Renowned blues artist Janiva Magness has unveiled her highly anticipated 17th album, Back for Me, produced by her longtime collaborator and friend, Dave Darling. This emotionally rich album reaffirms her unparalleled ability to connect with the heart of the blues while continuing to redefine her iconic sound.
Back for Me features a collection of carefully chosen, lesser-known songs by notable artists such as Bill Withers, Ray LaMontagne, Allen Toussaint, Doyle Bramhall II, Tracy Nelson, and Irma Thomas. As Magness herself notes, “I have always been into the B-sides. There’s a freshness to doing a B-side rather than a well-known hit. I absolutely love the idea of shining a light on material that people are not familiar with.” This fresh approach highlights the deep emotions embodied in Magness' captivating voice and music, making it a must-listen for her devoted fans.
Janiva Magness’ Back for Me – A Journey Through Blues, Soul, and R&B
With her signature emotional delivery, Magness brings a dynamic range of music, from the Chicago-via-Texas grit of “Masterpiece” (featuring a searing guitar solo from Joe Bonamassa), to the gospel-soul-funk of Bill Withers’ “The Same Love That Made Me Laugh,” and the haunting resignation in Doyle Bramhall’s “November.” The album also features powerful contributions from guest artists such as ace guitarists Sue Foley, Jesse Dayton, and the unmistakable guitar work of Bonamassa.
Back for Me marks a milestone in Magness’ career, following the success of her Grammy-nominated album Love Wins Again and her seven Blues Music Awards, including the 2009 B.B. King Artist of the Year Award. Her poignant memoir, Weeds Like Us, which recounts the traumas of her youth and her hard-earned triumphs, also further solidified her place as a resilient and celebrated artist.
Back for Me’s Stellar Band and Collaboration
Produced by Dave Darling, the album’s core band includes drummer W.F. Quinn Smith, bassist Ian Walker, keyboardists Sasha Smith and Phil Parlapiano, and guitarists John Schroeder and Robert “Chalo” Ortiz. Other standout guest musicians on the album include blues harp player TJ Norton and the aforementioned guest guitarists, making this a powerhouse of talent.
Magness credits the band’s chemistry for helping bring a unique and intimate feel to the album. “We tracked together live,” she says. “That’s one of the reasons that it sounds as solid as it does. These guys have worked together on other albums with Dave and other projects, so there’s an automatic intimacy to the backbone of the songs.”
Track Listing for Back for Me:
- Masterpiece (featuring Joe Bonamassa)
- Back for Me
- The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
- November
- Holes (featuring Sue Foley)
- I Was Good to You Baby
- You Can Bring Me Flowers
- Down So Low
- Do I Need You
- Hittin’ on Nothin’ (featuring Jesse Dayton)
Janiva Magness 2025 Tour Dates
- Feb 19-23 – Montreal, Quebec @ FAI
- Mar 19 – Pawling, NY @ Daryl’s House
- Mar 20 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
- Mar 21 – Rochester, NY @ Mountain Stage
- Mar 23 – Syracuse, NY @ 443 Social Club – SOLD OUT
- Mar 23 – Syracuse, NY @ 443 Social Club – Matinee
- Mar 26 – Petaluma, CA @ Music Theater – Krush on the Road
- Mar 27 – Bakersfield, CA @ World Records Live
- Mar 28 – San Francisco, CA @ Biscuits & Blues
- Mar 29 – Santa Monica, CA @ McCabe’s
- Apr 2 – Seattle, WA @ The Triple Door
- Apr 4 – Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall
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