Janiva Magness Sings John Fogerty

Janiva Magness
Change in the Weather - Janiva Magness Sings John Fogerty
BlueElan Records

This latest release from roots-blues diva Janiva Magness is a change of pace from her recent releases that leaned on her own songwriting. Here she interprets some of John Fogerty's most remembered songs, and for some of them lending a different view as sung by a woman. Supporting musicians include drummer Steve Wilson; guitarists David Darling (who produced this CD) and Zachery Ross; bassist Gary Davenport; and keyboardist Arlan Oscar. On one track Rusty Young adds dobro and guitar, and Aubrey Richard plays fiddle. There are guest vocals from Sam Morrow and Taj Mahal.

If I have any reservations it is what sounds like generic rock accompaniments to a couple of the songs such as the opening "Change in the Weather," with a freak-out blues-rock guitar solo. There are no complaints with Janiva Magness' singing. She has become one of the foremost blues and roots vocalists around. Mavis Staples is quoted in the press material that when Janiva sings "Soul music is alive and kicking," Her delivery of the songs is impeccable, bringing out some of the nuances of the lyrics.

Sam Newton (whose voice is suggestive of Fogerty) joins her for a spirited "Lodi." Her renditions of "Someday Never Comes" and "Have You Seen the Rain" displays her expressive range and are amongst her most powerful, and subtly passionate singing here. The more understated backing on the latter number enhances the mood as well. On "Don't You Wish It Were True," Taj Mahal adds his banjo and vocal. There is also slide guitar and a ragged groove as the two sing, wishing for a world with no more sorrow and hate. Slide guitar and a swampy groove underlie the cover of "Bad Moon Rising," while the rendition of "Fortunate Son" hews close to the Credence original with Magness singing with controlled anger fitting for the protest lyrics.

I am not familiar with all of the originals here, but particularly powerful is the performance of the less familiar "A Hundred and Ten in the Shade." It stands out with the stark simplicity of the music as Magness sings about "Bottomland hard as a gravestone… ." "Looking Out My Back Door," closes this album with a down-home, country feel with Rusty Young's dobro and Aubrey Richmond's fiddle adding to this tone. A few musical blemishes notwithstanding, Janiva Magness has certainly provided a superlative tribute to the music of John Fogerty.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the November-December 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 387). Here she performs "Have You Seen the Rain."