royal jones - singer,songwriter,lyricist,consumer
Royal Jones-
New York City, NY (PRWEB) -- Born in Methuen Massachusetts, Royal Jones (RJ) began his collaborating in the late 70’s with Nancy Rosenberg on his 1st lyric set to music…’The Stars Weren’t Right’ in Harvard Square.Lead sheets were $20.00 for the novice songwriter .
RJ rehearsed standards, jazz, and show tunes with Berklee students in Boston. He appeared in choruses while attending Bradford Junior college in Ward Hill Bradford Ma.
Upon moving to Boston, he studied voice with Ed Mousally at the Community Music Center on Warren Ave.
Soprano Frances Demoulas Kettenbach initiated a brief period of classical music studies for his vocal development..
Spending two years studying with New England Conservatory’s Geraldine Berkovitz Martin in the Third Stream Department developed a treasured musical friendship .
A move to NYC, in 1979, found Royal Jones in the company "of many cult icons. Some hanging out at NYC’s 9th Circle in the West Village and, naturally, at the legendary Studio 54."
Steve Sandberg who produced the Royal Jones ’Ruffle in a Bag of Plain’ 14 basement tracks. A couple tracks from "Ruffle in a bag of plain" are featured in full-length on the RoyalJones.com website.
Royal Jones has performed at NYC OUT MUSIC in Manhattan. "a disco Neil Young, an Amish Sylvester! Some of the commentary after the show…that was then…
In 2003 Royal Jones collaborated with Eric "CODEE" Cody and the EP ‘Make Things Nice’ and the CD ‘You Broke the Circle’ were released. Both CDs include all original material by Jones, Codee, and Mark Reilly. "And one revisited by Sandberg as well!"
Royal Jones’ last live NYC appearance was in January of 2006 as guest artist with Stephanie Clark at the 55 Barin NYC.. He sang his original ditty "If I Ever Come Down" and "Home" -- the Charles Smalls classic from The Wiz ( a staple in Jones repertoire for years).Way back when I was studying my voice in Brookline Mass with Ms Geri I sang this to deaf!
Jennifer Layton - editor Indie-Music.com
Royal Jones ~ A Dear in the Headlights
Date: Sunday, September 07, 2008
Topic: Reviews
Royal Jones ~ A Dear in the Headlights
Date: Sunday, September 07, 2008 @ 16:01:15 EDT
Topic: Reviews
Artist: Royal Jones
CD: A Dear in the Headlights
Home: New York City
Style: Funk/Soul
Quote: "It would be classy enough for the Upper East Side, if Mr. Jones would just put on a tux and behave himself. Fortunately for all of us, he doesn’t."
By Jennifer Layton
I had the pleasure of reviewing Royal Jones’ debut You Broke the Circle a few years ago, and I’ve been wondering when this naughty funky boy diva would show up again. Circle was full of life and soul, along with tales of wonderfully skanky behavior mixed with upscale-club sophistication. Like smoking a joint while enjoying a martini. Excuse me – my editor is grabbing the keyboard. [EDITOR’S NOTE: Jennifer has never smoked pot in her life, and if she did, she didn’t get it from us. Drugs are bad.]
Um, OK. I’m back. The Royal Mr. Jones is back with A Dear in the Headlights, and this trip is more polished and sophisticated. The music has taken a massive step up, with killer piano, funky horns, demanding bass, and Motownish female backup vocalists with harmonies to die for. It would be classy enough for the Upper East Side, if Mr. Jones would just put on a tux and behave himself. Fortunately for all of us, he doesn’t.
Take, for example, the groove of "If I Ever Come Down," a sexy, daring dance track. How can you not be drawn in by the rueful line, "If I ever come down, I’ll behave, I’ll be good"? I think this song is actually built around a lyric from another song I liked on the first album. Looks like Jones still hasn’t come down yet. And just in case you think he’s being too vague, please enjoy the next track, "A Little Vice." It’s a languid, dazed little number that starts off with "I’m really stoned, you got the wrong number, but I’m glad you phoned." This is a good song to get stoned to. [EDITOR’S NOTE: We didn’t say that. We don’t even know this reviewer. Drugs are bad.]
Royal Jones and his brilliantly talented team of funksters are obviously having musical as well as lyrical fun, moving from the snappy, playful jazz/funk of "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" to the smoky piano lounge feel of "Echo." The one suggestion I would make for the next album is that the vocals do need to be turned up a little – the voice does get a little overpowered by the instrumentation. However, the sass still comes through. The moods may change, but the attitude-laden yet fun vibe still infuses every song like the smoke from a well-rolled – um, never mind.
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