Janet Feld: What Others Say

"Hey...reading the lyrics again to "Rosalie's Diamonds" brought tears to my eyes. I heard every word last night but it's just as poignant as a poem...Had a blast! ...Can't say enough about your poise, confidence, humor....But the soaring, completely at ease, vocal passages were the true thrill... Still flying from the show.....A long lost friend becomes a life long fan....can't wait to see you play again....Did I mention that you have superior guitar chops as well...."

"Janet dahlink... I just wanted to again say how much I enjoyed your set last night. Your stage skills were just exceptional, the playing was beautiful, vocals were spot on, you were hitting on all cylinders."

"Although I have not owned any recordings of yours, I've been a big fan ever since I heard you do "Tick Tock World" at a song circle at Falcon Ridge. I think it was my first year, 1996 (or maybe 1998) ........ that has become one of my all-time favorite songs by any artist in any genre..."

"Janet Feld is a funny, literate and thoughtful country folkie in the mold of Mary Chapin Carpenter. The Somerville resident has a gift for a lilting melody and a thoughtful turn of phrase."

Janet Feld writes folk songs that tackle personal and political concerns in a literate and engaging way. Almost every track expresses moral doubt or social awareness in the tried and true singer-songwriter tradition, backed by gentle, lilting acoustic guitar melodies.
Most of Feld's lyrics are about personal issues, ranging from failed romance to physical and emotional insecurity. A multitude of moral dilemmas, some as minor as a youngster's petty shoe theft (on the guilt trip-worthy "Finders Keepers"), others as vast as reckless street violence (the poignant "Dear God", not to be confused with the XTC classic), play out in fine, observational detail. In "Here We Go Again", Feld speaks out against the war in Iraq with pinpoint accuracy and clarity.

"We traded the lives / Of young men and women / For the right to be right / And when the bodies are counted / and the peace treaties signed / How long 'til we do it again?"

These are the sorts of songs you could imagine your ex-hippie, retired schoolteacher aunt humming while eating granola on her back porch -- pensive, folky, twangy tunes with earnest, pensive lyrics. In this insincere, irony-ridden world, that's certainly not a bad thing.

"A sparkling CD...folk-pop of crisp dynamics, succinct thoughts and catchy choruses."

Janet Feld, who has a devoted local following, opened the evening with a flawless set of songs that featured her self-deprecating humor. Her ability to poke fun at herself and her "midlife crisis" hit just the right notes with this mostly middle-aged audience!
Tunes like "Houdini Bikini" and "I'm Married But I'm Not Dead" certainly resonated with this group. And she had everyone in stitches with "Do You Want to Be Right?" which dares to ask the question, "do you want to be right/or do you want to be in love?"
"Tick Tock World" featured some great guitar picking and Greg Greenway on accompanying vocals. Feld was a real treat for this listener, who will be sure to look for her to see what she's up to next.

Four Voices of Folk Entertain at Passim:
Janet Feld, Esther Friedman Shine in Local Spotlight

It was one for the women at a sellout crowd last Wednesday night at Passim. Apparently, the word had spread that four singers of extraordinary merit were on the bill..........Janet Feld led off as all four took to the stage. 1999 Boston Music Award nominee for Best New Contemporary Folk Act, she's opened for all of folk's big names with her remarkable mix of poignant lyrics, vocal dexterity, keen strumming and utter hilarity.

Janet's upbeat performance ensured that everyone had a good night. Her expert guitar playing with both hands on the neck confirms why she is the undisputed "Guitar Goddess"

"You can really rock for an old lady!!"

"The real gift is Janet Feld's music." in response to Passim's 'thank you' for his donation