Customer Reviews

Life Goes on

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Donell Jones has been in the r&b game for a little while now. His debut CD, "My Heart" was released in 1996. His 1st 2 singles, "In The Hood" and "Knocks Me Off My Feet", a Stevie Wonder remake, threw me off a little bit so I wasn't feelin' Donell Jones too much when he first came out. His 2nd disc, "Where I Wanna Be", is what turned me on to Donell Jones. I was able to relate to a lot of the songs that were on this CD, plus the soulful and sensual songs didn't hurt at all. The 1st single, "Shorty (Got Her Eyes On Me)" didn't get a lot of airplay but was still a nice song. His big break came with the release of the uptempo jam, "U Know What's Up" w/Left Eye from TLC. (RIP) This Eddie F and Darren Lighty song was definitely a hot song and propelled "Where I Wanna Be" into platinum status. Once I played the CD out which also included good songs like the title track, "Have You Seen Her", "He Won't Hurt You", and "All This Luv", I decided to go ahead and purchase his first CD, which is better than a lot of people think. There are a lot of nice, sensual slow jams on that CD as well. The 3rd time around, Donell Jones is back with "Life Goes On". I agree with reviewer "Tony" in saying that this is his best effort ever. He has stayed with the same formula as "Where I Wanna Be" but he has turned things up a notch on this release. The CD starts off with a bang on "Still". This scorchin' uptempo jam should be the next single for sure. Donell is well known for his slow jams but this is right up there with "U Know What's Up". Donell is trying to figure out what's going on with a woman that he is involved with and basically wants to know if the girl is still feelin' him. The 1st single, "You Know That I Love You", is also Donell presenting another nice uptempo song. This is definitely the best choice for the first single and should be a good song for all the hot weather and summertime cookouts that are still to come. Donell has a way of presenting well crafted songs for the ladies. Fans of Donell Jones' slow songs will not be disappointed. "Where You Are (Is Where I Wanna Be) (Part 2)" is classic Donell material. He always has a way with words and this is a nice follow up to the original track. Other noteworthy slow jams include "Do U Wanna", "Guilty By Suspicion", "Comeback" and the title track. "Gotta Ger Her (Outta My Head)" is also another uptempo song that is worth checking out. I feel sorry for the A&R (s) for "Life Goes On" because it will be hard to pick a 2nd single. There are a lot of good choices to pick from. Overall, I feel that fans of Donell Jones' first 2 CDs, "My Heart" and "Where I Wanna Be", will be pleased with this effort. Donell Jones shows that he can get better with time.

James' Top 5

1. Still
2. You Know That I Love You
3. Where You Are (Is Where I Wanna Be) (Part 2)
4. Life Goes On
5. (Tie) Do U Wanna
5. Guilty By Suspicion

A huge of fan of Donell Jones' music going from his first sensational but some what over look debut "My Heart" to the smooth-romantic Where I Wanna Be. Donell returns with his third and his best CD of his career at this point. This CD pretty much picks up with his last one Where I Wanna Be but this CD also shows continuing growth from an artist that will be around for some time to come. From the opening track the funky Still to the closing track I Hope It's You this is a smooth silky musical ride. Best moments on the CD when Mr. Jones slow the pace down with such ballads like " Where You Are(Is Where I Wanna Be pt 2) song picks up where his 2000 hit Where I Wanna be left off) The sensual " Do U Wanna", "Dont Leave", " Come Back", " I Hope it's You" all these ballads are great perfect mood setters these songs alone is worth price of the CD. Other noteworthy tracks the first single " You Know I Love You", "Life Goes On", Gotta Get Her( Outta My Mind)

The entire Cd is wonderful piece of work from an singer, songwriter, producer that will continue to get better with each release pick this up you will enjoy this CD

Once Again, Soulful R&B Artist Donell Jones delivers yet another
potentially classic album. Seemingly picking up where "Where I Wanna Be" left off, the album's lead off single "You know that love you" can easily be a contender for one of the best jams of the summer. Other album standouts are "Where You Are" the smooth and sensual Pt.2 of "Where I Wanna Be" and the heartfelt "Life Goes On" as Jones takes an introspective look into his life from behind bars. At the album's end,three outstanding tracks seal the deal for that special intimate night - "Don't Leave", "Comeback", and "I Hope It's You". This album is without a doubt a must have for your collection.

Off the hoookkkkkk!!!!!! This is his best work to date. Donell Jones has done it again. If you are a Big Donell Jones fan don't wait to get this. This album is going straight to the top. I just hope radio finally gives him his props. He is in a class all by him self. Keep up the good work.

The man is the truth! He tells it like it is....straight with no chaser. If you haven't had the pleasure of riding, grinding, or just parlaying with this sultan of street soul....then, my friend you are doing yourself a great disservice.

I love Donell Jones' music and I'm a big fan of this CD -- minus the song "Freakin' U."

It's not that it's a bad song, I just think it really doesn't fit the overall tone of love and lovemaking (Is he singing to that special lady or just an "overnight wife"? I choose the former) on this album. I find the other 11 songs to be absolutely beautiful. "Freakin' U" is a track he could've given to Jaheim.

This album really is for true Donell fans ... those who can get into his Michael Jackson-like voice and see the brilliance of his songwriting and production skills (Otherwise, I think too many would listen to this LP and dislike it b/c it's not your typical Usher or Tyrese or Omarion or Chris Brown kind of R&B).

DJ's not the dancer/showman/high energy type. He's got a more mellow, laid back style -- not something all music listeners are prepared to appreciate.

That being said, everyone's doing "Top Tracks" listings.

Here's My Order (Best to "Second-Best" though I really do LOVE all these songs):

1)"I'm Hoping It's You" -- 10/10, smooth vocals & excellent writing
2)"Comeback" -- 10/10, sick, hypnotic beat
3)"You Know That I Love You" -- 10/10, old school, soulful sound
4)"Where You Are (Where I Wanna Be --Part II)" -- 9.5/10, excellent vocals
5)"Guilty By Suspicion" -- 9/10, great storytelling, great writing
6)"Still" -- 9/10, great production & appropriate, simple question ... "Do you still believe in love?"
7)"Life Goes On" -- 9/10, Catchy beat, interesting writing (semiautobiographical tale?)
8)"Put Me Down" -- 8.5/10, excellent pulsating, chilled out beat
9)"Gotta Get Her Outta My Head" -- Dance beat accompanies another track with interesting story
10)"Do U Wanna" -- 8/10, blazing laid back track
11)"Don't Leave" -- 8/10, another blazing laid back track

Like I said, if Usher, Mario, Tyrese and Chris Brown are high on your R&B tastes list, this CD may be a little too mature and laid back for you.

But, if you can get into Babyface, Raheem DeVaughn, Carl Thomas and Brian McKnight -- cats a notch below Joe, Maxwell and D'Angelo vocally, but make up for it with a special something -- cop this DJ CD.

You won't be sorry.

I really enjoyed this whole CD. The songs are real nice. My favorites are:
Still-8/10
You Know That I Love You-9/10
Where You Are (Is Where I Wanna Be-Part 2) 8/10
Do You Wanna-8/10
Freakin U-9/10
Gotta Get Her Outta My Head-9/10
This is one of the best R&B albums I have heard and definately recommend this to add to your collection.

For those of you that crave to hear the almost haunting melodies, smooth chords and vocals that Donell is known for, then his third offering "Life Goes On" is definitely a must have. I am not a big time "500 reviewer" or anything, but I know R&B/Neo Soul, and I have a collection of over 300 CD's that will rival any big time reviewer. I must say that above the many R&B artists that have had promising talent and left us hanging, Donell is a bonafide talent and is here to stay. I have been following his musical ascent since his debut offering "My Heart" and sophmore effort "Where I Wanna Be" and having purchased this latest effort, I was almost floored again by his signature style. It is obvious this man bleeds pure soul. The saddest thing is, mainstream radio doesn't give this man half the notoriety he deserves! Regardless, this man should amass an impressive award case full of grammies, AMA's, the works. I copped the CD the day it hit, put it in and I haven't had the willpower to take it out since! Songs like "I Hope its You" and "Where you are" are just the beginning. This is one of those rare musical offerings that you can put in your CD player, MP3, or whatever you got, and just let it play from beginning to end.
If you don't have this or any of his works, then my friend, you are totally out of touch. Put this one in your collection today!

The extremely talented Donell Jones comes forth with an exceptional release on his third solo release. His wonderful voice clearly separates him from other artists and superb production make "Life Goes On" one of, if not, the years best R&B releases.
The album starts off with "Still" an upbeat and extremely funky song. A great hook helps add to Jones' pleading with a woman if she is still in love with him. "Put Me Down" has a bouncy, almost rap style beat, where Donell explains to a woman that he is willing to give things to his woman, but it should be both ways. "You Know That I Love You" is the best song on the album. An outstanding beat with smooth singing create the most meaningful and powerful song on the album. Donell is not afraid to set his ego aside on "Where You Are" as he explains that all he wants is to be where his woman is. "Do U Wanna" makes use of nice guitars in the beat and he creates an incredibly romantic song. "Life Goes On" shows the harder side of relationships as Donell tells a story of a woman who will not visit her man in prison and life must go on if she bails out on him. "Freakin' U" uses an interesting computer generated beat that will definitely get your head moving. A common theme throughout the entire album is the incredible production that immediately grabs the listeners attention. "Gotta Get Her (Outta My Head)" is an extremely catchy song as Jones tries to quit thinking about a girl who he still wants to be with. "Guilty By Suspicion" is one of the more meaningful songs as Donell is put in a precarious situation because his girlfriend is accusing him of cheating based on suspicion, but Donell cannot do anything because he is afraid she will not believe him. "Don't Leave" is an extremely smooth and again another very catchy song. Donell uses his talented voice to call out and plead for a girl to stay with him. "Comeback" is the slowest song on the album and it works well as Donell tells a story about him waiting for his love to come back. "I Hope It's You" is another solid song to finish up the album.
I was thoroughly impressed and pleased after listening to Donell Jones' latest release. All R&B fans should pick this one up as it one of the better releases in the past couple of years.

Musicians who ignore the styles of the moment to pursue a more timeless sound are usually revered, yet turning your back on the cutting edge isn't always a smart idea. Once, Donell Jones successfully pumped up Babyface's airbrushed R&B with the latest hip-hop grooves, a balancing act he's abandoned on his third album.

Purged of almost all vestiges of trendiness, many of the slick club cuts and equally smooth slow jams of Life Goes On could have been released five (or even 10) years ago without causing a ripple--a dubious achievement at best. Luckily, Jones is a masterful arranger, particularly of voices; intricate harmonies sell balladry like "Where U Are" and "Guilty By Suspicion," while the exquisitely detailed acoustic soul of "Come Back" makes it the album's highlight. But with a hipper take on this approach readily available (the similarly Stevie Wonder-inspired Glenn Lewis), Jones's search for the timeless could lead to obsolescence instead.