Janiva Magness opens the album with "Masterpiece," a strong, pulsing blues number written by Dave Darling, who has written or co-written a lot of her original material, and also produced this album. The moment when I completely fall in love with this track is when, after delivering the line "I've made a lot of mistakes/But you might be my masterpiece" for the first time, Janiva adds a thoughtful, "Hmm." It is such a delicious moment. Something else this track has going for it is the presence of special guest Joe Bonamassa on guitar. As you would expect, he delivers some great stuff, and the band begins to jam during that wonderful guitar lead. In addition, there are fantastic touches on keys. Janiva slows things down then with the album's title track, which was written by Casey Lee Hurt, Eric Schultz and Kelly Keith Brenden, and included on Casey Lee Hurt's Pawnshop Gospel album. Nick Maybury joins the group on guitar for this one, delivering some really nice work. The song's first line grabs us, "You don't have to break my heart." We hear experience in Janiva's voice, even before she sings, "And I may have a scar or two." There is a great longing and power to her delivery of the song's title line, "Come back for me/Come back for me, baby," and we feel she could summon anyone or anything she wished with her voice, even bring down the heavens upon her. What an incredible performance.
She covers the wonderful Bill Withers song "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh," which Withers released as a single in 1974. On this track she is joined on organ by the great Phil Parlapiano, who delivers some strong work. And holy moly, there is a fantastic energy to this rendition, and plenty of soul. It's an outstanding track. "Why you want to make me cry," she sings, demanding an answer. Well, what do you have to say for yourself? "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" is followed by a cover of Doyle Brahmall II's "November," a song he had included on his 2016 album Rich Man. Janiva Magness delivers a moving, engaging and uplifting rendition. John Schroeder joins her on guitar for this track, and Dave Darling provides some backing vocal work. Check out the guitar work in that powerful section in the second half. Then both John Schroeder and Sue Foley join Janiva Magness on guitar for "Holes," a delicious blues rock song written by Julianne Marie Guidi. This one begins with its beat, and in those opening seconds we become excited. "Sister, quit your diggin' them holes." This one is a lot of fun, with Janiva delivering a kick-ass vocal performance. "I met a girl, she had a little demon/She buried that demon in the desert dirt/She couldn't kick the feeling." Oh man, this is so good. And, yes, there is plenty of excellent guitar work, including some playful moments.
"I Was Good To You Baby" is a song written by Buddy Flett and David Egan, and recorded by Tracy Nelson. David Egan also recorded his own version, including it on Twenty Years Of Trouble, which was released in 2003. Janiva Magness delivers her version with plenty of attitude. "I was good to you, baby/You'll find out someday, maybe/Just might drive you crazy." This rendition has bite. John Schroeder again gives us some good work on guitar, and this track also includes some delicious work on keys. That's followed by "You Can Bring Me Flowers," a song Ray LaMontagne included on his 2006 album Till The Sun Turns Black. There is some interesting percussion on this rendition, which I love. It gives the track a cool vibe. Phil Parlapiano is on organ for this one, and Robert "Chalo" Ortiz is on guitar, their work adding to the cool feel of the track. And Janiva Magness delivers a great, raw vocal performance. "You can bring me flowers, babe/When I'm dead and gone."
One of my personal favorites on this album is Janiva's rendition of Tracy Nelson's fantastic song "Down So Low." She does a phenomenal job with it. Just listen to how she delivers lines like "The pain you left behind/Has become, has become a part of me." We hear that pain, but also a power within her voice. Robert "Chalo" Ortiz plays guitar on this track too. And there is some really nice stuff on keys. "Now you know I love you/But that wasn't enough/We both fell apart/When things got too rough." A stunning performance full of soul, of emotion. That's followed by another great choice of songs, Ann Peebles' "Do I Need You," a song from her 1974 record I Can't Stand The Rain. Interestingly, this song also contains the line "I can't stand the rain," which comes basically as a call-back to that album's title track, delivered in the same way. "I need something that's in my life that makes me want to live/I'm not in a hurry, but I think I need a change/I need some sunshine in my life, I can't stand the rain." Phil Parlapiano is on organ, and Robert Ortiz is on guitar. The album concludes with "Hittin' On Nothin'," a song written by Allen Toussaint under the name Naomi Neville, and originally recorded by Irma Thomas in 1963. Janiva gives us a fun rendition that features some cool stuff on bass and some delicious work on keys, plus hand claps. Jesse Dayton plays guitar on this track. Bernie Barlow and Allen Sovory provide backing vocals. "You know you promised me a mink coat/For my birthday/I ain't seen mink, rat or rabbit/Ever since that day." What a delightful way to wrap up the album.
CD Track List
- Masterpiece
- Back For Me
- The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
- November
- Holes
- I Was Good To You Baby
- You Can Bring Me Flowers
- Down So Low
- Do I Need You
- Hittin' On Nothin'
Back For Me was released on March 28, 2025 on Blue Élan Records.
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