Jan Spillane Music

After the Flood by Bill DeYoung
June 2010 | Savannah, GA
"Jan Spillane is one of Savannah's premier singer/songwriters writing songs that somehow resonate with every listener on a different wavelength. With her soulful, expressive voice, she literally sounds like no one else, and is equally proficient on guitar and piano."
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British Singer Songwriter by John Cowell
March 2010 | UK,
"In the case of Jan Spillane singer songwriter, American though she is, she greatly channels that sensibility with influences such as John Prine and Joni Mitchell. Folk, blues, and country are all combined or mused on separately in Spillane's work and it is this versatility and desire to bend and warp established genres that makes her a wonderful songwriter."
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The Harmonica, Americana and U (SB) by Jim McLean
December 2009 | Riverside, IL
"...Groups including Wilco, Band of Heathens, Coachmen and Jan Spillane echo the musical sound that is pulling inspiration from all over the map. It is called Americana."
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Noteworthy by Bill DeYoung
September 2009 | Savannah, GA
"Soulful, sexy singer/songwriter Spillane (how is that for alliteration?) has the soul of a hopeless romantic, the voice of a smoky jazz chanteuse and the tenacity of a hardworking blues diva."
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Savannah native/singer Jan Spillane is "Thinking out Loud" by Justin Boykin
July 2009 | Savannah, GA
""Thinking out Loud" is like a day at the spa for your soul. It exfoliates stresses of the day into oblivion and by the time you're three minutes and thirty-four seconds into "It's All in Hope" (the final track of the album), you feel as if your heart has been, in a sense, refreshed. You know that feeling you get when you realize you're in love? Yeah, it's kind of like that."

Noteworthy by Bill DeYoung
July 2009 | Savannah, GA
"Breathy and brazen, swinging and sexy, Spillane gooses the blues, country and plain old Joni-esque folk music into something extraordinary."
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Noteworthy by Jim Reed
April 2009 | Savannah, GA
Over the course of four independently released albums, this locally-based songwriter has honed a trademark blend of bluesy, soulful, country-influenced pop that some call "The Key of Jan." With a powerful voice - that often nods to the jazzy conversations of her acknowledged influence Joni Mitchel-and a Willie Nelson-like knack for crafting lyrically touching (yet direct) odes to commonplace situations and emotions
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Lugnet / Calm before the storm, and a little Blues by Andy Berger's Blog
April 2009 | Sweden,
"Another tip is a country-cool lady in the Name Jan Spillane (cool name) and the plate Thinking out loud. Filled Atmosphere and beautiful country with a little splash of soul and funk, but quite a bit." (translated from Swedish language)
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Forever Folk by Hank Weisman
March 2009 | Tybee Island, GA
"Tybee Islanders have always loved great singer/songwriters. We have been lucky enough to have among us the likes of Tony Arata, Darryl Wise, Georgia Kyle Shiver, Jan Spillane and others, and we embrace them for their talents and their tales."
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CD Reviews by Freddy Celis
March 2009 | Belgium,
"Jan Spillane are singer - songwriter from Savannah in Georgia, she brings among others Americana, folk music and alto. country music, but with that does not keep it on, because also, jazzy influences emerge also regular in its numbers. What at a first bel onion phthisis immediately on falls a clear admiration for Joni Mitchell, is which hears you especially in the beautiful " Follow Your Heart" , but here and there also the influences emerge of others such as Janis Ian, Van Morrison and also James Taylor, something of which " I' ve Seen Heaven" then a witness is. Them writes strong songs, with beautiful thorough texts and the pleasure of the songschrijven and performen is clearly audible in its work."
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CD Reviews by Stevo (Rob Forbes)
March 2009 | UK,
"Jan Spillane - Thinking Out Loud (Wassaw Sound Records) This is a fine record from this Georgia resident. I don't know what it is in the water down south, but they produce quality female singers. This is her fourth album and the quality of singing and writing shines all the way through. It is an album of many differing styles, and it totally works. The album reflects all her inspirations, especially and most notably Joni Mitchell. The track "Reinvent Myself" might be the best song that Joni DIDN'T write. It is a beauty, with great jazzy style guitar and smoky, breathy vocals combining in the making of a great song."
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CD Reviews by Frank Ostergren
March 2009 | Stockholm, Sweden
"Jan Spillane texts has a proximity to what she writes about, where the sky is not only the above us but also all around us are heavens, places and people we should protect and care before it is too late. "Thinking out Loud" speaks for itself in a very pleasant musikspak." (Translated)
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Harmonious Happenings by Audrey Aaron
March 2009 | Savannah, GA
Jan Spillane's New Album Release. Though Lowcountry native and singer-songwriter Jan Spillane unleashed her sophomore CD in December 2008, the time to celebrate has finally arrived. Wilmington Island's Calibogue Cafe' will play host to an evening of blues, country and jazz fusion all in the name of Spillane and the friends who made her album possible. "It'll be down-home and rootsy," says Spillane of her sound and the expected atmosphere of the event. "I just fuse it all together. It's who I am." The project, Thinking Out Loud, marks a milestone in the artist's career as it coincides with the founding of her own label, Wassaw Records. There is no cover for the May 1 event, which includes complimentary refreshments, a Lowcountry boil and a cash bar with wine and beer. Calibogue Cafe' & Deli, 7906 Highway 80 East, 912.897.2919, www.caliboguesavannah.com. For more band information, visit www.janspillane.com.
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Recommended Shows by Jim Reed
March 2008 | Savannah, GA
"This area songstress splits her time between the Low Country and Music City, USA, where she's a regular face at famed acoustic showcase venues like The Bluebird and the Douglas Corner Cafe. She's independently released a number of impressive CDs filled with soulful and immensely personal takes on blues and pop-based ballads, laments and light folk-rock numbers tinged with gospel and smooth jazz - all of which feature her impressively expressive vocals). "
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by Patrick Rodgers
August 2007 | Savannah, GA
"Savannah favorite Jan Spillane has been back in the studio this summer working on a new album titled Thinking Out Loud, a follow up to her last full-length, Painting the Blues. Bouncing back and forth between Tybee, Savannah, and Nashville, the songstress found inspiration in everything from the Hostess City to a troubled friend and childhood. With the help of an interesting list of collaborators. Spillane will translate the disparate list of themes into her unique country-folk-jazz-Americana-infused musical style that has kept toes tapping across the Southeast. While there is no release date set for Thinking Out Loud yet, be sure to catch Spillane the next time she plays in the area; you might be able to catch a new song or two (as well as her amazing improv abilities) before the album becomes a surefire Savannah classic."
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24/7 with Jan Spillane by Aleigh Acerni
March 2007 | Savannah, GA
One thing I've always wanted to do but never have: "visit Italy and Ireland" ~ My theme song: "Aint Even Done With the Night" by John Cougar Mellencamp ~ If I had a vanity plate on my car, it would say: "KEY OF JAN" ~ Right now I'm reading: "Marley & Me" by John Grogan and "The Lost Continent" by Bill Bryson ~ The one item that has changed my life: "The guitar" ~ The most important thing I've ever lost: "my sister" ~ The world would be a better place, if only: "people would color outside the lines and little more often" ~ If I could be totally wild: "I would participate in the New Years Day Tybee Island Polar Bear Plunge" ~ Last major purchase: "A pair of cross-runner tennis shoes" ~ What you're always asked at parties: "What's going on with your music?" or "How is Nashville?" ~ My Family: "My true blue, Jon, and my dogs Abby & Starboard, My parents and brother live in Savannah" ~ My Work: "Full time singer, songwriter, musician, and part-time self-employed bookkeeper" ~ My passion: "writing lyrics and music" ~ Words I live by: "Think Big and Anything is Possible" ~ I'm most proud of: "Being able to do what I love" ~ I'm guilty of: "Wearing blue jeans approximately 95% of my life"
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Vibes by Jim Reed
August 2006 | Savannah, GA
"Painting the Blues runs the gamut from the country-tinged opener "5-Star Hotel," which sounds not unlike Jan's idol Joni Mitchell channelling the idyllic, jovial Americana of John Prine."
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Comments by Markham Brown
August 2006 | Nashville, TN
"If you sit down and listen to Jan Spillane's Painting the Blues album from beginning to end you will experience just what I did, an authentic look inside the life of a true Southern troubadour. If you want to know Jan like I do, just listen to this album. She will become an old friend instantly."
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Calls for a Coastal Songbird by Candice Dyer
January 2006 | Macon, GA
"She sings in a bluesy, resigned alto that makes your heart ache for the misguided narrator. Voila! A ballad about losing one's way. She is like a lyrical acrobat. Whatever the sound, it is always driven by intimate, affecting lyrics."
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by Michael Sullivan
July 2002 | Tybee Island, GA
"Whatever you do for entertainment, go shoot the breeze with Jan Spillane, the blues vocalist who grew up in a house behind Mike Hosti's Tybee Market. She is singing in town as well as Nashville, TN, and you can hear her on the Q, WRHQ classic rock. Jan says her newest CD, 2nd Nature, is selling well at Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Ms. Spillane is passionate about her writing and composing and says..."blues writing is not set in patterns, " and that is what excites her. Her voice is kinetic, flowing, and so sweet in range and composition. You don't turn this lady off. Wanna be a hero? Schedule her for your next event and have your guests talking for weeks..."
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by Jim Morekis
August 2001 | Savannah, GA
"Jan Spillane's wonderful, she's a great performer and songwriter." Tony Arata's comments from personal interview with Creative Loafing.
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by Lyon Layden
May 2001 | Savannah, GA
"Undoubtedly the best vocal jazz album released in Savannah in a long while, Jan Spillane's recent Gut Feeling is an exquisite example of southern drawing room jazz and blues. An accomplished pianist and vocalist, Spillane boasts an album entirely composed of original material which rivals contemporary jazz artists on a national level."
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by Curtis Lynch
May 1999 | Columbus, GA
"Spillane's vocals are simply wonderful throughout, an instrument surpassing all accompaniment." "Gut Feeling contains one of the most consistently professional and expressive vocal performances I've heard this year." "Gut Feeling deserves to be heard time after time."
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by Tony Arata
December 1998 | Savannah, GA
"Jan Spillane's wonderful, she's a great performer and songwriter." Tony Arata's comments from personal interview with Creative Loafing, Savannah, GA

by Lyon Layden
November 1998 | Savannah, GA
"Possessing a voice like Mary and writing like Harry, we have a hidden local talent in this town."
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