Janet Holmes

The four tracks above are originals and are going to be on Janet's new CD. There are 11 tracks of which 7 are self written. The tracks are currently being finally mixed and should be ready for mastering by the spring. ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------EA RLY DAYS: Born and raised in Belfast, Janet Holmes first performed aged 14 and has remained fearless onstage ever since.Things began to veer towards the pro music world with the formation of BirdDog in 1997. BirdDog fused classic bluegrass and Irish trad with Swing-era jazz. A potent fusion, the groups album, 'TRADITIONAL ROOTS', appeared within six months and they played throughout Northern Ireland, with numerous music bar residencies and Irish festival appearances. After a performance at the European Bluegrass Festival in Holland (1999) a track from the groups set featured on the subsequent festival CD. Broadcasts included sessions and concerts for BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Scotland and Dutch radio. Janet left BirdDog in late 1999 when the imminent arrival of a baby put all her musical options on hold. ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ -----------THE RECENT PAST:Colin Harper Belfast-based music writer and biographer, who had long regarded Janet as a world class talent unrealised invited her to front a track (under communal guise as 'The Legends Of Tomorrow') for the September 2000 Market Square Records release 'People On The Highway: A Bert Jansch Encomium'. Among many others contributing to this hugely popular album was long-retired cult British R&B singer Duffy Power. Duffy was completely knocked out by Janets voice and, via Harper, initiated a series of virtual duets, recorded in London and Belfast, for the forthcoming swansong Duffy Power album 'True' (his first in 30 years!). This album is now available- with Janet on a previously unreleased track.Inspired by the belief in Janet shown by Duffy - a man who has worked with the very best of his time, from Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker to John McLaughlin and Rod Argent - Harper decided that such a world-class vocalist deserved a fair hearing on a national level even if he had to make it happen himself And he did! --------------------'THE ROAD TO THE WEST'- sleeved in the beautiful, dreamlike art of pre-war Belfast art visionary John Luke - is the result, encompassing influences that range from the bittersweet country sound of Emmylou Harris to the sweet soul of Paul Carrack. Some tracks emphasise one influence or another; lead track Be The One - co-written with current 'alt. rock' sensation and recording artist for Bright Star Iain Archer - gets the blend just right. ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------