Too often acts such as Janet Jackson are pelted with remarks such as “she can’t sing” or “her voice is weak”.
And although her most recent material hasn’t done dispel such claims, this week’s ‘From The Vault’ showcases the icon’s potential as a singer.
Recorded in 1994, this ‘Saturday Night Live’ rendition of ‘Anytime Anyplace’ (lifted from 1993’s ‘janet.’ album) is a fan-favourite. And for good reason too.
The jazz-influenced showing sees Jackson leave behind all the pyrotechnics and intricate routines (as well as her infamous backing tracks and pre-records). She instead allows her smooth mezzo-soprano to shine. Indeed, here demonstrates that one need not be a powerhouse vocalist like a Mariah or Whitney to convey emotion or serve up glitch-less performances. Rather, she shows that true vocal power boils down to control (pardon the pun)
With her heyday years behind her, we here at That Grape Juice are keen to see Miss Jackson present herself as just as much a vocalist as she is a performer. Still capable by most counts, as age catches up with her, perhaps its time she shines light on her most underrated gift yet– her voice. After all, in a world where the likes of Rihanna and Katy Perry are doing the same, Janet’s embrace of this model would not go amiss.
It may very well be what she needs to win her back the critical acclaim that has eluded the latter part of her career; perhaps helping her eventually win over the iTunes generation. Time will tell…