BARBARA JONES GETS HER GROOVE BACK IN BRAZIL!

 By Cecelia Campbell-Livingston—

Lloyd Parks and Barbara Jones—

IT’S been over 30 years since Barbara Jones ended her secular career. But last month, the singer’s past caught up with her during a visit to Brazil.

“I didn’t know my songs were so popular there,” said Jones, whose Jamaican hits include a cover of Angel of The Morning, Woman in Me, Soul and Devotion and Dream Lover.

She added: “People always told me, I should go to Brazil as they love me there, but I saw it first-hand when I arrived in the country on Mother’s Day weekend.”

Jones, a devout Christian, told the Sunday Observer that she received a warm welcome at the Teresina and Belem airports. She got a security detail, took loads of photographs with fans and received overwhelming response when she performed with veteran bandleader/singer Lloyd Parks.

Lloyd Parks leads We The People Band

Parks was instrumental in setting up the two-week trip in which they did shows in Teresina and Belem.

He also has a following in the country where his songs, Wonder of You, Loving You and Officially are popular.

Parks has been to Brazil before with his We The People band, which backed Dennis Brown on his last overseas dates in the summer of 1999, just before the singer died.

Parks is preparing to release his new album, Fix It Back, this month.

“This album speaks to where the music is today and shows my effort to bring it back,” he said.

According to the bass player, much of contemporary reggae is mediocre and watered down. With over 45 years as a musician and artiste to his name, Parks believes he has to lead by example and record quality music.

“I wanted a different sound and wanted to do songs that are pleasing to the ears,” he said.

In addition to Officially, Parks had hit songs with Slaving and Reservations for Two.