Janis Ian - Present Company (1971)

This could accurately be described as Janis Ian's first comeback album. After four Verve albums during her teenage years, as well as the hit single "Society's Child," Ian struggled through her remaining albums for the label, battling indifferent record executives and A&R people. Although quite low in spirit and somewhat depressing, those final Verve albums were still breathtaking. Here, on her first (and only) Capitol album after breaking the Verve contract, Ian experienced a wonderfully positive musical rebirth, which resulted in an extremely buoyant record both musically and spiritually. Tracks such as "He's a Rainbow," "Here in Spain," and the title track are uplifting and exciting as well. The album is also Ian's loosest affair, and this may have to do with ex-Youngblood Jerry Corbett's role in production and musicianship.© Matthew Greenwald /TiVo