It would have been natural for soul/roots vocalist
Magness to capitalize on the success of her 2008
Alligator debut by shifting toward a more commercial middle ground for the follow-up two years later. While she hasn't changed direction drastically, it's encouraging that
Magness finds under-the-radar material to wrap her husky voice around. Those somewhat unlikely sources for torchy songs include gems from
Nick Lowe and
Julie Miller. The latter provides the title track, setting the album's philosophical tone by examining both the angelic and demonic sides of human nature. That theme weaves through the disc on stirring, often rousing covers of tunes made famous, or at least introduced to
Magness, by
Graham Parker (
"I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down," perhaps better-known to R&B fans through
Ann Peebles' classic performance),
Percy Sledge (
"Walkin' in the Sun"),
Marvin Gaye (
"End of Our Road"), and
Joe Tex (the often covered but rarely impressive
"I Want to Do Everything for You"). She also revisits the
Nina Simone well.
Simone is a logical source since the singer's eclectic song choices seem to be an inspiration for
Magness' own approach. Here she dusts off and breathes new life into the
Bricusse/
Newley standard
"Feeling Good" (incorrectly listed as
"I'm Feelin' Good"). The disc's wide stylistic range flows together effortlessly with
Magness' broad, sultry, soulful vocals, unique arrangements, and a band that tugs at the heart of these songs, delivering taut yet spacious performances. Many of the players return from her last outing with standout work from guitarist/co-producer
Dave Darling. His swampy touch meshes with drummer
Stephen Hodges' patented, rubbery thumping. The combination works flawlessly with the Memphis groove of
"Playhouse," where
Magness' powerful pipes bite into the song like a hungry wolf. She's just as effective on
"Weeds Like Us," an ominous, deep Delta blues ballad written by husband/bassist/guitarist
Jeff Turmes, who also contributes the closing, standard-styled
"Turn Your Heart in My Direction." Magness connected with a definitive version of
Gary Nicholson's
"You Were Never Mine" a few albums ago, and finds another
Nicholson gem in the aching gospel of
"Save Me." These dozen songs barely break the 40-minute mark, allowing the singer to hit her targets and move on.
Magness nails every performance, seamlessly shifting from dark to light. It's that dichotomy that brings the tension and release, edging her a little further from the typical R&B territory that is only a starting point for her dynamic talent. ~ Hal Horowitz