Sammy Jones

Sammy Jones hailed from Cleveland, and although he recorded a couple of little known gems during his career, his output wasn’t very prolific considering the length of time he spent in the business. After an initial doo-wop flavoured group disc issued in Chicago, Jones went to New York cutting sessions for the Hull/Mascot group that were to prove his very best tracks.

His loving version of Hank Cochran’s “Don’t Touch Me” is simply irresistible country soul, but his "Nothing Can Change This Love” is even better. For a start there are the superb horns, and some first class musicianship from the Big Apple’s finest players – you can hear Pretty Purdie, Richard Tee and Cornel Dupree at their best. Secondly the song is a classic, one of Sam Cooke’s very best, but finally and most importantly there is Jones’ full strength committed vocal. If it wasn’t for my love of the Big O this would easily be the very best cut of this song ever waxed. Music really doesn’t get much better than this.

Sadly Jones’ subsequent Cleveland recordings for Jenesis, some of which were leased to Mercury, don’t match this incredibly high standard, even though "You've Got To Show Me" is a worthy uptown ballad.

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