Great Music - Janet Jackson

I have to admit this post was inspired by my friend @xolondon. He recently Tweeted a link to what he thought was the best song of the 90s, That's The Way Love Goes. I found it hard to argue, since it is such a great song, she looks gorgeous in the video, just a perfect convolution of circumstance. That said, it made me realize this is the 20th anniversary of the release of Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, an amazing album which yielded four #1 singles and two others that made it to #2. The album registered sales of over 8,500,000 in the US and certified Platinum 6 times over, and selling over 14 million worldwide.

The first song released was Miss You Much, a scintillating song with a driving dance beat, Janet was busy making a name as Janet, not just Micheal's little sister. Produced by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jams (with Janet, Jellybean Johnson and John McClain also credited), it helped place them as the super-Producers of the era. Miss You Much as a single went Platinum.



The next single out was Rhythm Nation, a bold socially conscious song with a militaristic and industrial video that was part Orwell's 1984 and part Busby Berkeley. But the song only managed to make it to #2 on the US Hot 100 chart. The third single changed it up a little bit, was a sweet pop ballad with a strong beat, talking about love and needing to take the weekend to get away after working all week. The song was Escapade, and it hit #1 on the Billboard US Hot 100 in 1990.



Next on the schedule was Alright, and R & B funk song, sort of a tribute to the great artists of bygone eras, like Cab Callaway and Cyd Charisse. Rollicking as it might have been, Alright only managed to make it to #4 on the Hot 100 Chart. Once again, Janet needed to slow things down just a bit, and brought out Come Back To Me. While some might give their soul for it, the #2 position on the Hot 100 chart was a disappointment for this artist and album. Even though it might be the loveliest song on the album. Never one to rest on her laurels, the next single Miss Jackson put out was a totally rocking song, Black Cat. Written my Janet alone, the song speaks to addiction, but with a great guitar sound.



Black Cat was followed by Love Will Never Do (Without You), a beautiful and sensual song with a video to match. The video was shot by the amazing Herb Ritts, his camera caressing the beautiful Janet and costars Antonio Sabato, Jr and Djimon Hounsou. Shot in black and white and as little clothing as possible, with Janet in a cropped plunging tank top and the boys in Speedos, it was Ritts at his best.



Twenty years ago we were all listening to this collection of great music put out Janet Jackson, Miss Jackson if you're nasty... For more information, you can go to her official website here.

Great Women - Tracey Chapman

Not sure what else to say except that Tracey Chapman is an exceptional talent. As a songwriter, she can be so poetic, and the music so inspired and organic. As a singer, she is always right there with the interpretation, emotionally right there while maintaining her own ever so light quirky of cadence.



In 1988, the self-titled debut album was released, as well as the first single, Fast Car. When I think of what was playing on the radio at the time, this was about as different as you can get. INXS, Poison, Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, Chicago, Exposé, and Rick Astley were scoring the hits with produced and stylized pop, dance and rock, and here comes Chapman with a soft and subtle acoustic folk with an understated delivery. Not only did the song rise to #5 on the Billboard chart, it also finished the year in as one of the Top 100 songs of the year.



Seven years later, and Chapman is still putting out music that is in keeping with her own taste and style, while maintaining herself as a relevant artist on the radio. The 1995 release of New Beginning once again introduced some fresh air to the stale world of radio, giving a bit of the blues with the song Give Me One Reason.



Returning to 1988, the second single from the debut album was a bit more classic folk, at least in theme if not by music as well. Her discussion of social issues, from the welfare line to the unemployment line to the army of salvation was almost biting by comparison to much that was clogging the airwaves. The simple production of the song used light percussion and guitar, and focused on the voice and message of the song. It just seemed right. So here is Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution.



Tracey Chapman was rumored to have dated writer Alice Walker in the mid 90s, but to the best of my knowledge has never 'come out' with any information on her sexuality, although many presumed her to be a lesbian. To find out more about what has been going on in Chapman's life, visit here official website by clicking here.

Great Women - Ann & Nancy Wilson

Ann & Nancy Wilson are sisters and make up the group Heart. Nancy kicks ass with her guitar playing, both electric and acoustic. Ann Wilson has a voice few other can even touch. Together they stood in the face of conventional wisdom that said chicks couldn't play rock, and kicked ass. I own and cherish their early work together.

You can get more information from the official website by clicking here.