Mitchell Jones (Still Commissioned: The Songs of Mitchell Jones) - Reviews

Mitchell Jones
Still Commissioned: The Songs of Mitchell Jones

The name hardly needs an introduction. Known for his decades of involvement with Commissioned as vocalist and songwriter, Mitchell Jones has now embarked on a solo path.

Still Commissioned: The Songs of Mitchell Jones, from Light Records, is the portal into the musical world of the Detroit artist, combining not only some of the most familiar songs which he wrote for Commissioned (presented as originally recorded), but also several remakes of Commissioned hits, smoothly rendered with Jones out front and backed by a tight ensemble of backing vocalists and musicians.

As a considerable bonus (and a prelude to the upcoming praise and worship release of brand news songs from Jones), the album features a couple of new originals.

You can hardly miss the redos: "Cry On" and "Ordinary Just Won't Do" are obvious choices (the latter of which is also presented in its unplugged format). Vocalists Adrienne Jones (Mitchell's 17-year old daughter) and also Pam English and Darrin Patterson contribute, with familiar names such as Darryl Dixon (guitar), Myron Bell (drums) and Cordell Walton (keyboards, programming) also in the mix on the remakes.

Also presented as remakes are "I Am Here" and "Only What You Do For Christ Will Last". On "Dare To Believe", which first appeared on Commissioned's Matters Of The Heart album, Commissioned alumni Karl Reid makes an appearance on background vocals.

Mitchell Jones

As for the new material, both "Breathe" (an interpretation of the loved worship chorus from Marie Barnett) and "You Are My God" show the direction in which Jones is headed. The vocal crew 3rd Dimension supports Jones on both, their impeccable smoothness a perfect complement to Jones' soulful high tenor.

Commissioned's original material is deftly interspersed throughout the track listing: Let's Not Crucify Him Again", "Don't Worry", "Victory" and "No More Loneliness".

As either an intro (are there still some who need to be introduced?), a succinct overview of the man's work, or as a look ahead to what's yet to come from Mitchell Jones, Still Commissioned is a great resource.

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Producers: Various album release date: September 21, 2004
Light Records

— reviewed by Stan North —