New York, August, 2006: I first remember hearing Glenn Jones’ “I Am Somebody” on a
compilation album as a teen. I loved the song, the uplifting message and the captivating soul of
the singer. It elevated the song beyond much of the trite jazz-funk around at the time. I had long
been a fan of the producer Leon Sylvers (Shalamar, The Whispers, Dynasty) and when I
discovered he had produced Jones’ forthcoming single, “Finesse” (1984) on RCA Records, my
meager weekly schoolboy allowance was dedicated to its purchase. Over the years, I like many
other soul music enthusiasts have followed Jones’ career, safe in the knowledge that,
irrespective of commercial sales, this guy could be relied upon to provide the real deal. Great
music sung from the soul, for the soul.
Despite the early ‘80’s success of songs such as “Show Me”, undoubtedly Jones’ commercial
high point was the single “We’ve Only Just Begun” from ’89 on Jive Records. Further album’s
followed both for Jive and Atlantic. It was inevitable that with the mass dominance of hip-hop in
R&B that a traditional soul singer such as Jones would find himself going the independent route
by the turn of the ‘90’s but it’s also homage to his talent and fan base that his CD sales
independently would put many major label acts to shame.
Jones is the latest veteran soul act to be called up by Shanachie Records to front a cover song
compilation. To his credit, it’s one of the best in the series. Covers includes more recent R&B
hits such as Tony Toni Tone’s “Anniversary”, Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and
duets performed with his wife Jenobia Jeter, “Where Is The Love” (Donny Hathaway & Roberta
Flack) and Renee & Angela’s “My First Love”. A stellar set of good singin’ and good songs.
DEJANU: Glenn, this is an interesting album because it’s not simply a cover of golden oldies,
there are some covers of ‘90’s R&B hits too.
GLENN JONES: I chose songs that were my favorite songs, regardless of when they were
recorded. A lot of the classic R&B songs have been covered countless times, too.
DEJANU: One of the more contemporary covers in Toni Braxton’s “Another Sad Love Song”.
G.J.: I’ve always been a huge fan of Babyface for one thing. When I was choosing songs, I didn’t
want them all to be ballads. That was one of the songs that when Babyface produced it on her, I
thought it was a great mid-uptempo. I thought it would be great for a male singer to sing it as
opposed to a female. I also just love the chord progression and the melody.
DEJANU: Your last album (2002’s “Feels Good” on Peak Records), did really well sales-wise
which, considering it was on an independent label, is pretty amazing. Is the knowledge that you
have a fan base out there liberating when it comes to recording?
G.J.: I’ve been doing this a long time and people know who I am and I have a fan base. My
thoughts with this album, was, let me be indulgent because if no one could appreciate it, they
could appreciate it. I’m a musician and a writer and singer. It’s about me being musical. I know
that current R&B is very simplistic but I think that’s turning around. There’s a song from Jaheim,
“I Choose You”. I love that song, man. But first and foremost you have to be comfortable in your
own skin.
DEJANU: There are covers on here from artists that one would imagine you’d feel a kinship with
like Bobby Womack
(1985’s “I Wish He Didn’t Trust Me So Much”)
G.J.: I’ve always heard him clearly because he was never afraid to be soulful. In the States a lot
of stuff is broken down on a regional basis. Chicago or New York might not play the same songs
as Birmingham, Alabama or Memphis. I’m a soul singer. I came up out of the church, out of gospel
and I’ve always had that love for soul singers like Bobby Womack because he’s always been raw,
straight to it. He’s a great songwriter. When I was a kid growing up I used to always buy his
records and sneak a listen to them whenever I could as I was brought up in a religious
household that didn’t really allow us to listen to secular music. He was always an inspiration.
DEJANU: A lot of people assume you’re from New York because you were part of the whole ‘80’s
New York R&B scene.
G.J.: I was born Jacksonville, Florida. I moved to New York in ’81. I lived there for 8 years, moved
to New Jersey and 15 months ago I moved to Virginia. I wanted a more laid back, southern life.
The real estate is better priced, taxes aren’t so high. I wanted a place where I could have some
land, nice property. My wife is in to trees and flowers and plants. I have a brother who lives
down there and is the pastor of a church so it’s good to be near family.
DEJANU: Your wife, Jenobia Jeter, is a phenomenal singer in her own right. Was music the
immediate connection between you two?
G.J.: When we both met we gravitated towards each other because we were in the music
business and we understood one another. We enjoyed the same things musically. We loved the
same artists – Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin.
DEJANU: Most people know you for your R&B hits on Jive in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s but you were
known in gospel circles long before then. What was your childhood like, because you were
around established recording artists from a young age?
G.J.: Growing up as a kid singing I was always trying to have a piece of what the regular kids
have. I was raised in a very restricted way. But I think it would be quite an eye opener to see me
around these great gospel singers as a boy. It’s an incredible way to come up in music.
DEJANU: Going from that type of a restricted gospel upbringing, were there any moments when
you achieved secular success that were hard to take in?
G.J.: During the period when I was living in New York and I’d done the “Show Me” album. I picked
up the phone and it was Burt Bachcarach calling me. He wanted to discuss doing a record with
me and Dionne Warwick. It was a very exciting time – going to LA, doing Johnny Carson with
Dionne. From that I understood the possibilities.
DEJANU: You were part of Jive Records in the late ‘80’s/ early ‘90’s before it became a pop music
machine and was still establishing itself as an R&B label in New York with its own staff of writers
and producers. What was that like?
G.J.: It was interesting to see how Clive Calder (Jive Records founder and former CEO) had the
company structured with all these great writers and producers from New York writing these
songs for everybody. I’m talking about seeing Barry Eastmond, Timmy Allen and Wayne Braitwaite
working 20hrs/day juggling 5 projects. They helped me to develop my songwriting skills. I came
from a gospel writing background which is different from doing pop/R&B.
I got with Norman Connors because he heard my gospel record, “Feel The Fire” on Savoy
Records on which I wrote all the songs. I was writing contemporary gospel.
At Jive, Clive Calder just threw me in there to write with everyone. That’s when I began to open
up and confidence in myself.
DEJANU: Now you’re considered a veteran act in a very youth driven, hip-hop-oriented industry.
How difficult is it to get a fair crack of the whip?
G.J.: It’s hard. You can get discouraged by the way radio programs stuff. If you’re an artist like
myself who has a track record people at radio may play your old stuff but if you come with a new
piece it’s hard for them to play your record. I’ve had hits in the past, why don’t they give me a
shot? Most artists in my predicament, they really try and do the best record they can. I believe
artists like me should just be who they are and there’s an audience out there for them who wants
to hear more than just 2 chords. They want to hear a great record.
It’s good now to see people like Alicia Keys doing real songs. The difference is the demographic
and she has the corporate muscle behind her to make it happen.
DEJANU: The good thing I suppose is that knowing your last album did so well, selling more
independently than a lot of major label artists do.
G.J.: It sold 200,000. I was very happy about that I’m talking about not having that corporate
money. It was an independent. If it was on a major, it could have been a platinum record.
DEJANU: What’s day to day life like for you these days?
G.J.: I tour a lot on the weekends. Friday to Sunday. The economics in this country, people don’t
have money to spend like they used to so they have to pick and choose who they see. The week
days are spent on the computer and at home taking care of business, bookings, band, contracts,
things like that, I don’t have a manager so I handle all that myself, that way I get to hear
everything first hand. I have a good lawyer and road manager to take care of other things.
DEJANU: Who do you usually tour with?
G.J.: So many people. Recently it’s been Regina Belle, Jean Carne, Phil Perry, Howard Hewett,
Keith Washington, Lenny Williams, The Barkays, Tony Terry, J. Blackfoot.
DEJANU: If you had to put your success down to any thing or person in particular, other than, of
course, The Man upstairs, what would it be?
G.J.: I come from a large family, there’s nine of us. I’m the only musical one. That’s why my
mother took what I did so seriously. She took me to church conventions. She was a seamstress.
She made little suits and outfits. She was determined that I have chance to shine.
