Linda Jones - Marmite Soul?

[Premium Stuff]

For some Linda Jones is the most incredible soul singer ever.

 

For others, she is just too much and goes over the top - too much 'wailing' and too many vocal acrobatics - basically too much cheese

 

She has recorded some truly class tracks and I would be interested in hearing some I don't already know.

 

To get things going, here is one I have always loved - not a solo effort but a combination with the Whatnauts. A song from my youth courtesy of the great Dave Evison.

 

So, if Linda Jones is a Marmite singer, do you like Marmite?

 

Hey, just spotted a classic cheese and Marmite thing going on here 

 

Cheers

 

Richard

 

 

[Kev Cane]

Sorry, but if someone says they love soul, then says they don,t like Linda Jones, then I am out of any further conversation

 

Kev

[Guest Dave Turner]

So many marvellous sides, she was truly wonderful.

 

I would have anointed her feet with perfumed oils

 

Her first outing on Turbo (1971)

 

[Kev Cane]

Aretha, Shirley Brown, Laura Lee, Gladys Knight, Linda Jones, she's up there for me with the other legends I have mentioned

 

Kev

[Premium Stuff]

I definitely like this one

 

Richard

 

[Guest Dave Turner]

Flip to "Your Precious Love"

 

[Wrongcrowd]

Linda Jones - Marmite!!!!!

 

Her vocal style is cheesey!!!

 

You're either desperate for a thread theme, or you really know some people that don't know the first thing about real soul music.

 

I've yet to meet anyone who thinks Linda Jones is anything less than a legend,

[TOAD]

another yawn topic ! I like marmite and eat cheese. Id say she was more like champagne rather classy

[John Reed]

I like marmite and eat cheese.

Have you tried them both together? I thinks its a great combination.

 

Anyhow, back onto Linda Jones - PURE CLASS

"When The Hurt Comes Back" doesn't seem to get mentioned that much and is a beautiful piece of soul

Edited April 12, 2013 by John Reed

[Jaco]

Sorry, but if someone says they love soul, then says they don,t like Linda Jones, then I am out of any further conversation

 

Kev

What the man says.

 

Spine tingling is surely an expression purposely made to characterise her vocal abilities.

[Blake H]

In my all time top ten.

[Daved]

I can see you what mean that some people might regard her as being a bit over the top but, in my book, she's fantastic. One of the all time greats!

[Tony Smith]

 

 

[Davetay]

THE BEST FEMALE SINGER THAT AS EVER LIVED!!! End Of.

[SHEFFSOUL]

its all about personal choice..i prefer Doris Duke amongst others..

[Pete S]

Black Music and Blues & Soul was where I first heard about her and the words written about her were so powerful I had to hear her, but at that time, aged 13/14, 25p a week pocket money, none of her records available in the UK (as far as I knew) and nothing played on the radio.  How did people to get to hear stuff in those days?  So I don't think I did ever hear anything by her until Just Can't Live My Life was issued in 1975 due to Northern demand.  Plus I kept mixing her up with Lorraine Ellison which didn't help.

[KevH]

Love "I'm so glad" etc...but how about "My heart needs a break".? That's not been bettered has it.?

[Premium Stuff]

I can see you what mean that some people might regard her as being a bit over the top but, in my book, she's fantastic. One of the all time greats!

 

She does have tendency to do a lot of technically very difficult vocal acrobatics, vibrato, fast scales etc.

 

Not in the same cringe-worthy category thankfully as Gloria Taylor or even Mariah Carey 

 

What are her best lesser-known Northern-type tracks then?

 

Cheers

 

Richard

[Guest]

THE BEST FEMALE SINGER THAT AS EVER LIVED!!! End Of.

Up there with Aretha and Kim Weston! 

 

They just do not come any better than........................

 

https://youtu.be/pDYx1gK117w

 

I bought my copy from Scooby about 15 years ago Dave.......£20.00 

Edited April 12, 2013 by Guest

[Scotters]

Having only recently acquired Linda's " Hypnotized" LP on Loma, I have to say it's barely been back in the sleeve since. Just amazing. (Thanks again BG if you read this). With that on one deck and the recently released Ty Karim LP delight from Ace/Kent on the other, I've lost a good few hours just listening and soaking in the soul from what must be two of the best female soul vocalists ever.

[jocko]

If only we had met sooner.

 

My epitaph and my funeral song, another one

[Guest Dave Turner]

Prefer her deeper slower stuff myself but for dancefloor friendly, even if it's not out and out Northern then this one from her Hypnotized album gets my vote.

 

[Premium Stuff]

Good call Dave 

 

Think I have this somewhere.

 

Cheers

 

Richard

[Ian Parker]

astonishing vocals. Im so glad i found you (whatnauts) is a fabulous tune.       

 

   Just cant live my life is as good as it gets,  in my opinion.      My heart needs a break, also fabulous.....  so Linda jones gets my vote

[Rich B]

Love "I'm so glad" etc...but how about "My heart needs a break".? That's not been bettered has it.?

 

I don't reckon it has Kev.

[Amsterdam Russ]

I've posted this before, but it's definitely worth another share - the mono mix of "If only we had met sooner". Vastly superior to the thin and tinny stereo version. So much so that it's almost like listening to a different song (if you know what I mean).

 

https://youtu.be/mRLdicXQZuw

[Guest CapitolSC]

Oh yes

Al H

 

[Ljblanken]

For some Linda Jones is the most incredible soul singer ever.

 

For others, she is just too much and goes over the top - too much 'wailing' and too many vocal acrobatics - basically too much cheese

 

She has recorded some truly class tracks and I would be interested in hearing some I don't already know.

 

To get things going, here is one I have always loved - not a solo effort but a combination with the Whatnauts. A song from my youth courtesy of the great Dave Evison.

 

So, if Linda Jones is a Marmite singer, do you like Marmite?

 

Hey, just spotted a classic cheese and Marmite thing going on here 

 

Cheers

 

Richard

 

 

 

what's marmite?

 

I heard it mentioned on an episode of "Vicar of Dibley" (i saw on netflix) and didn't know what it was!

[Guest drewid]

Can't believe this topic Linda jones ,marmite, mind you I was once told by someone "in the know" that Gladys knight was no soul singer so shouldn't be too surprised about this . Linda jones , marmite , keep saying it to myself like Peter Kay with his "garlic bread "

[Premium Stuff]

what's marmite?

 

I heard it mentioned on an episode of "Vicar of Dibley" (i saw on netflix) and didn't know what it was!

 

It's a yeast extract.

 

The marketing pitch is you love it or hate it.

 

Google it 

 

Richard

Edited April 12, 2013 by Premium Stuff

[Guest]

Prefer Vegemite personally, no where near as strong tasting. 

Edited April 12, 2013 by Guest

[Premium Stuff]

Prefer Vegemite personally, no where near as strong tasting. 

veg.jpg

 

The old Marmite jars used to have the instruction 'spread thinly' because it is quite strong.

 

Vegemite tastes quite different - nice for a change 

 

Never tried a Vegemite and cheese combination - guess it would work   

 

Cheers

 

Richard

Edited April 12, 2013 by Premium Stuff

[Shinehead]

I definitely like this one

 

Richard

 

Love this record and Linda Jones but it so reminds me of The Supremes ' Love Is Like A Itching In My Heart ' .

[Guest]

Never tried a Vegemite and cheese combination - guess it would work   

 

 

 

Richard

On toast! 

[Premium Stuff]

On toast! 

 

Mmmmmm 

 

I recommend Marmite, cheddar and cucumber sandwiches on fresh brown bread with white pepper 

 

Also Marmite on toast with scrambled eggs 

 

Richard

[Guest]

Its a taste sensation!

[Premium Stuff]

Oh yes

Al H

 

 

Yep - that is fabulous - one of her best for sure IMO 

 

Richard

[Louise]

How's about some of her Neptune sides, That's When I'll Stop Loving You/I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow" and " Ooh Baby You Move Me/Can You Blame Me?"

Also "Fugitive From Love" Turbo and Blue Cat mind you I always thought "You Hit Me Like T.N.T was pop crap but that's just my opinion of course.

Dave.

[Britmusicsoulfan]

I have I Can't Stop Lovin' My Baby on Loma and think it's the business!

 

I had a chance to pick up the Loma LP a few months ago from a chap but was short of cash and didn't.  Is the LP good as well?

[Davetay]

I have I Can't Stop Lovin' My Baby on Loma and think it's the business!

 

I had a chance to pick up the Loma LP a few months ago from a chap but was short of cash and didn't.  Is the LP good as well?

Yeah, the Loma LP is very good.

It also came out in the UK, with JJ Jackson's Loma LP on the flip, as part of The Loma Story that came out due to demand in the 70s. (7 vol set).

[Ljblanken]

It's a yeast extract.

 

The marketing pitch is you love it or hate it.

 

Google it 

 

Richard

 

 

It's a yeast extract.

 

The marketing pitch is you love it or hate it.

 

Google it 

 

Richard

 

I just know the Vicar of Dibley hates it! 

 

There is a British ex-pat grocery down the coast. I will have to drive down and see if they have some. I am intrigued.....

[Des Crombie]

Love Lindas voice, another that I personally think is great is

You hit me like TNT. Perhaps too fast for some these days?

[Peter99]

Have you tried them both together? I thinks its a great combination.

 

Anyhow, back onto Linda Jones - PURE CLASS

"When The Hurt Comes Back" doesn't seem to get mentioned that much and is a beautiful piece of soul

Hi John

 

Absolutely lovely record - new to me my friend.

 

Thanks

 

Peter

 

[Premium Stuff]

Hi John

 

Absolutely lovely record - new to me my friend.

 

Thanks

 

Peter

 

 

Me too - very nice indeed

 

I'm still having this thing with Linda Jones though when she does more than is needed - 'more is less' - rather than 'less is more' (which probably defines my musical taste overall I guess).

 

There's a bit early on where she does a kind of James (Jimmy) Stewart (impersonator) type wobble/wibble thing - which for me detracts 

 

Cheers

 

Richard

[Peter99]

Me too - very nice indeed

 

I'm still having this thing with Linda Jones though when she does more than is needed - 'more is less' - rather than 'less is more' (which probably defines my musical taste overall I guess).

 

There's a bit early on where she does a kind of James (Jimmy) Stewart (impersonator) type wobble/wibble thing - which for me detracts 

 

Cheers

 

Richard

I know and hear where you're coming from Richard. I don't know too much about Linda to be honest. Always been a big fan of JCLML and ISGIFY and know a few others but the thread - like so many others, has been a learning curve.

 

Nice one.

 

Peter

 

[Ernie Andrews]

Very sad loss so early in her life - " She must have have seen something coming when she sang I cant stop loving my baby as 2 lines in the lyrics say " Take a trip up to heaven - Ive been many times before"

She was just abrilliant singer with a fabulous range

[Peter99]

Very sad loss so early in her life - " She must have have seen something coming when she sang I cant stop loving my baby as 2 lines in the lyrics say " Take a trip up to heaven - Ive been many times before"

She was just abrilliant singer with a fabulous range

Yes, 28 is no age is it.

 

From things I've read she had diabetes and died at home in between shows. For someone so young the girl left some musical legacy which is clearly appreciated by many. Her voice lives on.

 

Peter

 

[Premium Stuff]

 

 

Darn it Tony - isn't that just brilliant?

 

My conclusion is that Linda's voice was best suited to up-tempo numbers - this kept her in control so she could do the right amount of wailing and vocal acrobatics suitable for the song. 

 

On her slower, deeper numbers she tends to go too far and wibble all over the place - 'more is less' kind of effect - rather than the right amount.

 

Cheers

 

Richard

Edited April 13, 2013 by Premium Stuff

[Northern Soul Uk]

Up there with Aretha and Kim Weston! 

 

They just do not come any better than........................

 

https://youtu.be/pDYx1gK117w

 

I bought my copy from Scooby about 15 years ago Dave.......£20.00 

150% agreed!! Stunning vocals, amazing song, Brilliant strings, an absolute classic! What more could you possibly want?

[Tricky]

Thought Vegemite was for them girlie Aussies who could,nt handle the real thing!!!!!