Thelma Jones : Expanded Edition

Later renamed Salty Tears after the album's most successful track, Jones' style of singing lies between southern and urban soul. In the vein of Dorothy Moore's "Misty Blue," Jones' "Salty Tears" paved the same path and initially gave indications of charting as high as Moore's classic before unexplainably dropping from contention. Two similar ballads, "Stay Awhile With Me" and "Lonely Enough to Try Anything," sung in Jones' controlled alto, follow a similar and less exciting pattern as "Salty." An attempt at something familiar, the Miracles' "I Second That Emotion," is unimpressive, Thelma's straightforward style is too staid to flow coherently with the syncopated, hesitating melody. A rendition of the O'Jays' "Now That We Found Love" fares better as the North Carolina native is able to connect with the rhythm for a credible vocal. An unremarkable collection, but one that won't embarrass her when she plays it for family and friends and tell of her years as a recording artist to wide-eyed nieces, nephews, and cousins. ~ Andrew Hamilton|