Want Janet's EP released in Boston

[Patrick]

Hi all. Was a major Tribe fan and saw them at least a half-dozen times. Have the record version of their first EP, and Here at the Home. May send in some B+W photos I shot at concerts soon. Also have cassette bootlegs of a couple concerts if I can find them.

Like an idiot, I bought Janet's solo EP on cassette. Would love it on CD or MP3. Anybody got it?

[Paul]

you have something of Janet's on cassette? I don't think anyone here is/was aware of any solo material released? Is it a promo tape?

In any case, there are many ways to convert tracks on a cassette to a CD and/or mp3's, etc. I have a nice self-contained machine, no computer needed, and others may be able to help, too.

I'm sure I speak for many Tribe fans saying we'd love to hear what you got!

Thanks!

[patrick]

Hi. I have a cassette with just a plain white insert and plain black printing. I think I got it at Tower Records when her version of Dirigible (a much harder, guitar-heavy version than the Tribe versions on here) was getting airplay on WBCN and FNX. I was only home for a quick visit, heard it on the radio and snatched it up.

Songs are:
Dirigible
Settle Down
Song of Salome
Don't Touch Me

The label says she wrote all of them except Dirigible and it was copyrighted 1994.

I could possibly record it digitally but my tape deck is...um...old. Kinda sucks. The tape is already in less than ideal condition since it was played a hundred times in my oh-so-wonderful used car tape deck. And it's nicely aged with summer car heat.

That said, if someone wants to convert it to digital, I'm happy to send it along. Just mail me a disc back and you can keep the cassette. I'd be thrilled to contribute to this site. I just found it this week and the demos of Frankenstein, Fraidy Man and Hope Its Not a Storm have me feeling like my long wish for another Tribe album was just filled. Surprise!

So let's get the tape to the person who can best handle it.

[Janet La Valley]

Hey Patrick.

Janet La Valley here.
I happened to be cruising the website (thank you Steve), and saw this thread about my solo stuff. Actually, I am currently talking with my former writing partner Norm Demoura (who played guitar and bass on all the songs from my unreleased solo record and cowrote many of them), and we want to get some of those songs--including the ones you mentioned in your email--onto the janetlavalley.com website.
So I 'm asking you, and anyone else who may happen to have an ancient beat-up cassette tape of my original demo, to please hold off posting those versions. Norm and I have digital versions of those songs, and will post some, and may even make a CD version of that record availabe, since I own the rights to those songs, and can release them as I please.

And thanks so much for your continuing interest in my stuff.
Norm and I are talking about writing together again, so, hey, who knows: maybe so more songs will come out of that.

So once again, please hold off putting any of the Janet La Valley songs up on the website until Norm and I can get some really good sounding versions up.

Thanks for understanding,

Janet La Valley

[patrick]

Hi Janet. Thanks for posting. Of course I'll hold off. Thanks so much for trying to get good versions on here. I really like the demo and I started out looking for better recordings than I have. You posting stuff solves my request and eases my mind about possibly violating your rights to the recordings.

I'm so sorry your album never made it out. I was looking forward to it. I loved Tribe and you as a performer and have always looked at the band's struggle as a giant lesson in how life is not fair or just. Your music really, really touched a lot of people and you all deserved better.

I hope you have great success as a performer, if that's what you still want.

- Patrick O'Donnell

[patrick]

For those of you who never heard these songs, I'll offer a brief description to whet your appetite.

The Tribe demo of Dirigible on here sounds unfinished with a few dead zones in the song. Janet's version is definitely harder. A few moments in the chorus of the demos on here where she growls the lyrics and the guitar buzzes in the background come close. But the Tribe demo plods a little more and Janet's version has more ooomph.

Don't Touch Me is also harder than Tribe stuff, with a few guitar riffs that go beyond Tribe guitar solos. A lot of Tribe pieces always seemed very methodical, marching forward in a structured way until they build into something that soars or grabs you and pulls you along. This piece just roars and drives ahead in a more furious way. The chorus where Janet cries out "Please don't touch me!" is instantly followed with a crash of bass, guitar and drum. Pow! It's a jolt of adrenaline.

I think Settle Down is the weakest on here, though decent. It just doesn't hook me and bump around in my head all day after hearing it. I'm not surprised it was co-written with the bass player since it has a cool, energertic bass line pulling it along.

Song of Salome is both dark and fun. While Don't Touch Me shows off the angry Janet, this shows off a Janet that is evil, coy and playful. It's pretty melodic and clear as she prances through talk of desires and seven veils. Any of you who ever saw her in concert will appreciate a song with an opening like like: "Severed head...on a dish." Wikipedia descripes Salome as "icon of dangerous female seductiveness." That's a perfect role for Janet, at least for her performing persona anyway.

So Janet, please post stuff as soon as you can. I eagerly await it. To borrow your words...You can't deny me, Give me what I desire.

[Paul]

wow, we're so happy to hear that you're doing well, Janet, and that you're thinking about writing again!

And we all perfectly understand, and anxiously await anything that you may add to the website!

[Jeniphir]

I'd love to hear those songs! I await digital versions breathlessly.

(Hi Janet. Sorry I was scary stalkergirl in the early '90s. I am much more normal now, I think. . . )

--jeniphir

[DaveP]

Hey Janet, Dave Penzo here, how are you?

Not sure if you've talked to Greg, Eric or Terri but last year I asked em about the possibility of maybe getting together to play and see how it goes, They all sounded game but I haven't been able to get in touch with you. If you get a second give me a buzz or try my email. I think we could have some fun and I would really love to do this. Thanks.

802 310 5002
(I'm living right across the lake from your home town)
[e-mail]

[John]

Watch out for "Champ", Dave!

[DaveP]

come on John, how scary can the Lake Monsters mascot be?

[brian]

Am I reading this correctly?

Dave is trying to pull together a reunion???

I must be hallucinating (is it May 1988?)

[MightyJordan]

OK, I feel like reviving this thread, because I'd like to know if there's any update on the songs being released? I'd love to hear that tape, especially Janet's version of "Dirigible", as I've been listening to the Tribe demo version constantly for a few months now.

[John]

I'm really looking forward to Janet's record as well. I've been hoping for years we would finally get to hear it.

[bryan]

I would be all over this...if she has an album, I will be in line to get it. I downloaded All Right and run on the Charles to it every day.