Shirley Jones of the Jones Girls to release tribute album in memory of her sisters

(January 4, 2023) She was 1/3 of one of our all-time favorite vocal groups, The Jones Girls, and now Shirley Jones is creating an album to pay tribute to her two deceased group mates. Reflections: In Loving Memory, arrives on February 16, and we simply can’t wait.  

During a half decade between 1979 and 1984, Shirley, Valorie and Brenda Jones created some of the most glorious Soul music around. The Detroit natives were ”discovered” by Philly soul music legend Kenny Gamble while they were serving as Diana Ross’s backing group during a mid-70s tour. He signed them to Philadelphia International Records, and they came out smoking with the infectious 1979 dance single "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else," which stormed the pop, soul and dance charts.

Both drop dead gorgeous and talented, the Jones Girls were individually accomplished singers; but together, their voices were absolutely heavenly. And at PIR they found the perfect match in the melodic writing and lush production that Gamble & Huff and Dexter Wansel/Cynthia Biggs provided them. Over their half decade on the label the Jones Girls recorded a series of timeless songs such as “We’re A Melody,” “Who Can I Run To” (later a hit for Xscape) and the club favorite, "Nights Over Egypt."

In what would prove a career mistake, the Jones Girls left Philadelphia International for RCA Records in 1984, and couldn't recapture the magic. They retired the group in 1985 and Shirley Jones went solo, returning to PIR in 1986 for Always In The Mood and its #1 hit, "Do You Get Enough Love." She continued to record sporadically over the next decade, and the group reunited from time to time for special concerts and issued a 1992 reunion album, Coming Back, in Europe.

The sisters spent much of the 90s raising their children, occasionally reuniting for shows (particularly in Europe) and providing guest vocal help to other artists.  Sadly, sister Valorie died in 2001 and Brenda, who also had a solo career, died in a tragic 2017 accident. Shirley Jones has remained active, both appearing in stage plays and concerts and occasionally recording (such as 2010’s Feels Like Heaven).

Now, with Reflections, Shirley Jones comes full circle, paying tribute to the two sisters with whom she made such angelic sounds, while giving her fans of more that four decades a collection of new music and previously unreleased songs to enjoy. We’ll be anxiously waiting for this release.

By Chris Rizik