"To Make A Difference is original folk rock featuring Jana's songs and breathy, ethereal vocals. Her moody melodies and emphasis on sustained notes recalls Laura Nyro in her heydey. "Barren Ground" is pleasantly retro, with Byrdsy harmonies; "Dreamin' Again" veers towards Enyaland with a wall of sound synthesizer backing." . . . Dirty Linen

Buy a t-shirt or a mug at Jana's Merchandise Store at Cafe Shops.

	MIR 0122 artist: album: date:	- jana smoke & mirrors 2004
Produced by Going to the Moon Productions. All instrument recording & mixing by Jeff Tweeter at MIR. All vocal recording and mixing by Jeff Thornton at MIR. Mastered by Jeff Thornton at MIR.

"Smoke and Mirrors" is the kind of second hand smoke you don't mind being explosed to. The latest release of Jana's emotionally honest songwriting and ethereal vocals, teamed with Jeff Tweeter's magnetic instrumentation. Prolific and talented, they offer you a connection to inner spirit. "Smoke & Mirrors," consists of 11 tracks, that vary in genre and style, from acoustic to electric, from insightful to apparent. Each song tells a different story, revealing experiences both personal and universal. Be prepared for a rainbow of sounds ranging from folk to sophisticated pop, rock, jazz and that occasional bit of funk devout fans have come to expect.

1	for you	4:45		more info
2	surviving so	6:17		more info
3	stick to you	5:07		more info
4	to know	4:38		more info
5	lucky day	3:08		more info
6	private gates	5:29		more info
7	enchanted minds	5:03		more info
8	many a time	3:50		more info
9	sit me down	3:35		more info
10	hey yeah	5:58		more info
11	darn right	4:51		more info

"Jana's music subverts traditional structures by moving freely without paying heed to convention. The opening track, "For You", is a fine example of this - the song has only one line without rhyme, which is repeated at various junctures throughout the track. By doing so Jana makes her first track with neither traditional verse/chorus structure nor typical rhyme schemes and predictable song segments. In fact, unlike most albums, the music here doesn't feel segmented at all. Rather the songs feel natural because the usual swift transitions from verse to chorus are gone and replaced by music that more gradually rises and falls. The instrumentation on this record is unpredictable as well. Disparate elements exist throughout the record - from the hard-rock guitar wail at the end of the folk laden "Enchanted Minds" to the soft soulful patches on the otherwise funky "Lucky Day". Several tracks on what could be characterized as a new age folk record represent genres by mimicking their conventional forms. "Private Gates" is the repetitive blues track, "Many a Time" the rocker which attempts to break Neil Peart's record for the most drum rolls in a single track. Although they succeed in getting down the genre they fail to match the subtle originality of the preceding tracks. Jeff Tweeter and Jeff Thornton produced this record to good effect making heavy use of echo and layering to give Jana a slightly different voice on virtually every track. Acoustic guitars sound lucid and dominate the soft bass and drums. Considering the wide assortment of styles on Smoke & Mirrors the production incorporates different elements to better suit the specific songs. Overall the production and instrumentation combine to make this a worthwhile record." Review by Robert Nase for Ear Candy

"Jana's songs support traditional love, -- a liberal, new-agey character who breathes a blanket of warmth over her songs. "Darn Right" is her best song, with an unexpected doo wop flavor and keyboards as driven as your favorite twee popster. It's also lyrically interesting, a baldly honest dialogue between the artist and her audience. You have the unfortunate CD buyer ("Darn right, nothing's any good / Take it back, I knew you would"), and the depressed, increasingly bitter performer ("Darn right, pay me in advance / I'm not willing to take a chance"). With Jana's suddenly breezy vocals, it's almost unsettling. Smoke & Mirrors is a distinctly memorable listening experience that surprises as much as it pains. While every track before "Darn Right" is vocally abysmal, the arrangements are clever and very democratic. Heavy metal, New Orleans jazz and space cult keyboards all make their presence felt, and the guitar work approaches genuine brilliance. As Jana has released roughly one solo album per year since 1998, you'll be compelled to credit her for her strength and resilience. Like all differently-talented singers who somehow maintain their dreams and hopes ("Just might be your lucky day"), she possesses a certain charm that will help you to brave another day." -- Theodore Defosse Splendid Reviews

"The music on “Smoke & Mirrors” is pleasingly difficult to categorize. The music is very groove laden and layered. Jana does all the writing of words and music and Jeff Tweeter plays all the instruments. I’m quite impressed with his versatility and the way he has shaped the sound. It seems a perfect match to Jana’s poetry and expression. This is a unique sound that is intelligently written, arranged and played." - Stacey Board The Muse's Muse

Steve Allat of Muses Muse Magazine says . . .
"For Fans Of: Roxy Music, Kate Bush, Laurie Anderson, Chicago
Fav Track: To Know, Lucky Day, Darn Right, For You.

First of all, you need to know that in listening to this CD you are going to hear sounds and stylings which cross many musical borders - from light, ethereal pop to harder-edged pop-rock. Along the way, you'll notice an overall infusion of light jazz elements, and of course, Jana's soaring vocals. As the CD winds it's way through 11 tracks, there are three things you will notice: 1. Jana's vocals are beautiful, strong and melodic 2. The musicianship is absolutely topnotch. 3. The production is strong, even and sensitive to the music and the vocals. The open, atmospheric style suits Jana's vocals and lyrics. She sings about love & life in a very simple and straightforward way, so much so that one of my favourite tracks is the final cut, which features just Jana, a synthesized loop and some hand-claps. To me, this CD is very very good. Jana's words and melodies carry the tunes very well."

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	MIR 0116 artist: album: date:	- Jana Break the Mold 2001
Produced by Jana & Going to the Moon Productions. Engineered by Jeff Thornton at MIR.
With Derrell Brown & Johnny Hozey from Mississippi. More of a jazz edge on this one. You still get some of the folk/rock roots with "Totally" and "Not Any Fool". Listen to "Are" and "Angry Wind" for some jazzy Jana piano solos. Break the Mold of the corporations, your expectations and generalizations! "Jana utilizes several different styles of music on Break the Mold to create a very interesting sound of her own. From psychedelic rock to jazz to acoustic to just about every other artistic style she can think of. The music has a moody aura that is somewhat haunting, but always entertaining. There is really no one way to describe this music. It's an eclectic blend of styles that really works well with the distinctive vocals of Jana.  Jana has no problem in convincing me of her talent. Music fans of the fusion of genres will love what is done on this album. " . . . Michael Allison - The Global Muse 1 totally   2 are 3 be satisfied 4 water so shallow 5 not any fool 6 what's in a name 7 vermont   8 buzz buzz   9 feel like running   10 when will peace come   11 angry wind   top MIR 0114 artist: album: date: - Jana Face Value 2000 Produced by Going to the Moon Productions. Engineered by Jeff Thornton at MIR. Solo project. Singer/Songwriter. Up close and personal. Interview clips will give listeners insight to Jana and her musical philosophies. 1 vermont   2 dreamin' again 3 carry me 4 i feel like running 5 hear me 6 hey yeah 7 in your heart   8 closet musician   9 you're constant   10 totally   11 transcendence   top
	MIR 0109 artist: album: date:	- Jana Closet Musician 1999
Produced by Going to the Moon Productions. Engineered by Jeff Thornton at MIR. All of Derrell's and Johnny's tracks were recorded & mixed by Derrell Brown at Demoman Productions, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Intense songs from a masterful songwriter. Jana elicits help from dear friends Derrell Brown & Johnny Hozey on this release. Great production and vocal work. Click the "more info" buttons for individual lyrics and musicians. Other guest appearances by Jeff Tweeter, Deb Mercier, Paul Hardy, Jeff Thornton and Luis Moreno.

"Jana is an artist that is starting to grow on me.  I  appreciate her style and grace. The lyrics on "Closet Musician" are very well written, and contain a certain beauty and charm. Jana's vocals are great.  I found an appreciation in the music because it reminded me of something that Steely Dan would do. The music has an intelligent feeling to it. The arrangements give this simplistic style a complexity that adds to the aura. The instrumentals show off the excellent musicianship of Jana and the musicians who joined her. All in all, this album does pretty well to get over as an intelligent singer/songwriter/musician type album. I think it would be more appealing to those who like their music with a little more substance than what typical pop delivers . . . . " Michael Allison - The Global Muse

1	closet musician	4:08			more info
2	what would it take	5:48			more info
3	i see the need	6:08			more info
4	born within	4:09			more info
5	somedays	2:24			more info
6	where do we go from here?	4:16			more info
7	strive for more	4:46			more info
8	escape from	3:12			more info
9	feelings turned red	3:05			more info
10	that instrumental thing	4:06			more info
11	sittin' in the dark	5:57			more info
12	i know it's true	2:50			more info
13	precognition	3:31			more info
14	strange imaginings	6:14			more info
15	carry me	3:31			more info
16	jorma's song	3:41			more info

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	MIR 0105 artist: album: date:	- Jana To Make a Difference - Revisited 1998
Produced by Going to the Moon Productions. Engineered by Jeff Thornton at MIR.

1	barren ground	4:34			more info
2	in a garden	5:52			more info
3	jubilent circumstance	6:58			more info
4	are you listening?	2:49			more info
5	dreamin' again	4:46			more info
6	i do, need you	4:37			more info
7	jesse ed	2:56			more info
8	why can't i be blessed	3:52			more info
9	hear me	3:09			more info
10	in your heart	4:19			more info

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Although singer/songwriter Jana was born and raised in small town surroundings, her influences span extensive years of study and a genuine respect for a variety of musical styles. Blessed with a supportive family and a constant craving to create, she began her musical search pursuing piano and guitar at ages seven and nine. That beginning has led to the solid musical foundation she shares with audiences today. Interested more in creating original material, Jana concentrates on her own music and evolving style. Her copyrights alone list over 100 songs, written since 1981.

For 2000, Jana released a solo project, “Face Value”. Released in July 2001, "Break the Mold" features Derrell Brown & Johnny Hozey from Mississippi. Completed for 2004, is "Smoke & Mirrors" with Jeff Tweeter. Besides her solo projects - you can hear more from Jana with features on seven different Maple Island Records various artist projects, VAP ONE, VAP TWO, VAP THREE, MIR Selected Cuts Live and the Lost Cabin Sessions - Volumes One, Two & Three. She also does harmonies on two John Wilber releases: “The Road Home” & "Alive & Well on the Skids".

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