Jan & Dean — Blog City

Jan Berry
Encomium In Memorian Vol. 1 (CMP)

This loving tribute was originally dreamed of as a collaboration between Berry and enough strings and brass and musical geniuses to give his complex arrangements of classic Jan & Dean hits, many that Berry based on classical music, the full orchestral treatment they deserved.

Berry’s passing and budgetary restraints reigned that in, but using humbler, but incredibly talented and motivated performers (with a few ringers, P. F. Sloan included) Jan & Dean gems are redone in lush, loving, and excellent performances.

But for fans of Jan the absolute selling point is the bonus tracks. [Jan] as a young man used to make tapes for a friend and some of his faux DJ patter is included, as is a tape of an older [Jan] telling tales. But the lowest common demoninator selling point of this is an audio montage of Jan & Dean cursing like sailors between takes at recording sessions. I would drop some f-bombs to demonstrate how awesome this is, but I’m intimidated by these professional profaniteers so I’ll just say it’s freaking great!

Flamin’ Waymon Timbsdayle
Roctober Magazine #47
Fall 2009

(Originally Posted September 30, 2009)

Filed under: Encomium In Memoriam - Jan Berry Tribute Album