Sparkle

Personnel includes: Sarah Jahn (vocals); Matt Bronleewe, Glenn Rosenstein (guitars, keyboards, programming); Jeremy Bose (accordion, keyboards, programming); Miguel DeJesus (bass); Joe Porter (drums, percussion); Kirby Shelstad (tambourine, percussion).
Personnel: Sarah Jahn (vocals); Glenn Rosenstein (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar, Mellotron, programming); Matt Bronleewe (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, keyboards, programming); Jeremy Bose (accordion, piano, pump organ, chamberlin, Mellotron, mini-Moog synthesizer, programming); Joe Porter (drums, congas, shaker); Kirby Shelstad (congas, finger cymbals, dumbek, tambourine).
Audio Mixer: Rick "Soldier" Will.
Recording information: Castle Recording Studio, Franklin, TN (07/1996-09/1996); Sixteenth Avenue Sound Studios, Nashville, TN (07/1996-09/1996); Sound Emporium Recordin (07/1996-09/1996).
Photographer: Cynthia Levine.
Sparkle is the debut release for Christian rock/pop singer Sarah Jahn. Produced by veteran studio producer Glenn Rosenstein and featuring musical and writing contributions from members of Plumb and Jars of Clay, Jahn is part of the newer breed of Christian artists who aren't quite as overt about the religious aspects of their music. Instead, on Sparkle Jahn subtly introduces spirituality into the lyrics without beating the listener over the head with it. Musically, she resembles Shawn Colvin on the jangly single "Crucible," and "Love Learn Happy" has an airy, Joni Mitchell feel to it, with accordion and congas spicing things up. Mostly, though, Jahn sounds like a throatier Sarah McLachlan, the best examples being the slinky, hypnotic "Chronic" and the dreamy "Lullaby," and that's when Sparkle works best. Jahn delivered a listenable, if unmemorable album. ~ Tom Demalon