Jane Siberry's The Speckless Sky, released in 1985, is classic progressive pop. “One More Colour” opens with the question: “is it lasting?” / and in asking / the sphere becomes a line. While “it” lasts, Jane wishes the same joy and fråeedom for all. Of a prisoner in “Seven Steps to the Wall”: he wants to write something down / he wants to sing a song or paint something. In “The Very Large Hat”: up there somewhere / a great band is playing / they're hot—everybody's hot / everybody's dancing tonight. Mid album, soundscapes balance urban superficiality with poetry that calls to our humanity. In “The Empty City”: life is a tall white building / lifting from the silent earth / it's carrying a message / carrying it away. “Map of the World (Part II)” feels like finding home in motion: I run along the dotted line / and I grab my flapping dress—whee / and the global winds rush past me / shouting—this is happiness. In “The Taxi Ride”, love is a strange thing / it depends what one gives / and sometimes to give means / give someone away.

Musicians Jane Siberry – vocals, keyboards, guitar Al Cross – drums Anne Bourne – keyboards John Switzer – bass Ken Myhr – guitar, guitar synth Rob Yale – Fairlight CMI programming, keyboards

Additional Musicians Teddy Borowiecki – accordion Sarah McElcheran – trumpet