Do I Move You? by Janiva Magness

13 Jan

Written by Richard Bourcier
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California-based blues heavyweight Janiva Magness follows up her successful Bury Him At The Crossroads with Do I Move You? and it’s certainly going to move you. Magness surrounds herself with many of the fine players who appeared on her last album including multi-instrumentalist and composer Jeff Turmes.

Produced by guitarist Colin Linden, the new album captivates from the first note. Janiva Magness is a powerhouse entertainer and she’s armed with a package of good songs that fit her style perfectly. The title tune "Do I Move You?" was penned by singer Nina Simone who introduced it on a 1964 vinyl disc. Magness captures the mood nicely backed by Linden’s guitar and Bell’s delicate Hammond B3. The singer’s impeccable sense of time is obvious.

As always, we have a few favorites to mention. "I Give Up" is a rocking blues penned by Colin Linden and Rick Holstrom. Jeff Turmes throws in a few hot licks on baritone sax.

We found ourselves playing "Stealin’ Sugar" endlessly. Magness wails and wails with Richard Bell on piano. Bell, by the way, was the keyboard man who put the "boogie" into Janis Joplin’s "Full Tilt Boogie Band." The album’s closer, "Man Size Job," is another "belter" for the singer and rates very highly.

Ms. Magness is nominated for the 2006 Blues Foundation Awards in the Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist category and her new CD raises the bar another notch. It’s good blues!

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Janiva Magness
CD Title: Do I Move You?
Genre: Blues
Year Released: 2006
Record Label: NorthernBlues Music
Tracks: I’m Just A Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin’), Workin’ On Me Baby, You Were Never Mine, I Can’t Stop Cryin’, Don’t Let Your Memories, I Want You To Have Everything, Do I Move You, Bad Blood, I Give Up, Stealin’ Sugar, A Man Size Job
Musicians: Janiva Magness (vocals, rub board), Colin Linden (guitar), Rick Holmstrom (guitar on #1,2,9,10,11), Jeff Turmes (guitar on #2,4,5,8 and bass on #3,4,6,7,8,9,10), Gary Davenport (bass on #1,2,11), Richard Bell (piano and Hammond B3), John Whynot (Wurlitzer, tambourine), Jeff Turmes (baritone & tenor sax), Stephen Taylor Hodges (drums)
Label Website: http://www.northernblues.com
Rating: Five Stars