Jazz Articles about Janiva Magness

Janiva Magness: Change In The Weather

by Doug Collette
September 16, 2019

Janiva Magness makes no effort to hog the spotlight as she Sings John Fogerty and as a direct result of her generosity of spirit, Change In The Weather stands even more distinctly on its own terms as a formidable piece of work. In interpreting this selection of twelve songs by the titular leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Grammy Award nominee and savvy studio collaborators (like Taj Mahal on “Don't You Wish It Was True") end up shedding some more ...

Janiva Magness: Love Wins Again

by James Nadal
June 9, 2016

There are those whose course in life was altered as music intervened, taking them in another direction. Janiva Magness was headed down a long hard road, when, as a desolate teenager, snuck into a nightclub, and got blinded by the blues. There were the obligatory lean years of paying dues before releasing, “More Than Live" in 1992. Ten albums and twenty-odd years after that, Love Wins Again reveals the singer as a woman brimming with confidence and gratitude for the ...

Janiva Magness: The Devil is an Angel Too

by Chris M. Slawecki
July 28, 2010

Just one listen to The Devil is an Angel Too, Janiva Magness' ninth album and second for Chicago's venerated blues label Alligator, immediately reveals why she's the Blues Music Awards' reigning “Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year" and “B.B. King Entertainer of the Year" (only the second female to cop the “Entertainer" honor--Koko Taylor was the first).For sure, Magness knows about the blues. Once a foster child deemed “at risk," Magness' musical talents illuminated her life's path; ...

Janiva Magness: Bury Him At The Crossroads

by Jim Santella
September 9, 2004

The voice gets you right between the eyes. As her powerful interpretation of the blues sweeps you off your feet, Janiva Magness captures your heart and soul as well. She belts 'em out with convincing authority.

Her band provides a little bit country, a little bit traditional Delta blues, deeply passionate moments, and a little bit of modern chemistry. The singer clears the air with her riveting voice and forceful emphasis.

With languorous, back porch, sit-a-spell ...

Janiva Magness: My Bad Luck Soul

by Ed Kopp
January 1, 2000

The pliant voice of Detroit-born songstress Janiva Magness enhanced Kid Ramos' latest CD, so much so that I simply had to check out her new release My Bad Luck Soul. Glad I did, because this is a fine collection of guitar-centric jump and blues.Magness has relocated to the Left Coast and adopted the region's swinging blues style. Magness is an appealing vocalist capable of lusty passion (" It's Love Baby," “Happy Hour"), gutbucket growling ("My Bad Luck Soul," ...