Let's Groove by Willie Jones and the Royal Jokers

There is always room for argument when the birth of
rhythm & blues is discussed
When did the various musical forms join together to create
what became known as soul music?
But there is no argument that one of the places most important to this music is Detroit, and according to Bettye LaVette, "Willie Jones was the first person to sing r&b in Detroit". Willie and his group The Royal Jokers
were signed to Atlantic Records in the early 50's, and everyone in town came downand saw what they were doing and said "I can do that"
Willie’s singles barely made it out of Detroit, although they have kept high value on the collectors market over the years
He didn't get to make a full-length album until this decade, when Bettye LaVette was asked by Steve Cropper and producer Jon Tiven to sing on their album dedicated to the music of The 5 Royales. Bettye said "I'll do it if I can bring my friend Willie Jones". Willie and Tiven clicked immediately and subsequently made an album together exploring a wide variety of styles. The record features a duet with Frank Black of the Pixies, Bettye Lavette, and Chuck Mead. The album got very favorable reviews, including Rolling Stone Magazine.
With this r&b album, Willie looks forward to bringing the music worldwide.

Tracklist

1.	Let's Groove	4:13

2.	Everybody Turn Me Loose	4:40

3.	The Road From Rags and Riches	3:58

4.	Champagne Dreams	3:34

5.	Color TV	2:51

6.	Stop the Clock	3:07

7.	Without Redemption (featuring Bettye LaVette)	3:34

8.	Got You in my Bones	4:08

9.	Janie, Turn it Over (featuring Black Francis)	3:18

10.	Trigger Happy	5:18

11.	What Took Ya (featuring Chuck Mead)	3:20

12.	Explosions of Love	4:04

13.	Break Free	3:26

14.	It Ain't Enough	3:34

15.	Jody's Back in Town	4:05

16.	Everyday is New	3:46

Credits

released May 5, 2023

THIS ALBUM IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF KEITH REID October 19, 1946-March 23, 2023 Keith wrote the words to “The Road From Rags To Riches” and “Explosions of Love” and this album would not be without his contribution.

1.COLOR TV (Senator Al Franken/Jon & Sally Tiven)
2.LET’S GROOVE (Willie Jones/Jon Tiven)
3.EVERYBODY TURN ME LOOSE (Frederick Knight/Jon Tiven)
4.THE ROAD FROM RAGS TO RICHES* (Keith Reid/Jon & Sally Tiven)
5.CHAMPAGNE DREAMS (Joe Bonamassa/Jon & Sally Tiven)
6.STOP THE CLOCK (Andreas Werner/Jon Tiven)
7.WITHOUT REDEMPTION (Stephen Kalinich/Jon Tiven/Willie Jones/Bettye LaVette) duet with Bettye. LaVette*
8.GOT YOU IN MY BONES (Willie Jones/Jon Tiven)
9.JANIE, TURN IT OVER duet with Black Francis* (Stephen Kalinich/Jon Tiven/Willie Jones)
10.TRIGGER HAPPY (Stephen Kalinich/Willie Jones/Jon Tiven)
11.WHAT TOOK YA? duet with Chuck Mead (Chuck Mead/Willie Jones/Jon Tiven)
12.EXPLOSIONS OF LOVE (Keith Reid/Steve Cropper/Stephen Kalinich/Jon Tiven)
13.BREAK FREE (Charlie Feldman/Jon & Sally Tiven)
14.IT AIN’T ENOUGH (Willie Jones/Jon Tiven)
15.JODY’S BACK IN TOWN (Willie Jones/Jon Tiven)
16.EVERY DAY IS NEW (Willie Jones/Jon Tiven)

Produced by Jon Tiven
Mixed by Jon Tiven except “Janie Turn It Over”, “Road From Rags to Riches” and “Without Redemption” mixed by Jake Burns & Jon Tiven

Willie Jones-lead and background vocals
Sally Tiven-bass
Darrell Peyton, Tariq Snare, Chester Thompson, Mickey Curry, Greg Morrow-drums
Jon Tiven-guitar, saxophone, Hammond organ & piano

Special guests: Bettye LaVette-vocal duet on “Without Redemption”
Black Francis-vocal duet on “Janie, Turn It Over”
Chuck Mead-vocal duet on “What Took Ya?”

Recorded and mixed at Hormone Studios, Nashville, Tenn.
Mastered by Joe Funderburk

15.The Road From Rags to Riches (Keith Reid/Jon & Sally Tiven)

16.Janie, Turn It Over (Stephen J. Kalinich/Jon Tiven)---featuring Frank Black
Produced by Jon Tiven

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