You Will Find Yourself Loving The Music Jane St. Clair Creates

By Ida Dorsey


There really are quite a few gem albums you will enjoy discovering on the Internet. Issued in 2007, the poignant album "Stories" is brought to you by the US musician, Jane St. Clair. The melodies and lyrics are all composed and written by her, and she also plays the acoustic guitar and sings her own words on all these songs. Jane's discs are obtainable via CD Baby, Inc, one of the Internet's premier music stores focused on the promotion of the works of independent performers.

Ms St. Clair is now at home in California. The airs she fashions fuse atmospherics with lyricism; formulating tunes which should interest people who take pleasure in jazz-pop, adult contemporary rock and jazz. Anyone who enjoys the musical panache of Diana Krall, Feist or Steely Dan is likely to recognize the value of this capable artist too.

Some of the influences apparent in this lady's work include Sting, Burt Bacharach and James Taylor. Jane has also been said to stream from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Stevie Wonder. The songs reflect a passion for words and narrative in the tradition of Tom Waits, Todd Rundgren and Carlos Jobim.

An upbringing that starts with an education in writing from the University of North Carolina is unmistakable in the eminence of language evident in Jane's refrains. Following Chapel Hill, Jane went to Boston to study composition at the Berklee College of Music. She broadened her musical instruction at CalArts, benefiting from tutors such as James Newton, Jon Bergamo, Paul Novros and David Roitstein.

There are many outstanding collaborators to "Stories", notably Ken Lasaine who helped to compose the emotional "Shower Into Gray" (a song devoted to those killed in the tragic events of 9/11), but also plays electric and classic guitar and the E-Bow. Other celebrated contributors on this album include Paul Litteral on horns and trumpet, Alan Pasqua on the keyboards, Danny Frankel on percussion and drums, Nedra Wheeler on the upright bass and Michael Manning on fretless bass. These instrumentalists have recorded and toured with top names with the status of Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Santana, kd lang and the B-52s.

Commentators on "Stories" speak of the lilting vocals, smooth gracefulness of voice and passionate efficiency. People refer to the songs being like poems set to harmonies. Inventiveness and individuality are characteristics often ascribed to St. Clair's ideas. The overall envelope delivers a crystal-clear, unique quality which stimulates the soul.

The uniqueness is improved by the arts of Dan Garcia who was responsible for engineering and mixing the LP besides adding supplementary percussion, guitar and trumpet as well as the final vocals. Jane's profound foundation in language and compositional education has given her the ability to construct sincere ballads combining Latin American grooves, intuitive instrumentation, intelligent phrasings and jazz influences. The supplementation of a redolent, supple and attractive voice on top of this mixture creates a sure-fire recipe for chart success.

Whether you are after the touching melodies of her albums or various other musical genres, CD Baby has a host of sub-headings to choose from. Prices start as low as $5. Vinyl lovers can also find hidden treasures on the website. Scores of hopeful bands and artists begin their careers by promoting their material over the internet.




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