Rickie Lee Jones performs June 1 at Tipitina’s in New Orleans.
(Lee Celano / For The Times)
I was living a life enchanted by impossible connections, narrow escapes, and the perfect timing of curiously strong coincidences, — from Last Chance Texaco: Chronicles of an American Troubadour
Rickie Lee Jones (born 11/8/54) is an American singer, musician and songwriter. Over the course of a career that spans five decades and 15 studio albums, she has recorded in various musical styles including rock, R&B, pop, soul, and jazz. A two-time Grammy Award winner (from eight nominations,) Jones was listed at No. 30 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Women in Rock & Roll in 1999. AllMusic stated:
Few singer/songwriters are as individual and eclectic as Rickie Lee Jones, a vocalist with an expressive and smoky instrument, and a composer who can weave jazz, folk, and R&B into songs with a distinct pop sensibility.
Early Life:
Jones was born the third of four children to Richard and Bettye Jones, on the north side of Chicago, Illinois, on November 8, 1954. She was named after her father, who was a singer, songwriter, painter, and trumpet player. Her mother, Bettye, was raised in orphanages around Mansfield, Ohio. She has a brother, Daniel, and two sisters, Janet Adele and Pamela Jo. Her paternal grandfather, Frank “Peg Leg” Jones, and her grandmother, Myrtle Lee, were vaudevillians based in Chicago. A singer, dancer and comedian, Peg Leg Jones’ routine consisted of singing and accompanying himself on ukulele, soft shoe dance, acrobatics, and comedy.
Jones lived in Phoenix, Arizona from age 4 to 14.
Musical Beginnings:
In 1975, at the age of 21, Jones began singing traditional jazz and original compositions in bars and coffee houses in Venice, California. Two years later, she met Tom Waits at The Troubadour. They dated for about two years, before splitting in 1979. She made music in New York and CA before leaving for France in 1983 to write music for her third solo album. After that was a 4-year hiatus, where she collaborated with Walter Becker from Steely Dan. They released an album in 1989. Ricky Lee has collaborated with a Who’s Who of musical stars, including Dr. John, Lyle Lovett, producer, David Was, Leo Kottke, and more.
Discography:
Rickie’s album, “Pieces of Treasure,” released on 4/28/23, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal but lost out to, “Bewitched” by Laufey. “Pieces of Treasure” is a playlist of standards. “Just in Time,” my YouTube selection, was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green.
|
Studio albums |
15 |
|---|---|
|
Live albums |
2 |
|
Compilation albums |
2 |
|
Video albums |
1 |
|
Singles |
22 |
|
Extended plays |
Some things to share:
In 2001, Jones was the organizer of the web community “Furniture for the People”, which is involved in gardening, social activism, bootleg exchange and left-wing politics.
In 2021, Jones’s memoir Last Chance Texaco: Chronicles of an American Troubadour was released by Grove Press. I came across a book review by Jake Cline in The Washington Post where it talks about Rickie’s memoir. If you have a few extra minutes, take a look at it.
Official website:
When I tried to go to the website my virus detector went bonkers and said it was infected, so I would avoid her official website.
Rickie Lee still has her mojo. This is a GREAT SONG as sung by her.
Source: wikipedia
Tao Talk 
Excellent choice, Lisa. I cheerfully say that without hardly knowing anything about Rickie Lee Jones, so it’s more about thanking you for bringing her back on my radar screen.
Based on my limited previous exposure, she looks like a very intriguing artist to explore. To beging with, I love her voice, which I feel is perfect for jazz. The song you highlighted is a great illustration. I also hugely dig what may be her best-known song, “Chuck E.’s In Love”.
Your series is off to a very strong start! :-)
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Happy to bring her back to you. You might say she’s a one-hit wonder, but there’s a lot of talent and world traveling performance under her belt. Imagining myself sitting in a little club in New Orleans, sipping mojitos and listening to Ricky Lee Jones…
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I fully agree. Even though my exposure to Rickie Lee Jones has been limited, I feel it’s safe to say there’s more to her than “Chuck E.’s In Love.”
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she has a talent, a raw talent, I loved the song you chose to feature!
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Happy you enjoyed :)
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That rendition of Just in Time was amazing and a brilliantly done video. She is one such artist that I run across from time to time but outside of Chuck E know little about her. Thanks for giving us a closer look.
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Randy, I’d like to read her book. Maybe one day. You’re welcome.
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I know her big hit in the UK was ‘Chuck E’s In Love’. Other than that I never really followed her career in music.
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The same here, Glyn. She was a one-hit wonder from what I know of her but she’s been making music all along. I think her in New Orleans is a perfect fit.
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She’s top tier in my book. Pirates is a great record.
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Graham happy you know her well. Might you consider doing one of those playlists with her best songs on it?? Pretty please?
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Totally on my list, but will take me a while. I need to review all her albums first.
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Great, Graham. No rush of course, I understand that could take awhile.
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When I see a beret I think of her because of Chuck e’s in Love. I’ve heard a few of her albums…she is really talented.
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You’re right, she does a great version of this wonderful song. She has a very versatile voice. I agree about Pirates being a great record too. But I didn’t realize she has put out so much music! I’ll have to see what the library has. (K)
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:)
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She’s one of those that I know more by name than by song! :)
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Same here, Dale. I want to hear more of her.
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😊
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Wow, she DOES still have it! What a set of pipes!
I discovered Tom Waits late in life, like the ’90s. I was obsessed with him for a while. They didn’t stay together very long… oh, well.
PS: Sunday at the library. Score! I got my table. Even though at least five elderly men and a few women were racing for the back. But they were racing elsewhere, not to my table. Didn’t get a LOT done, but figured a few key things out… :)
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Stacey, yes, she does!!!! When I was researching for this post I came across a really good article about Rickie and Tom’s relationship — until I realized the writer only cared about Tom’s perspective. Nuh-uh, no thanks.
YES! on Your Score! I can’t help but giggle thinking of you fast-footing it to the back against the geezers. You got past inertia, and that is what matters. And you figured few key things out!
I may not work on Halloween story for a bit, but I *will* send you the 500-word story I posted for Chuck P’s prompt around Christmas time :) Chuck P not Chuck E ;)
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Sounds good Li. I know when the muse flees one must take a breather. But yes, I’ll be waiting for the one from last year holiday time! Yay!
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Just sent it to you. Let me know what you think?
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ASAP. Hopefully over the weekend! :) :) :) Looking forward!!
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:) No rush, Stacey.
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I have been a fan for a longtime. First listen for this tune. She is still doing it at a high level, in my book anyway. Shades of the woman I know you’ll get to.
I peeked in and saw that you were doing this (annual thing?) I will drop a few comments along the way.
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Glad you dropped in, CB. This is my 5th year doing it.
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Great! She also did a great version of “Walk Away René” by Left Banke
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Good to know :)
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