Mind, Body & Soul by Joss Stone (CD, Sep-2004, S-Curve (USA))

Hello Blues fans. Let me tell you a little bit about our "blue eyed" soul sister who just happens to look like Brittany Spears except better. I first saw Joss Stone on "Austin City Limits" recently where she performed alot of the cuts off of her "Mind, Body and Soul" album.
If I had to describe Joss to someone who has yet to hear her and her music I'd say that you take the vocal sound of Janis Joplin, the soul of Aretha Franklin packed in a body and frame of Brittany Spears and that's just for openers.
I'm a blues fan and have cut my teeth listening to the likes of B.B.King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn and more. Blues is blues when it comes to these standard blues musicians. I'm not knockin' their music but you know something about where the music will take you.
Not with Joss Stone Blues. You don't have the usual 3 chord progression in her music in which she has a hand in writing most of her songs. In fact, in Joss's blues you have no 3 chord progression at all. I would call her music "innovative blues". It's different, it's fresh and she presents it in a wonderful package.
Her opening song on this cd is "Right to be Wrong" in which she sounds somewhat assertive in her lyrics. She takes the position that she might be wrong with her perspective but as an individual, she has the right to take whatever position she decides, even if it is wrong.
Also on this CD is "Don't Cha Wanna Ride" in which she takes a blues riff from the 1960's and adds her lyrics which produce a sweet, innovative sound to a soul standard.
I'd recommend this Joss Stone album to any blues fan who might appreciate a fresh perspective to the blues genre. Yes she sounds somewhat like Janis, presented with the soul of Aretha all in one beautiful package. Enjoy the fresh sound from an innovative writer and singer, Joss Stone.

This young woman can wail. This album displays her talents beautifully. She is so often compared to Janis Joplin which, in my opinion, detracts from Joss Stone's unique talent. There are some similarities; primarily both of them can rock and have powerful pipes. Unless she stops making music, Joss is destined to become one of the great singers of our time. This recording is the beginning and anyone who loves the blues or female voices should have this CD in their collection.


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Joss Stone was being considered the new Janis Joplin when she originally hit the scene. I bought this album expecting to be fully immersed in an emotional triumph of a record. This CD left me barren. While it is a decently produced album, it is very run of the mill R&B tripe that can be easily reproduced by anyone.

Joss Stone has a great voice, but I think that almost all the songs sound just alike... If you like one you'll probably like the whole album...

Joss Stone is the best female soul singer today. The vocals are original and incredible. I highly recommend this CD to everyone with taste.