Ramona Jones

Ramona Jones recorded for the dreadful Huey Meaux, but the credits to “Thomas –McRee-Thomas” on the discs reflect the fact that they were almost certainly recorded at the Grits-N-Gravy studios near Jackson, MS. Her first release was the one that Meaux leased out to Buddah which featured an interesting but sadly rather lack lustre version of “Young Boy Blues” together with a really fine funky little opus ListenSweet Devil. On this Ramona’s rather attractive “little girl” vocals work well, as she comes across as both innocent and sexy at the same time. It’s far too short though.

Of her Jetstream tracks, I like her version of that fine song “Your Love’s Not Reliable” but without any “sweetening” the track sounds only half finished, and therefore not up to the standard that Fern Kinney established with the tune. The relationship with Kinney does strengthen the Jackson, MS link with Ramona’s cuts though. The other Jones tracks are all strong southern soul, with the pick of the uptempo numbers being the funky “Shows All Over Your Face”, and they include one killer ballad. Listen(We Break) The Rules Made For Man is a delicious country soul song with some excellent chord changes, arranged into a gospel workout, with lovely female harmonies and a tasteful horn chart. Note the Vietnam reference too. This track ought to be far better appreciated.

Sweet devil - BUDDAH 164 (We break) the rules for man - JETSTREAM 801



Discography

Young girl blues / ListenSweet devil ~ BUDDAH 164 (1970)
Shows all over your face / Listen(We break) the rules made for man ~ JETSTREAM 801 (1973/4_
Ease off lover / Your love’s not reliable ~ JETSTREAM 807 (1974)

 

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