Janiva Magness – Truth In the Room – The Clearmountain Sessions
Made up of a few originals & interesting covers, this live performance is an excellent introduction to the vocal showcase produced by Grammy-nominated blues/soul singer Janiva Magness. It’s a 10-song set that explores Truth In the Room – The Clearmountain Sessions (Drops August 7/Blue Elan Records/44:18). Recorded live before an intimate audience of guests at Berkeley Street Studios in L.A. & mixed by Bob Clearmountain.
Having been around the barn a few times, I find Janiva a smoothly sculptured blues rocker chiseled from the same tools as Genya Ravan, a little of Janis Joplin, some Karen Lawrence, a dash of Tracy Nelson, Lydia Pence, Brenda Patterson, & an ounce of the late Candy Givens. But what Janiva brings today is fresh soul, determination, & grit. Necessary ingredients. There’s no posturing by Janiva; she has the intonation & phrasing polished & her rawness is from her range & sheer aggressive performance assault. She knows what lyrics require accentuation & which don’t.
Some tracks will come off with a little retro blues feel; the Hammond B3 organ will lay down thick & hot on the masterful “Slipped, Tripped & Fell In Love.” But it’s when Janiva’s whispering over the fiery lead guitar that her skill is confirmed. It’s not all about screaming, showboating, or trying to impress an audience that may have seen it all before. It’s her voice, her tonality, & timbre that are captivating.
Janiva shines on the Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan tune “Make It Rain,” but his poetically dark noir lyrics help. Strange as they are, that’s what keeps it original & chilling. Instead of creating a moody slow burn, Janiva turns up the pilot light on the musical stove & follows the bluesy Zach Zunis lead guitar (somewhat in a Marc Ribot style) that works within this structure. And Zach makes it steamy here.
Janiva is an enduring style. Even the balladry of “You Were Never Mine” sparkles with angst & sadness. She doesn’t just sing the words; it sounds as if she understands them, word for word. Sincerity simmers as Janiva squeezes notes out with reminiscent desperation. Impressive. The live recording is pristine. Janiva’s captured with the strength of her blues-escapades accurately. Evident on Julie Miller’s “The Devil Is An Angel Too” & the spirit in both the superb “Closer” & the finale “Things Left Undone.” The blues artist who takes it seriously is the one to watch. Life lessons instead of simply entertainment. That’s the blues.
Highlights – “My Bad Luck Soul,” “Slipped Tripped & Fell In Love,” “Make It Rain,” “You Were Never Mine,” “The Devil Is An Angel Too,” “Closer,” & “Things Left Undone.”
Musicians – Jim Alfredson (Hammond B3/keys/bgv), Gary Davenport (bass/bgv), W.F. Quinn Smith (drums) & Bernie Barlow (bgv).
A 4-page insert by Janiva is included. CD photo by Kimberly Adamis Fongheiser CD @ Bandcamp & Apple + https://blueelan.com/products/truth-in-the-room-the-clearmountain-sessions-cd-lp?srsltid=AfmBOor4i8TTzD303681Jpz1NsJ5bw45V3xcb7O51i8-oeXh0xfImZ0M & https://www.janivamagness.com/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Interview: Janiva Magness on Defining Americana, Trust, and Music as Wind in People’s Sails