Jennifer Warne’s first album was I Can Remember Everything released in 1968. I didn’t discover her until 19 years later when she released Famous Blue Raincoat. This 1987 collection of Leonard Cohen songs is still to this day one of my favorite albums, especially the 20th Aniversary Edition, which I reviewed here a couple of years ago.
Then it was five years before she brought out her next album, The Hunter. This album was very enjoyable and stretched her beyond Cohen’s songs. The only Cohen song on the album was “Way Down Deep.” We had to wait another nine years for The Well. This was an album that rivaled or exceeded Famous Blue Raincoat.
Now seventeen years later we have Another Time, Another Place. On her official website, she says, “I wanted the songs on Another Time, Another Place to be useful and functional, especially in these precarious times.” And, she is joined on the album by a host of musicians whose names you may recognize for accompanying legendary performers.
One of the things audiophiles liked about the three albums I listed above is that they were exceptionally well recorded and could really show off an audio system. Another Time, Another Place is equally well recorded, but I didn’t find any cut that I would call a system showcase song.
Another Time, Another Place has covers written or made famous by Frank Sinatra, Pearl Jam, Elvis Presley, and Dire Straits. The album is enjoyable, but overall it seems that most of these songs from diverse artists sound way too similar. I was really excited about hearing this album but in the end, the album is like the cover, kind of plain. If you buy it I hope you disagree with me. Feel free to let me know what you think!
Agree, plain is a very apt description.
Gently knocking on the door of narcolepsy.
I may be in the minority but Warnes is forever a one-trick pony.
Famous Blue Raincoat is the albatross around her neck.
But what a bird !
Yes, she will probably forever be remembered for that raincoat!