JANEY KIRK - Streets Of Loneliness

Fifer JANEY KIRK has been a long time favourite on the Scottish social club and cabaret scene, but has always had the ambition to further her career. Her recent albums, “Sweetheart Darling Of Mine” and “Don’t Colour Me Blue” have established her as a firm favourite on the Country concert circuit and exposure on various Showcase TV programmes, and on concert tours like “Ladies Of Country” and the forthcoming Derek Ryan Scottish tour.

For her new album, “Streets Of Loneliness” (Premier Records), she has teamed up with Jerry Donahue, who was a huge part of the folk music scene in the 1970/80′s with Fairport Convention and Fotheringay. The album has a line up of high profile players and is all self penned songs leaning towards a more modern country genre.

The title track is a really strong uptempo song, and has a great video on You Tube to support it. It’s really radio friendly, and should get her some good radio play.

“Love Triangle” is a catchy uptempo song on an old Country love theme. It works really well. 

“Apple” and “Black Widow Spider” are, perhaps, a shade more pop, but still quite listenable. “Count Me Out”, is quite different again, and really brings out the raunchiness in Janey’s voice.

I really enjoyed the catchy “Leave Me Alone”, about someone who thinks too much of themselves.

She can also deliver a neat ballad. “Here We Are” is quite a delicate sounding song, which suits Janey’s voice just as well. But my favourite is “Try Again”, another ballad, which features some really nice instrumentation, thanks to Jerry Donahue, and a really lovely delivery from the singer.

Then to close the album, something of a 4½ minute anthem. In Runrig style, she delivers a danceable uptempo version of “Wild Mountain Thyme”, which slows right down in the middle.

You can tell that Janey has put a lot of effort into the album. It’s an album that really picks up on her versatility and energy.  She has her own sound, and delivers it well.

Recommended.