"The Devil Is An Angel Too" - Janiva Magness (Alligator Records)
By Malcolm Kennedy
Equal parts smoky, sultry and powerhouse; Janiva has clearly established herself as one of the premier talents in blues today and the new Alligator Records release The Devil is An Angel Too is a clear reason how. Janiva's striking, curvaceous look doesn't hurt a bit; but with vocals like this she would still be getting the recognition she so richly deserves if she had too heads. 
Janiva has received a bevy of Blues Music Award’s and even more nominations over the last five years including the 2009 Award for BB King Entertainer of the Year and I expect The Devil Is An Angel Too will also achieve notice... Janiva lays down the law telling a cheating man "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down." Telling him he can't use hearts for play toys to an engaging melody. On "Weeds Like Us" Janiva shows yet another side as she sings "weeds like us are hard to kill" over a plaintive guitar. For "Walking In The Sun" Janiva's singing displays elements of Janis Joplin without the whiskey and cigarette seared tortured raspy edge. The infectious beat of "Your Love Made A U-Turn" will have you bouncing and is sure to be a crowd pleaser live as she sings "his love made a u-turn and left me standing in the street."
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