JANIVA MAGNESS

Stronger For It

Alligator Records

By Mark Baier

After winning the Blues Foundation’s 2009 B.B. King Entertainer of the Year award (she was the second female to ever win this honor, the first being Koko Taylor), Janiva Magness might have thought the world had finally aligned in her favor. Fate however, can be a cruel mistress with different plans. With 2012’s new Alligator release Stronger For It, Magness demonstrates that she is the Jedi master against adversity. Or as Alligator’s Bruce Iglauer wrote about the new CD: “a self-confident statement of survival in the face of a series of very difficult recent events in her life.”

The consequent depth of her character and musical insight are on display with every one of the CD’s 12 passionate tracks. Primarily known as an interpreter of other’s material, Stronger For It finds Magness contributing three emotionally deep songs of her own, revealing a songwriting strength long overdue. This is important to mention, as her interpretations are so heartfelt and true that she owns every emotion and melodic nuance on Stronger For It, regardless of the composer.

Magness’s own “There It Is” opens things up and it’s a cathartic tour de force, with its soulful rhythms and clever riffing which support the song’s concept of “I never thought I’d want to hurt a man so much, but there it is”. His loss is our gain. Followed by her second composition, “I Won’t Cry”, Magness establishes a tone of self-reliance and spiritual fitness that’s frankly inspirational. To know her struggle is to know the depth of her strength. Tom Waits’ “Make It Rain”, finds Janiva confident and assertive -- one against the world. Her final composition, “Whistlin’ In The Dark” is optimistic and bright, echoing the jangley style of Curtis Mayfield.

Shelby Lynne, Grace Potter and Ike Turner all take turns having their compositions bought and paid for by Magness, as she assumes complete ownership of “I’m Alive”, “Ragged Company” and Ike and Tina’s “You Got What You Wanted”. Matthew Sweet’s “Thought I Knew You” with its expressive lyrics and subtle graceful pop-ish melody, allows Magness’s vocal depth and control to be on full display, her phrasing and meter a thing of beauty. Not only does she have perfect pitch control, she has a voice that’s soothing and velvety on one hand, street smart and blue on the other. There is a quality to her vocals that are like a favorite comfort food. Buddy and Julie Miller’s “Dirty Water” swaggers with the energy of a Texas roadhouse on Saturday night and Paul Thorn’s “Things Left Undone” could’ve been an outtake from Bob Dylan’s Time out of Mind, with its poetry and elegant arrangement. Stronger For It closes with Ray Wylie Hubbard’s gospel round “Whoop And Holler”, which provides an uplifting and optimistic coda to this deeply personal journey.

Indeed, Stronger For It is Magness’s most impressive offering to date, showcasing her vocal chops and interpretive talent along with first class production and musicianship. Magness has long been known in blues circles for employing the best musicians that L.A. has to offer, and Stronger for It is no exception. Dave Darling and Zac Zunis’ guitar work is lyrical and sweet while the rhythm section of Gary Davenport and Matt Teco work together like a Swiss watch. Arlan Oscar and Jim Alferdson provide keyboards while the silky background vocals of “Chico” Perez and “Freyco” Ballesteros harmonize soulfully. The depth and dimension of the arrangements and overall sound are first class. Stronger For It is a beautiful sounding recording.

Strength can be measured in many ways. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “We gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face.” It’s hard to believe, but she must have been referring to Janiva Magness’s Stronger For It!