60 years ago the song "Society's Child" hit the scene like a sonic shockwave. Dozens of record labels refused to release it. Until Verve Records (renowned for jazz) stepped up and did the right thing. Radio stations also banned it.
The year was 1965 and America was experiencing the societal shocks of the Civil Rights movement. It was a 15 year-old slip of a girl, JANIS IAN who had unleashed an astounding song - that spoke of young love across the racial divide - that provoked such fury in some quarters, and admiration from others, including maestro Leonard Bernstein.
This is the opening sequence of an important film JANIS IAN: BREAKING SILENCE. The film's director, Varda Bar-kar (Fandango at the Wall, Big Voice) succeeds superbly in achieving the balance of Janis Ian's life story and musical journey; both the human story and the splendid music are given plenty of space to breathe.
Every meaningful song was showcased, including my favourites, "At Seventeen," "Jesse," "Stars," and "Between the Lines."
This weekend we were invited to see an early screening of the documentary at a Palm Springs Film festival. I was moved and inspired by it. And it's no wonder that in the day, Janis Ian's albums sat beside Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Carol King and Joni Mitchell in my vinyl collection.
Varda Bar-Kar, with her deft touch and directorial vision, has taken this singer/songwriter with a sublime voice and insightful and poignant pen from the shadows, and has placed Janis Ian where she belongs, besides the greatest peers of her generation.
It is fitting that this musical protege is finally acknowledged in film, on the 60th anniversary of Society's Child, and that Janis Ian's genius of American song is showcased to the world.
Please, when JANIS IAN: BREAKING SILENCE comes to a theater near you, make sure you see it 🎶
(Full declaration: I do appear on screen underscoring the significance of Janis Ian's stand for integrated audiences under apartheid South Africa.)
- a former record executive and author.
