Janis Ian - The Light At The End Of The Line

Nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album 2022!

Janis' Ian's last solo studio album, The Light At The End Of The Line, is arriving on vinyl.

After the release of Folk is the New Black in 2006, Ian decided not to make another record until she felt she had "an album's worth of impeccable songs". Although she released several private "for the fans" items, and continued touring, she also set up a whiteboard with a constantly rotating list of songs in process, songs she thought would make the cut, and thoughts about subjects she wanted to cover. One thing that became apparent over the years was her strong relationship with her fans, and the sense that she and they had come full circle — from "Society's Child" through "Stars" to "The Light at the End of the Line."

"I've always considered myself a writer first," Ian says. "I think the hardest thing for any artist, as we age, is to keep our edge, to avoid the easy way out. After more than 55 years as a professional writer, it's not hard to use my experience to cover up a bad line, or an awkward melody. I really did not want to do that! I also realized that I'd never managed to make an entire album that felt like it lived up to the talent I was lucky enough to be born with. And, that my time was finite — I understood that in a completely different way as I turned seventy.

"I was floating along through lockdown, tracking new songs on my whiteboard, when I looked at the list one day and thought 'Omigosh, I'm just lacking the farewell song, and I have an album!' I knew I wanted it to be sparse, but I wanted a fuller picture for 'Resist' and 'Better Times Will Come.' I'd worked with Randy Leago for years and years, I knew he'd understand my goals on 'Resist' in a way few others could, so we began working long distance. We'd check in every 3-4 weeks to make changes, add or subtract, walking the thin line between what the song itself demanded, and what my voice could sustain. We talked about 'being in service to the song' and tried to stay true to that ethic.

"Once we'd finished, I also asked him to add things like the wonderful obligato clarinet run on 'Summer In New York,' and the moving harmonica on 'Stranger.' ... My artist friends really turned out for me on this (album), and I'm very proud that every single person I asked to join responded with an immediate 'Yes.' I've never said this before, and I never will say it again, but this is the best album I've ever made. Let it rest there."

 

 

1. I’m Still Standing

2. Resist

3. Stranger

4. Swannanoa

5. Wherever Good Dreams Go

6. Perfect Little Girl

7. Nina

8. Dancing With the Dark

9. Dark Side of the Sun

10. Summer In New York

11. The Light at the End of the Line

12. Better Times Will Come

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