About Me
The Jones Girls:Brenda Elaine Jones Williams (b. 7th December 1954)Shirley Yvonne Jones (b. 22nd September 1953)Valorie Denise Jones (b. 17th April 1956, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. d. 2nd December 2001, Sinai Grace Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.).mary frazier jonesThe Jones Girls were, originally, from Detroit and were the daughters of the singer Mary Frazier Jones (the spelling on the sleeve above is incorrect according to Brenda).The came to fame after working with Diana Ross on a U.S. tour.The Girls had toured with the Four Tops additionally, as well as Little Richard, The Impressions and B.B. King.In 1970, they recorded the songs 'Learn How To Love' (on Ember Records) and 'My Own Special Way' (on Ember Records, additionally).A year later, saw the release of 'Oh I Feel Good' and 'Put A Little Love In Your Heart'.In 1972, they had further singles released including 'Come Back' (on the Music Merchant imprint, a subsidiary of the Holland / Dozier / Holland Invictus label), 'You're The Only Bargain I've Got' and 'Your Love Controls Me' (on the Music Merchant imprint).1973, saw the single 'Taster Of The Honey' released on the Music Merchant imprint.Early in 1974, the Girls recorded two songs entitled ''If You Don't Love Me No More' (Paramount 0279) b/w 'If You Don't Start Nothing', which were initially released on that Paramount imprint.In 1974, their attributed debut single entitled 'Will You Be There' was released for the Paramount imprint (Paramount 0921), a song that was accompanied by the single 'I Need You' for the same label.It was through their association with the Impressions, that the Girls met Curtis Mayfield who took them to his, Chicago based, Curtom Imprint, where they recorded several sides.These included 'I Turn To You' (Curtom 0102), in 1975 and the songs 'Misteri' ('Mister-I') and 'Hey Lucinda' b/w 'Dr Big Smile' (CMS 0108).At this time the Girls recorded several sides that were never released.These included 'Treat Me Like A Lady', 'Waiting For The Last Goodbye', 'The Proof Is In The Pudding', 'Man On The Take' and 'Plain Jane'.By 1978 they had sang background vocals for Aretha Franklin on the Curtis Mayfield produced outing 'Almighty Fire'.They later recorded with Linda Clifford on 'Runaway Love' before the tour that took them to a higher level with Diana Ross.The Jones Girls accompanied Diana on a marathon tour which took them to Philadelphia and to the attention of Kenny Gamble.They had also worked with Diana Ross in the studio, however, none of these sides have seen the light of day.At Philadelphia International, they provided background vocals for other artists at the label.These include Dexter Wansel, Lou Rawls and Jean Carn.Kenny Gamble recruited the Girls to his Philadelphia International imprint in 1979 and a series of excellent releases followed.There they released four albums, 'The Jones Girls' in 1979, (including 'This Feeling's Killing Me', 'You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else' and 'Life Goes On'), 'At Peace With Woman' in 1980, (including 'Dance Turned Into A Romance' and 'Let's Celebrate'), 'Get As Much Love As You Can' in 1981, (including 'Nights Over Egypt' and 'Love Don't Ever Say Goodbye'), and 'Keep It Comin' in 1984, (including 'You Can't Have My Love' and 'Ah Ah Ah Ah', a collaboration with Keni Burke).Away from Philadelphia they provided background vocals for the likes of , Freda Payne, Lamont Dozier, Thelma Houston, Norman Connors ('Take It To The Limit'), Prince Phillip Mitchell ('Make It Good'), L.J. Reynolds, Michael Pedicin Jr, Glenn Jones ('I Am Somebody'), Margie Joseph, Brass Fever ('Time Is Running Out'), Walter Jackson, George Duke, Noel Pointer and Bobby Wilson.In 1983 they relocated from Philadelphia International to the RCA imprint for one album entitled 'On Target', (including '2 Win U Back', 'On Target' and 'Knockin').Shirley Jones debut solo album 'Always In The Mood' was released in 1986 and charted with the single 'Do You Get Enough Love?'.Valorie Denise Jones, sadly, died in 2001. She was 45 years old.copyright: soulwalking.co.uk
