Email Contact
janah@janah.org
Management Contact
Barney Kilpatrick
(770) 518-6434
barney@rattlesby.net
www.rattlesby.com
Reviews & Quotes
Kind words from The Boulder Weekly: boulderweekly.com
Check out Janah's interview on this UK website: dmme.net
Pete Feenstra- RealMusicLive (www.feenstra.co.uk):
"Given the fierce musical independence of REM it perhaps comes as no surprise to learn that the infectious Afro rhythms, Celtic leanings and mesmerizing riffs of Janah should also hail from Georgia.
But REM aside, this band kick musical history into touch with an at times bizarre World Music style that is nothing short of infectious.
Both the "Swan In The Monsoon" title track, with its driving rhythms and "Shine Halo" with its eastern feel, and joyous harmonies, make this an album that might just crack the contemporary music scene.
If college radio is alive, this is the stuff that should fill the airwaves. On "Tomorrow Keeps Us Happy", the band employ a huge drum sound to underpin some funky rhythms neatly accompanied by Bill Douglass on sitar with accompanying tablas and various percussion instruments and an almost Zeppelin influenced "Kashmir" riff. The following staccato style "The Wheel" starts out as a Celtic hoedown and moves into a Dervish chant. It's a piece full of restless musical ideas, which neatly sums up a great band."Playgrounds Magazine:
"On Swan in The Monsoon the journey is slightly more familiar but in no way commonplace.the good news is that the mystery still surrounds you.
Janah's second release features the same mélange that made World That Surrounds You such a pleasure. They still take U2's soaring sense of grandeur and the conundrum of early REM and blend it successfully into their own unique songs and sounds. What they say is not as important as how they say it.
The songs are constructed in such a way to provide a passport, but the transport is still up to the listener. Transition and movement are the themes here. Janah is proving to be a band that can provide a soundtrack for the migration of the human spirit. "
“…a jubilant, compelling record…” - Chicago Sun Times
“…a pleasing mix of musical worlds smacking together in mellifluous union…” - CMJ New Music Report
“…everyone I play it for wants to know who it is and where they can get a copy.” - Lollipop Magazine
Please check out this wonderful feature story about Janah from the Boulder Weekly by Pamela White.
Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta 2002:
Critics' Pick AND Reader's Choice - Best Local International / World Music Band / Artist
"......... JANAH's innovative percussion and exquisite vocal harmonies evoke the windswept Egyptian deserts and pungent Middle Eastern atmosphere... On stage, the incense, candles, exotic instruments, colorful attire and (hubba hubba) belly dancers add to the experience."
Modern Drummer Magazine: Rated 9 out of 10, March 2001.
“A musical melting pot drawing upon folk music from all corners of the earth on World That Surrounds You Janah puts it all out there….”
“Blended into a rhythmic wall of sound and extremely well orchestrated, percussion like this is great to hear within such a skewed pop setting.”
Sound420.com:
"The music is designed to inspire and musicians are going to find plenty to chew over in Keith's arrangements, they are just so different from anything else that is around. Janah's eclectic cocktail of traditional sounds has achieved the impossible in contemporary music - originality."
Tour Dates.com:
“……….A Janah concert is like taking a musical cruise around the world and through time, both at once. You can hang your hat on the rock solid groove of the rhythm section, which is always tight but never boring, or float freely on the catchy hooks of penny whistles and exotic imaginative lyrics. Just when you think you can label them, the mood has swung and you’re glad you’re along for the ride…………….”
“………Whether you’re a musician in need of a healthy dose of inspiration or you simply love music but are tired of the rehashed wave of sincere but mediocre sounds that flood our city every night looking for sympathetic ears, go hear Janah. Find someone with thirsty ears and take them with you.”
Creative Loafing (Atlanta): 2000 Honor Roll
“A percussion heavy magic carpet ride to the Casbah. Janah combine elements of world music and traditional rock to offer a hookah full of throbbing travelogues and vibrating landscapes”
“………songs full of drama and orientalism that spice up the music…..…………A sort of cross between U2 and Rusted Root but actually a lot better………”
CD Now.com:
“………..Majestic is the word that comes to mind. Janah’s style is a rock based “world” music but it covers so much more of the world than any other band of that genre. And those other bands only wish they could rock as hard as Janah does live; anyone can play a loud guitar – it takes a lot more energy to build up a wall of sound with other instruments”
