country clubs. This album should gain her more recognition by Country fans.
Janey proves herself to be a good vocalist, whilst the backing is superb. The delivery is excellent throughout the album.
The variety is quite impressive. She hasn’t gone for too well known covers, they best known one’s probably being Jim Glaser’ “Who Were You Thinking Of”, Merle Haggard’s “Pancho & Lefty”, and kd lang’s “Big Bone Gal”.
There’s a bit of Billie Jo Spears in here, but not instead of “Blanket On The Ground” or “57 Chevrolet”, Janey has covered album BJS tracks like “ Love Ain’t Gonna Wait For Us”, “If You Want Me” & “Silver Wings & Golden Rings”,
Then she Countryfies Dylan by covering “Senor” and “Farewell Angelina”. Both songs are given a really fresh treatment, and are probably my two favourite tracks on the album.
Janey is an accomplished writer as well, and has recorded 4 of her own songs on the album. I really liked the lyrics of “Clubland Singer”, which pays tribute to her fans. Despite telling about “singing her Country songs”, the instrumentation is just a shade rocky. “ Too Hot To Handle” is also just a bit too poppy, although Janey has obviously putr a lot of work into the song’s construction.
“How Could You Leave Me Now” is much more breezy and commercial, and I did really enjoy “Peace & Comfort” which closes the album in quite a sad & reflective mood.
A well produced, well sung album, with quite a mixed bag of songs. Well worth checking out.
Available from Janey Kirk Management on (01592) 716252