What's On My iPod? Joss Stone--Introducing Joss Stone
By Kristasphere
This girl is just pure fire. Her voice is the daughter of vocal soul mothers Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin, Betty Wright, Etta James, and Laura Nyro before her. And she is so unpretentious she goes barefoot on stage. I think I wore her 'Soul Sessions' CD down to a nub I played it so much. The difference in her voice and others her age, is the invaluable mentorship she has from the legendary vocalist Betty Wright and the singer/songwriter Angie Stone. You can tell from her phrasing, accent, and passion that she's heeded every bit of what she's been taught. She doesn't over-sing or "go to church"at will. Her tonality is clear and well beyond her years. Like Aretha before her, on track 3 Headturner she sings, "What you want/baby I got it! " Yes girl, you certainly do.
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3 Responses to What's On My iPod? Joss Stone--Introducing Joss Stone
I just love her voice, so soothing, yet so full of soul. I like listening to her, eyes closed, headphones on full throttle and the beautiful sound filling up my mind.
I think it's unwise to try and compare Joss Stone with legendary singers like Aretha Franklin and Etta James.
By the time Aretha reached 18, she had lived in a segregated country, Jim Crow and rabid racial discrimination. It's rough to know that you are not considered "as good or equal" to other people in a country where you were BORN.
Miss Stone doesn't know what it's like to be told "we don't serve black people here" or "you have to sit in the back of the bus."
The church every Sunday, tours with Rev. Franklin from across the country to black church after black church, singing with and COMPETING with the BEST in gospel was Aretha's experience by the time she was 18.
You CANNOT mention Joss or Amy Winehouse in the same breath as Aretha or Etta James!
When I listen to Joss, I don't hear that she's perfected the "technnique of soul singing." To untrained ears, they may THINK she has, but as one of those who sang in black choirs for years, I know soul singing and when it's done RIGHT.
Forget Aretha, I can name singer after singer that can sing CIRCLES around Joss Stone. The sad thing is, Ms. Stone listened to some soul records and decided that she was a 'soul singer'. And, all she had to do was cross the border into the USA and she was welcomed with open arms, immediately booked on Leno, Letterman, Today and Diva's Live and other choice gigs, jumping right over American black soul singers who have NEVER been seen on national TV. People who have been "paying dues" for years!
@Oliver:
Couple of thoughts...
1. Not sure if you read my profile, but being that I'm African-American, I'm well aware of the ugly history and legacy of Jim Crowe in the United States.
2. The point you make about Joss Stone never having experienced segregated society could also be made, by virtue of their ages, about Mary J. Blige, Lizz Wright, Angie Stone, or Lailah Hathaway, so does that discount their talents too?
My point about Joss was not to say she's as good or better than Aretha. It goes without saying Ms. Franklin is a legend, and will always be the Queen of Soul.
My point was there is a dearth of quality soul singers of Joss' generation, of any race. Who is carrying it on and preserving it's authenticity? Ciera? Fergie? Janet? Kids like Ciera couldn't find the notes Joss nor Aretha hits with a road map. I was making more of a generational statement about her abilities and her respect for soul legends such as Franklin.
I think Mary J. is another singer who from day one has honored soul music's roots, but she is a rarity these days, and she's getting older. Hope this clears it up.
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