Janice Barnett
Janice Barnett is a soul and beach music singer known as the "Queen of Beach Music." She gained recognition as a former beauty queen and centerfold in Jet Magazine during the late 1960s.
Barnett met guitarist-vocalist Reggie Saddler in the late 1960s, leading to the formation of the group Janice. She transitioned from beauty pageants to music, leveraging her vocal talent and striking presence.
In 1971, Barnett served as the opening act for Tina Turner, marking a key milestone. She has entertained audiences for decades with soulful performances, earning her beach music nickname through regional popularity in the Carolinas and shag dancing scenes.
Barnett collaborated with Reggie Saddler on the Janice album and group. Recent mentions include family interviews highlighting her enduring legacy, such as with her niece Lauren Barnett.
Janice
A2 Goody Two-Shoes (Janice Barnett, Reggie Saddler 6:11)
A3 I Told You So (Janice Barnett, Reggie Saddler 3:32)
A4 Take Me Away (Janice Barnett, Reggie Saddler 4:57)
A5 Him (Green, Sutton, Fuqua, Barnett 4:56)
B1 If I Had Known (I'd Be Gone) (Janice Barnett, Reggie Saddler 4:02)
B2 Love On The Line (Sutton, Fuqua 5:34)
B3 You're Letting Me Go (Janice Barnett, Reggie Saddler 3:46)
B4 I Should Have Left You (Sutton, Fuqua, Pollard, Mills 5:49)
Label: Fantasy – F-9492
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
The 1975 album by Janice Barnett, simply titled Janice (sometimes referred to as Janice (The Group)), is a superior soul/funk record and a treasured collector's item among soul and beach music fanatics. Though it achieved no initial commercial success, it is now considered a prime example of mid-70s soul.
The album is a mix of funk and soul with uptempo, sometimes Salsoul-like, disco elements. It features lush harmonies and a tight sound, combining a catchy groove with Philly-style brass and strings arrangements. The overall sound has been described as a "total gem of a soul/disco record" with an "earthy brand of soul".
It was produced by the legendary ex-Motown writer and producer Harvey Fuqua for Fantasy Records. The rhythm arrangements were handled by Fuqua and Reggie Saddler, while strings and horns were arranged and conducted by Wade Marcus.
Janice Barnett, a former beauty queen and model, provides "torridly impassioned" lead vocals, with a raspy soul voice often compared to Gladys Knight.
Notable tracks include the northern soul/beach music club floor-fillers "I Told You So" and "If I Had Known (I'd Be Gone)", the sweet soul ballad "Goody Two Shoes", and the gospel-tinged "Him".
The album represents the complete recorded legacy of the group, which sadly lacked commercial breaks at the time of its release. Barnett later had a successful career as a gospel artist and an actress.
The main group members were:
Janice Barnett: Lead vocals, baritone vocals
Reggie Saddler: Lead guitar, baritone background vocals (and Janice's husband)
Freddie Morrison: Bass, second tenor vocals
Norman Ferrington: Drums, percussion
William Acosta: Keyboards, first tenor vocals, Spanish vocals
The album has been digitally remastered and reissued on CD by BGP Records, making it more accessible to modern soul aficionados. You can find more details and track listings on sites like Discogs.