Columbia / Barry Recording Artist Thelma Jones

Thelma Jones has had a long and illustrious recording career. She began singing while still a child with the family gospel recording group, The McDaniel Singers. 'Little David Play On Your Harp' and 'God Put A Rainbow In The Sky' were two recordings released at that time featuring Thelma as lead singer. Shen later moved to R&B when she recorded the original version of 'The House That Jack Built', along with 'Mr. Fix It', 'Souvenirs Of A Heartbreak' and 'Oh, Here Come The Heartbreak' for Barry Records. Her following realease was 'Salty Tears,' a great tearful ballad that really put Thelma on map. The self titled album 'Thelma Jones' was originally recorded for Columbia in 1978 (re-masterd and re-released in 2005), and contains Smokey Robinson's 'I Second That Emotion'. In 1987 Barry Records released the single 'Never Leave Me.' She has followed up with several more recordings, the last being the critically acclaimed CD 'Law Of Old' in 2002.

As a live performer, Thelma has captivated audiences the world over with her electrifying vocal stylings. She is equally comfortable singing Gospel, Blues, Soul/R&B or Jazz. "It's the song that counts," says Thelma, "a good song is a good song in any genre."

THELMA JONES: (Reissued 2005)

Thelma Jones' first brilliant album, released on Columbia in 1978, produced by Bert DeCoteaux with the addition of the Brad Shapiro-produced classic "Salty Tears." Thelma's soulful vocals are incredible -- very much in a traditional R&B mode; includes the first-ever U.S. liner notes by David Nathan. Two bonus cuts on this CD debut of this amazing album. Tracks: How Long; Stay Awhile With Me; Now That We Found Love; You're The Song (That I Can't Stop Singing); Love, Look What You Got Into Me; Salty Tears; I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love; I Want What You Want; I'm Lonely Enough To Try Anything; I Second That Emotion; I Can Dream; Angel Of The Morning.

THELMA JONES: LAW OF OLD (2002)

CD by classic R&B and soulful diva best known for her Barry recordings ("The House That Jack Built", "Never Leave Me" etc.) and her much-treasured 1977 Columbia work. A blues-flavored album that features top class L.A. musicians and showcases Thelma's distinctive vocal style and includes one of her own compositions, the superb title cut. Tracks: Saved By The Blues, Law of Old, Get By Blues, Movin' On, Once And For All, All Tears Fall, Land Of The Jam, Don't Drop Me, Say Forever, My First Blues.

THELMA JONES: CLOSE TO THE GROUND (1999)

CD by classic R&B and soulful diva best known for her Barry recordings ("The House That Jack Built", "Never Leave Me" etc.) and her much-treasured 1977 Columbia work. Close To The Ground is a Soul flavored album produced by Miss Thelma herself that features a powerful version of Midnight Train To Georgia and a hauntingly beautiful rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Tracks: How Sweet It Is, Baby I Love You, Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground, I Think You Made Your Move Too Soon, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Up On The Roof, One Monkey Don't Stop No Show, Midnight Train To Georgia, Like A Phoenix.

Thelma Jones on the radio:

Thelma Jones has numerous earlier albums credits as she has been on dozens of compilation CDs. There is a brisk underground music trade in her older recordings as evidenced by simply typing her name in on Ebay. Following are a list of some of the Barry and Columbia Records singles that were released for radio play.

Barry Records - Never Leave Me / Stronger
Barry Records - Oh Oh, Here Come The Heartbreak / Gotta Find A Way
Barry Records - Souvenirs Of A Heartbreak / I Won't Give Up My Man
Barry Records - The House That Jack Built / Give It To Me Straight
Barry Records - Mr. Fix It / Second Chance
Barry Records - How Long / Stay Awhile With Me
Columbia Records - Salty Tears / You're The Song (That I Can't Stop Singing)
Columbia Records - I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love / Love Look What You've Got Me Into
Columbia Records - I Want What You Want / I'm Lonely
Columbia Records - I Second That Emotion / I Can Dream

SoulMusic.com's David Nathan on Thelma Jones:

David talks about his long friendship with Thelma and gives a brief history of her of recording career along with some insights from Themla herself.

Thelma Jones from SoulMusic.com

MP3 Sound clips by Thelma Jones:

Thelma Jones Columbia Reissue (Pop R&B)

Salty Tears
I Can Dream
Now That We Found Love
I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love
Lonely Enough
I Second That Emotion
Stay Awhile With Me
I Want What You Want

Law Of Old (Blues & Rock)

Saved By The Blues
Get By Blues
Land Of The Jam
Once And For All
Movin On To A Higher

Close To The Ground (Soul & Ballads)

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Midnight Train To Georgia
I Think You Made Your Move Too Soon
Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground

Contact Thelma Jones at thelmajones15@sbcglobal.net

Top color Thelma Jones photo by Alan Mercer, www.alanmercer.com
Black & White shot by Tracy Scroggins.