Right now i am listening to Jill Jones debut record released on the Paisley Park label.

I havent heard it for years, because i only got a copy on vinyl, and i did put my recordplayer in the cellar.

But i have 'found' it again, in digital form this time, and wow, this album is still as great as the moment when it was released. I honestly think its the best album by any Prince-protegee ever.

A short review number by number:

Intro / Mia Bocca:
10/10, a near perfect hybrid between electrofunk and meandering orchestral arrangements, probably the best result of Prince and Clare Fisher teaming up for a production. And Jills vocals put some punchy, Nina Hagen-like edge into the mix. Especially the way the arrangement goes 'bezerk' near the end is just brilliant.

G-spot:
9/10: Classic, pure Minneapolis-funk with some great horn arrangements.

Violet Blue:
9/10: Again a very original mix between a hard electronic beat and orchestra. This time a bit more subdued, jazzy. The whole song has a French / Parisian atmosphere that reminds me of the songs on Parade.

With You:
7/10: Nothing really special, a quite generic Prince ballad with a bit cliched lyrics, but Jill pulls it off vocally, making this a better version then the orginal.

All day, all night:
8/10: This more rocking song has that typical 'revolution' bandsound, and its nice the production has been kept quite raw and unpolished. Again some crazy, punky vocals from Jill that give it more edge.

For Love:
7/10: This Cream-like 'boogie' is let down a bit by the fact that the notes are a bit too low for Jills vocals register, but she throws out some nice yells and screams near the end of the song. Typical Prince background vocals that remind me a lot of Princes vocals on several Sheila E-tracks from the mid-eighties.

My man:
8/10: this song sounds a bit like bubblegum-pop on the surface (it reminds me a bit of Madonna around True Blue), but when you listen to the lyrics, and to the venom with which Jill delivers them, you discover this song has a surprising feministic edge.

Baby, youre a trip:
9/10: Some breathtaking vocals by Jill on this track, who has the weird quality to sound like a punk or new wave-singer who is capable of crooning like Barbara Steisand, and still make it 'work'. Next to that this is just a very strong compisition, and the way its arranged (old school strings and horns with a more temporary beat) not only reminds me of Adore, its also 'works'.

In short: this is a splendid album, one of the best albums released by a female artist in the eighties, and its a damn shame you cant buy on CD.

BMG are you taking notes?

awesome, awesome, awesome album! one of the very best Prince protege albums of all time. i think it helps that it wasn't all newly-written material, and that a lot of it was stuff he pulled out from the vault.

i agree, i purchased this on CD about 6 months ago, i love violet blue, and baby your a trip, wicked vocals!

my favorite prince-associated/paisley park protege album, not to mention one of my favorite PRINCE albums (yeah that's right, i said it!).

"for love" is my absolute favorite on that album, just to hear prince singing harmony - the 12" version is weird because it's more prince than jill, but it's a really interesting listen. i also love "all day, all night", "g-spot", "mia bocca", "my man"...oh yeah, the whole thing is excellent.

I love this album! I checked on Itunes awhile back but it wasn't available. But I'll try again...

I concurr....When i bought this cassette back in the day i converted a lot of friends who had no idea who the hell Jill Jones was....This recording ROCKED and still does to this day and when i blast it in the ride i get weird looks who cares i am from a different time.....RoCK ON JILL.....U R THE BEST!

I HAVE TWO COPIES ON VINYL, AND THE ORIGINAL PRESSING OF THE CD.....ONE OF THE BEST "PROTEGE" PROJECTS OUTSIDE OF THE TIME.....IT'S A DAMN SHAME IT DIDN'T GET PROMOTED!!!!! AND "VIOLET BLUE" IS THA SHIZNIT!!!!!

Bought it in late '87 (on cassette). Great album! Always had the biggest crush on Jill

I frikkin LOVE this album!
Jill = AWESOME!

Her & Brenda (well and Van herself!) from V/A-6 are two of my Prince camp faves.
I don't know why Jill's record didn't get more promo... It's a bit sad really!!!
I've been begging a certain someone to write a ditty about her for his next record!

Also- did you guys know Jill replaced the other original girl & toured w/ Chic a few years back???

GIRL CAN SING!!!

Thanks for starting this thread!
xox
Lolly

Agreed, by far one of my favorite Paisley Park albums. I feel that it was almost a little too ahead of it's time, much like a lot of music on SOTT. Like a fine wine, the music has aged in a way to make it even better than it was back in '87.

funny you made this thread

I just downloaded the full album cd quality along with some bonus 12" remixes.

Just go here and enjoy the full album, a good classic.

http://p-l-m.blogspot.com...-1987.html


and some madhouse albums here

http://p-l-m.blogspot.com...-1987.html

http://p-l-m.blogspot.com...-1987.html

so Excellent!!!!!

thanks!

Up there with the best associated albums.

So many great tracks!

I only know the first track. And I love it.
I'd love to get my hands on the rest of it!

I always though that Jill jones was a bit more talented than most of the others

luv4u said:

I'm really wondering why since this thread is about the album "Jill Jones", not the person herself. & "Jill Jones" is by all account a Prince album, with Prince writing, arranging & recording the whole thing.

I think this was worth the wait and stands the test of time.

shaomi said:

Jill Jones is an associated artist - doesn't matter who wrote/produced it. The album is entitled "Jill Jones"

LollyPopLife said:

Jill tore UP Le Freak!!

Anxiety said:

Agree 100% with you on this one.As for 'for love'...never heard the 12' . For me this was way above mose other protoges....apart from Sheila that is.