The cliché review for a vocalist with a wonderful voice is that she could sing the phone book and sound great. The singer who goes by the name of Janet Planet could sound great singing a road map—and she sort of does do that with a set of songs extolling the marvels of various U.S.A. locales. Whether we’re roaming through the “State of Wyoming” or “Deep in the Heart of Texas”—whatever state she croons deep, heartfelt affection for—this listener was in a state of joy with this richly rewarding road trip. What we have is not just an instantly appealing, warm, airy voice but a singer with caring phrasing, excellent diction and intelligence. She has jazz smarts, too. She’s equally at home with “Home on the Range,” with its images of nature, as she is cozying up to city life. (In Rodgers & Hart’s valentine to “Manhattan” and its environs, she intones the words “The Bronx” and miraculously makes the glamour-challenged area sound like Paradise.)

The band is super: drummer Danny Lueke plus a pair of Johns (bassist Gibson and pianist Harmon) and a pair of Toms (sax player Washatka and longtime guitarist Theabo). The last three named contribute the often creative arrangements which showcase them prominently. They zip through a fleet, fun, frisky, jazzy jaunt in “Gary, Indiana” (from The Music Man) and go slo-mo so well with the tender territory. In that department, a major highlight is “My Kind of Town (Chicago Is),” its tempo slowed waaaaay down from its brisk, swinging origins. Revised and rethought, it’s romantic, with Janet lovingly lingering over words and images. If your own travels coincide with a live gig by Miss Planet, plan it (as you can in August in NYC at Feinstein’s) for she’s even better in person. And that’s saying something—because this CD is pure pleasure.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
July/August 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org