As 2013 comes to an end, we are taking a look back at some of our favorite posts of the year by our guest editors.
Beth Hart’s bio to this point in her 20-plus-year career is very nearly a blues cliché. A youthful beginning, doing great work while toiling in obscurity, struggling with alcohol and substances intended to keep her centered and grounded. It’s a boilerplate blues story, told many times with slight variations. Thankfully, Hart’s recent triumphs have counterbalanced her ancient travails. Last December, Hart took the stage at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., along with guitar icon Jeff Beck, and performed Etta James’ classic “I’d Rather Go Blind” to celebrate Kennedy Center honoree and blues legend Buddy Guy. Hart’s scorchingly soulful vocals and Beck’s sinewy guitar lines brought Guy and the audience to their feet; that performance has been added to the commercial pressing of Bang Bang Boom Boom (Provogue/Mascot), Hart’s powerfully diverse new album. Hart will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our new feature on her.
Hart: There’s nothing like a good fight. I know it can seem frustrating at times, but it’s a great way to match wits. Sometimes, even when I agree on the topic with the other person, I’ll switch to the opposing argument just to try to be a smart-ass. It’s challenging, it’s fun, and I usually learn something. My husband Scott is my favorite person to argue with. He’s super tough and very stubborn.
