Search - Janiva Magness :: Use What You Got

A great jump plues, blues & R+B album...

Juan Fernandez | Azusa, CA | 12/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Janiva's latest is also her greatest. The opening song I'm Lost Without you, is a jump number that really swings, the band is tight and sounds terrific. Janiva's vocals are exellent, she really has a great voice. Energetic music that crosses many generes..."

A versitile set of jump blues and R&B by a fine singer

Juan Fernandez | 11/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Janiva Magness has been making a name for herself in Orange County as one of the top and only female blues singers on the scene, ever since she started playing the Rennasaince Cafe in Dana Point, now she's been regularly at the Martini Blues club in Huntington Beach. I have not had the pleasure of seeing her live, but I will after hearing this cd, I'll be at her next gig in Sherman Oaks, she shows a lot of versitality as a vocalist able to swing, and jump the blues and even make sappier R&B ballads sound better tahn they should. This may not be a set for jazz or blues purists because there are a number of funky R&Bish tunes here, however "Stormy Blues" is easily the highlight of the album, and it shows what a sensious and great vocalist Mgness really is, and shows that magness has the good taste to revive this little performed Billie Holiday gem! The poener a energetic jump blues is wonderful, as well as the catchy title tune, unfortionately there are a couple throwaway r&b(Aretha Franklyn type)ballads, but one can overlook that. The rest of the album falls in the category of blues rooted funky R&B, however the main reason t acquire this cd is for Magness' amazing powerhouse voals and for the very high musicianship of her hot jumpin' 6 piece tight band, they jump and take hot solos thoughout, which will appeal to the jazz fan. A nice overall blues cd wich shows how versitile Magness amd her band can be. In the future it would be nice to hear Mgness on more jump blues and blues pieces and less R&B ballands and funk."

A perfect modern day blues cd, with a touch of retro

Aaron | Hacienda Heights, CA | 12/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Janiva Magness is both modern and retro at the same time! I saw her last night live at Martini Blues in Huntington Beach, CA. She was teriffic, in fact the highlight of the night was when she sang "I'm lost Without you," a great jump blues number that Magness wraps her appealing voice around! It is also the 1st song on this continiously exellent cd. Stormy Blues however might be the best track here, it shows the sensitivity and vulnerability in Magness' singing voice(it was a favorite song of Billie Holiday's, and Holiday wrote it). All of the selctions have thier moments and the cd is very upbeat overall, aside from the occasioanl ballad. Use What You Got is also a charmingly witty song, Magness really digs into it. Her band is so tight and swingin', they know how to jump the blues. Magness dresses and looks like she came out of 1949(she looks like glamorous supper club singer, and sometimes sounds like one too). Janiva is the perfect amounts modern and retro at the same time! A great blues cd, that jazz fans may also enjoy!"