The World Famous Ultimate Twang: Classic Album Review-Janie Fricke "It Ain't Easy"

Classic Album Review-Janie Fricke “It Ain’t Easy”

Today, we slide back some twenty-seven years for a release from Janie Fricke, “It Ain’t Easy”. While it wasn’t her highest charting album, only reaching number fifteen, it is arguably her most successful album, due to the fact that three of the four singles it spawned, would peak at number one, while a fourth would stop at number four. It was also during this album’s run, that Janie picked up two “Female Vocalist Of The Year” awards from the CMA, along with one, each, from “Music City News” and the ACM.

We start things off with “He’s A Heartache (Looking For A Place To Happen)”, the third single from the album, and the album’s second number one hit. I wouldn’t really call it a rocker, despite it’s up tempo beat, however, it is very lively and I think one of the standout tracks of the disc.

“Who Better Than An Angel” will also please most who listen to this disc, catchy melody and beat that will hold your attention throughout the track.

“It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Easy”, the title cut, and in my opinion, the best cut of the album. It was the album’s first number one hit, and deservedly so, as it is, in my opinion, one of the best cuts to make country radio during the first half of the 1980’s. A great ballad that I’ll argue for being a country classic.

Janie goes back to the quicker tempo for “Too Hard On My Heart”. Another light, bouncy track, that upon it’s release, twenty-seven years ago, likely found favor with many of her fans.

Side one ends with a song titled, “A Little More Love”. Pretty much standard fare, here. Nothing special; one of those songs you may not necessarily skip past, but likely won’t find anything to make you listen closely, either.

Whereas many albums of this era were big on ballads, this album actually keeps the slow stuff at a minimum, not that there’s anything wrong with slow songs. “Love Have Mercy” is another up tempo that again, while nothing special or groundbreaking, is a song that you likely won’t skip past, though you may not give it complete attention, either. Again, likely pleasing to her fan base at that time.

“Tell Me A Lie” was the fourth and final single from the album, and the album’s third number one hit. A ballad that’s not a bad song, and obviously one that many do like, based on it’s peak position, but it’s never done much for me.

On the other hand, I would argue that “You Don’t Know Love” is a ballad on par with “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Easy”. Simply an outstanding song, with a perfect arrangement, perfectly suited for her vocal styling.

That’s it for the ballads, as the tempo kicks back up with “Heart To Heart Talk”. It’s not a bad cut, but nothing particularly special, either.

Lastly, we come upon a “Tryin’ To Fool A Fool”. Again, a cut that I won’t say is terrible, but not anything special, either. In fact, my attention started drifting during this cut, so nothing really to hold your attention on this cut. Bland may be the best word.

Not too surprisingly, this album doesn’t seem to have ever been released on CD, however, if you are interested in a copy, there are several used vinyl copies for sale, most around the $3-$10 range. There were a few still sealed new copies for sale, as well, mostly around the $12-$15 range, though one person was trying to sell one for $40. I don’t look for that one to sell, anytime soon.

Overall, a nice album from the early 1980’s, that is in the country-pop vein that was dominant of that era. One thing listening to this album reveals, is the strength and quality of Janie Fricke’s voice, something that I had kind of forgotten, over time, not having heard her, much, in recent years. She was a very good vocalist that should get more credit than she does. The album has 2 or 3 average cuts, but those are more than compensated for, by the big three, “He’s A Heartache”, “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Easy”, and “You Don’t Know Love”. The strength of those three songs, along with three more good tracks, are enough to make this one a 4 out of 5. What do you think?