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Bishop Fred A. Jones, Sr. & the
Jones Family Singers
have been singing God’s praises for many years. This is one of the groups
that you know you can expect a new project on a regular basis. There new
CD is a compilation consisting of some of their earlier songs. It is
aptly titled The Best of the Old & New, Vol. 1.
As their name reflects, this is a group consisting of FAMILY MEMBERS. The
Patriarch of the family is Bishop Fred Jones, Sr. He is joined in the
song ministry by his wife, Lady Sarah Jones, and 5 of their 6 daughters, 1 of
their two sons, a grandson and a son-in-law. By name, the members are
Theresa Patrelle' Jones, Sabrina Renee Wade, Alexis Diane Jones-Roberts, Velma
Davis, Ernestine Jones, Fred Jones, Jr., Kenneth W. Freeman, Ian Deshaun Wade,
and Stephone Roberts.
The group has gone through several name change, from
Elder Fred A. Jones, Sr. & The
Sensational Zionaires,
to Elder Fred A. Jones,
Sr. & The Jones Family,
and now they are known as
Bishop Fred A. Jones, Sr. & the Jones Family Singers
or just The Jones Family
Singers. As
The Sensational Zioniares
they recorded the album titled Bones In The Valley.
This is not the group’s first “Best of” CD. Several years
ago the group released The Best of The Old & New of The Jones Family
Singers. The difference between that CD and the current
Best Of is the songs. The only song that is common to both is "Bones
In The Valley."
The other songs on the 2009 “Best Of” are “That's What Mama
Said, “Grandma.S Words,” “God's Got a Blessing for
You,” “We Need to Feel You,” “I Believe I'm Gonna
Make It,” “Leaning On You,” “Trying Times - Old
School,” “Thank You Lord - Live Cut,” and “Trying
Times - New School.”
The group describes their music as “Traditional Gospel with a Contemporary
Flair.” True to that description there are traditional gospel songs and
contemporary ‘leaning’ ones on The Best of Vol. 1. For the
traditional music fans, you will enjoy "That’s What Mama Said"
and "Bones In The Valley." Then there is "God’s Got A
Blessing For You," that has a down home revival feel. Throughout
this song you anticipate the Bishop shouting ‘let’s go to work ya’ll.’
This is one of those toe tapping, hand clapping, feel good song. It will
be hard to sit down on this one. For those looking for the "Contemporary
Flair" check out "No Need TO Feel You" or "Trying Times –
New School."
Listening to other project by this well traveled group, we are not certain that
The Best of Vol. 1 is really the BEST OF. For they have an
extensive repertoire and some real good music. One of our favorite recordings
by this group is their 2005 release Taking It Too The Next Level
that contained the songs "Jesus Keeps Working On Me" and "Over
In Glory." Then there is the Next Level 2 project
that contained the songs "We're Gonna Make It" and "I Can't
Refuse You." And, this group really got our attention with "God
Is Using Me" from
The Sensational Zionaires’
CD. But, in spite our personal preference, The Best of Vol. 1
is a CD that contains some very good gospel music. And, if you do not have the
earlier recordings from this group, The Best of Vol. 1 is a good
CD to start your collection of their music. The CD does showcase the
awesome vocal and musical talents of this group.
You will
certainly want to add this one to your
collection.
We give Bishop Fred A. Jones, Sr. & The Jones Family
Singers'
The Best of the Old & New, Vol. 1 an 8.5 out of 10.
To purchase this CD click
The Best of the Old & New, Vol. 1. Click on the title to hear
a clip from “Bones
In The Valley."
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