January 23, 2009

Old School Friday: The Jones Girls

Ms Grapevine and MarvalusOne created a weekly meme that we call, Old School Friday. The idea is to share music from the 20th century with our blog readers. The theme this week is 'Too Hot for Radio'.

Not many people know that I was a DJ on my college radio station back in the day. I played soul music at KUCR 88.1 FM. My radio personality was known as 'The Wizard of Soul & Mind'. We had freedom to play anything we wanted ... no programmed musical selections at our radio station.

One of my favorite groups during that time was three young ladies known as The Jones Girls. They never got much radio-play on the major stations ... but I loved listening to them. One of my favorite songs from them was a simple tune called, 'Nights Over Egypt'. Check it out...





Another song that I would play on my show from this crew was 'I Just Love The Man'. I tend to think that some of the women in my life would think of me when this song was playing. Sad, but true. Listen closely...





15 comments:

Martin Lindsey said...

I always liked these sisters' music. You're right. They never seemed to get much pub beyond a handful of hits. Maybe they were too classy or something.

They made quality material though. We used to listen to them on Majic 108FM and KATZ-AM in St. Louis and WESL-AM East St. Louis coming from the Illinois side of the Mighty Mississippi.

Still working on my Old School Friday Post so stay tuned.

Hey Shae! said...

I'm not familiar with the group, but I like song #2. Happy OSF.

Unknown said...

Martin - The Jones Girls made some poor career choices in terms of management. That is the major reason that they never hit big (IMHO). I look forward to visiting your OSF post later today.

Shae - Thank you for taking time to listen to both songs. I guess that is one of the magic elements of OSF is to bring back some sounds from the last century...

The Urban Scientist said...

Thanks for sharing both posts. Nice songs.seem a little familiar to me.

Thembi Ford said...

I love "Nights Over Egypt". Great choice!

Martin Lindsey said...

Man, what a shame.

Hey Mr. D.J. answer a question for me. Who was the group that sang "Olivia" about the prostitute by the same name back in the 70's?

"...and now she's turned out, lost and turned out..."

I was going to do a double shot post like you but I couldn't dig this one up on song title alone. If you can recall the group I might still update my post and add them to it.

Unknown said...

Urban Scientist - Still missin' u in the Kinfolk spot (smile)...

Thembi - I figure that I need to start schoolin' y'all young folk on how we did it back in the day...

Martin - Olivia, by The Whispers:

Olivia the slave, got distracted on her way to grandmother's house
A wolf in lamb's clothing came
Blew her mind and changed her ways
And now she's turned out
Lost and turned out, lost and turned out

She's spending most of her time
Walking the streets
She has a certain quota to fill
He wants to buy a new Seville

Olivia the slave, got distracted on her way to grandmother's house
A wolf in lamb's clothing came
Blew her mind and changed her ways
And now she's turned out
Lost and turned out, lost and turned out

What is the world coming to
So many are used and abused
There's over 10 million girls
Who are lost, in this world

What will your kin folks say
Olivia, the slave
It must be breaking their hearts in two
Listen close, they're calling you (Olivia, Olivia, Olivia, Olivia)

Olivia the slave, got distracted on her way to grandmother's house
A wolf in lamb's clothing came
Blew her mind and changed her ways
And now she's turned out
Lost and turned out, lost and turned out

Olivia, where's your will (She's ost and turned out)
Don't buy that guy no Seville (Lost and turned out)
Olivia, the slave (Lost and turned out)
Don't let him drag you to your grave (Lost and turned out)
Olivia where's your mind (Lost and turned out)
He pulls you down all the time (Lost and turned out)
Olivia stop and think (Lost and turned out)
He's taking your cash to his bank (Lost and turned out)
Olivia break the chains (Lost and turned out)
Stop using your body and use your brain (Lost and turned out)

Anonymous said...

Hey Villager!

These are some good choices, man. I confess I didn't recognize the name, but the song tipped me right off. Those songs had a nice smooth feel that you don't hear much anymore.

SjP said...

Good picks. Really dug NoE and the Jones Girls back in the day...

Marvalus said...

I am not very familiar with this group either (that's rare for me!) but I like the second song...

Happy OSF!

Old School Fridays said...

I have to admit they are jammin', but I think this is the first time I've heard their music.

Thanks for posting the lyrics. I will have to check them out and learn more...

I always knew Little Red Riding Hood was not a children's tale.

Unknown said...

I remember the group well. and they really did not get the air time they deserved.
Great pick.
By the way "Olivia" was a favorite of mine also!(I was often drawn to the songs on an album that were not the popular songs)

Tha Connoisseur said...

There's nothing like a song with an old fashioned verse of lyrical prowess, it gives a song character. Just ask Millie Jackson...lol :)

Martin Lindsey said...

Ah-ha. Thanks for the lyric check. My brother sent me a link as well. He's an old college D.J. too.

I never connected the Whispers with that one. Now to see if I can find the YouTube version for the library.

Unknown said...

All - My thanx to all of you that participated in my OSF meme entry last week. I enjoyed the ones that I visited. I think that seeing Prince in rehearsal was my favority ... although Gil Scot-Heron and the Last Poets was close behind.

I'm also glad to have introduced to some and reminded others about The Jones Girls!

Martin - I hope you don't just put that Whispers song in your library ... I hope you post it on your blog for your blog readers to enjoy as well...