Customer Reviews

Still Commissioned: The Songs of Mitchell Jones

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very impressed by this CD. I actually bought it for my fiance, but after I listened to it, I was hooked. Mitchell's remakes of his Commissioned hits are brilliantly brought up to date. The music is excellent, very mellow, and of course the lyrics minister to the heart, as always. I highly recommend this CD.

This CD is wonderful! Not only have some Commissioned favorites been revived--the new stuff is awesome. "You Are My God" in my opinion may be the greatest song, to date, ever written by Mitchell Jones. I can't stop playing it. "Don't Worry" has always been one of my favorites and it sounds as good and as up-to-date today as it did back in 1990 when I first heard Commissioned. If you like gospel music in that smooth,R&B, Commissioned-style ( that NOBODY can duplicate) this CD is a must-have.

Mitchell Jones has long been the "un-sung" hero of gospel music. With his group Commissioned (the baddest, most influential gospel group in history!) Mitch wrote, produced, and sang some all the all time greatest songs.

This CD introduces those songs to a whole new generation with updated arrangements and musicianship. AND Mitch's signature smooth vocals. I appreciate the re-arrangements of some of my favorites like Cry on, Ordinary Just Won't do, and I am here.

This CD also introduces a few tracks from his upcoming P&W release. I love the song "Breathe" and Mitch's rendition is one of the best I've heard.

PICK THIS UP! You won't be disappointed.

Like all things Commissioned, I buy without first previewing (or pre-listening) because of their history of consistent Scripture-based, relevant, heart-felt, reverent, and deep contemporary compositions. This is no different. It is true that nothing on this CD comes as a surprise--typical Mitchell Jones' Commissioned. Perhaps some would say it's too safe. Maybe. But this is certainly offset by the depth of writing, the beauty of the vocal arrangements, and the spiritual honesty--that breaks through the barriers of simple religiosity into themes of spiritual intimacy with our loving Creator. This is what made Commissioned great--yea even unique. This is what makes Mitchell Jones great, and unique. This is why I've always considered him my favorite Commissioned member along with Fred Hammond. I gave it only 4 stars instead of 5 for the same reason as others have -- all the songs weren't revamped. I actually give it 4.5 stars but Amazon doesn't allow this. In short I highly recommend this CD without reservation. Go cop this RIGHT now if you haven't already!!!

*** Track by Track Break down ***
1. Cry On
This is one of my all time favorite Commissioned songs (there's well over 20 of those though)! This was well done...urrr re-done. It did no disrespect to the original. It is close enough to the original and yet updated enough that it has a somewhat different yet equally authentic relevance. I might even like it more than the original...MIGHT! It is at least just as moving. Having his offspring sing on it with him (at least I think it is) was a nice touch. Definitely my favorite cut. 5 HalleluJahs!!!!!

2. Ordinary Just Won't Do
This is another one of my all time favorite Commissioned songs. Love it, love it, love it! Sweet remake that is yet again unpretentious. Sometimes I actually enjoy the Time & Seasons remake more than this one, but that's sometimes. They are very different. This one is closer in feel to the original but more mellow. Either way--and either version--all get the same: 5 HalleluJahs!!!!!

3. You Are My God
This is definitely Mitchell doing his thing. It's smooth, powerful, deep, and just real! He sings, "You have freed me from the curse, from the laws of sin and death. I am covered by Your blood, and Your righteousness." Then he breaks into praise! The chorus goes, "Your are my God, I am Your son, made in Your image, Your likeness, we are one. I won't forget all Your benefits. My light's (or life's) a priviledge given to men." That's some powerful stuff. This is THE ONLY totally original cut on this CD and I'm looking forward to his solo effort God willing. This track is hot! The only thing I don't care for is the electric guitar during the bridge. It's a bit too harsh sounding for the general mood of this song and the CD. 4 HalleluJahs!!!!

4. Only What You Do For Christ Will Last
The original version of this song played a major role in my initial conversion back in 1990 thanks to my cousin who introduced me to Commissioned by giving me an unsolicited tape with some of their songs on it. This song, then, is very special to me. While I enjoy the original more, this version certainly holds its own and would probably be more moving to a newer generation of Commissioned fans--maybe. I would have preferred the instrumentation (particularly the baseline) to be a little less prominent. The guest vocalist didn't really add anything to this track. Still, it is a thing of beauty. 4.5 HalleluJahs!!!!

5. Don't Worry
This is the original recording. A remix would have been sweet. Still sounds good to me though. Boy can you hear Fred's pro-funk influence!

6. I Am Here (Segue)
A beautiful interlude in keeping with Commissioned's tradition of laying sweet short tracks like this that you wish they could expand and sing to! 5 HalleluJahs!!!!!

7. I Am Here
This remake is well done. It is not as moving as the original but is still heart-felt. I love the predominantly female background vocals. The guest vocals add extra layers and the last minute and 40 seconds of the song is absolutely off the chain! This is typical Mitchell Jones with a new century sensibility added to the mix. Love it! 5 HalleluJahs!!!!!

8. No More Loneliness
This is the original unchanged version--as beautiful as ever. It sounds only SLIGHTLY aged--and I mean SLIGHTLY. It doesn't sound 16 years old!! They were certainly ahead of their time thanks to Mitchell and Fred. I wish he had attempted a remake of it though.

9. Dare to Believe
This track has that typical R&B flavor of the 1990's that still remains timeless. It's hard to replace Fred however and he took the original to a level this one cannot attain. But it does come close. 4.5 HalleluJahs!!!!

10. You Can Depend on Jesus
This is the original recording. It sounds somewhat dated but nothing that a little remastering couldn't fix.

11. Victory
This is the original recording. This one sounds dated. It would have been nice to hear an updated version.

12. Breathe
This song has been done by many artists over the years. My two favorite versions are this one and Lisa McClendon's (I like hers the best so far). While this track still has a very strong CCM feel to it, Mitchell's vocals are laced with his usual silkiness that drips of smooth R&B with Gospel sensibility. I don't care for the electric guitar that forces itself intermittently througout the track for the same reason I mentioned in my review of track 3. 4.5 HalleluJahs!!!!

13. Ordinary Just Won't Do
This sounds pretty much just like the original minus the trademark tight Mitchell+Karl+Keith+Fred harmonies. Hence it falls short. It has been mastered better--but that's to be expected, after all, the original is 16 years old! This song--in all its forms--sounds like it could have been made in 2005. It is truly truly timeless. Mitchell's vocals on this one are a little better than the original's but it doesn't replace the Commissioned harmonies. I still really enjoy listening to it. 4.5 HalleluJahs!!!!

14. Let's Not Crucify Him Again
This is the original recording. Sounds just as good and as relevant as the original. A little contemporary tweaking of some of the beats and a little remastering would have been nice.

In all, this project is spiritually deep yet contemporarily sweet. Love it! I think you'll love it too if you like Commissioned and their Mitchell Jones-influenced smooth R&B gospel style that is largely responsible for the sounds of contemporary gospel and even secular artists like Boys II Men, Brandy, Ruben Studdard, etc. Commissioned is timeless music--and Mitchell Jones is, truly, still commissioned.

I think that this CD is wonderful and I really enjoyed how some of the songs were revamped. I have enjoyed Commissioned since the 1980's and their music was even then ahead of it's time. I am so happy that Mitchell is finally stepping out- getting solo attention that he greatly deserves. His voice has always stood out- being so emotional and full of intensity. When he sings you can feel the sincerity and intimacy with God that is such a beautiful express of praise unto the Lord. Then there is the vocal harmony and music that ties it all together. The songs are like a musical application of God's Word done with a strong commitment to each message. Mitchell is truly a Psalmist in our time. I am giving it 5 stars because it is anointed and great music that is timeless. I will be anticipating his next release. I would recommend this CD to anyone who likes music that will minister to your spirit and soul.

In response to(Dennis-fellow reviewer) the reason why the songs Hold me and I Love Thinking of You were not on this CD because he co- wrote those songs with Parkes Stewart.

I'll start by saying that Mitchell Jones has always been one of my favorites out of all the Commissioned alums. I always wondered why he didn't put a solo album out. He was really loyal to Commissioned. Him and Karl Reid were the one constant reminder of Commissioned greatness. Well now we find Mitch front and center and he does not disappoint. I like the remakes of "Cry On", "Ordinary Just Want Do", "I Am Here", "Only What You Do For Christ Will Last", and "Dare to Believe". Even though I have heard these songs over and over again down through the years, they still came off as fresh and up-to-date. The new songs are in the same mold as the songs he wrote in the past with Commissioned. "You Are My God" and "Breathe" foretell of his solo project that's coming late this year. The only thing I do not like is that all the songs weren't remade. "No More Loneliness", "Don't Worry", etc. were all presented in original format. That was a little disappointing. I would have liked to hear these songs redone giving them a new day flavor. However, the album is real relaxing and is great as a winding-down CD. Most of the songs are slow, so if you're looking for some bump, this is not the place to look. I think this was more of a marketing tool for his upcoming project. Mitchell is just as smooth as ever and added plenty of seasoning to his vocals. If you are a Commissioned fan, then you know that Mitch was an intricate part of the group. You can tell by listening to the vocals and background on this CD. He was a big part of the Commissioned sound and a big reason why the vocals were so tight. The vocals are tight on this CD as well. I just enjoyed hearing him again. I would recommend this CD to any Commissioned fan, new and old. I would have given it 5 stars, but all the songs weren't remade.

I have been a commissioned fan since there first album back in the early 80's when I was a kid. This album is nothing less than what they have produced in the past, "Amazing" Mitchell has amazing vocal skills. I can't stop praising the lord. Thanks Mitchell for continuing your mission. I will support you to the end.

At first, I thought that this was going to be a solo album of new Mitchell songs, then I looked at the title again and figured out the purpose of this cd. I grew up on commissioned and I believe that they are one group who's music you cannot get sick of. There's a lot of new music in the Gospel arena today that's more appealing to the flesh rather than the spirit, but these songs and the rest of the commissioned songs will always benefit the spirit. Mitchell's voice is so unique, u can make no mistake when u hear his voice. I give this 4 stars because I thought the songs were going to be remixed with a little more urban flavor to it, but no matter how the songs sounded, the anointing is still there. I was surprised to see that Mitchell wrote all these songs which I had no idea of. U know this is a God-gifted young man. Praise God for Mitchell; it is really nice to see a young man serving and using his gifts and talents all to the glory of God. I believe that Mitchell has and will always touch hearts.

I've been playing those 5 songs on repeat every morning. As it's been said, the songs are very mellow. A great praise and worship CD. Only What You Do For Christ is my favorite, followed by Dare To Believe. I gave it 4 stars because I wished all the songs were revamped. What a songwriter Mitchell Jones is, praise God!

When I heard Mitchell Jones was putting out an album of his own,there's is only two words that came to my mind, Praise God! I have have been a Commissioned fan since the early eighties and to be able to hear my favorite member of the group on a solo project just blew me away. Mitchell is smooth as ever and offers something different than whats out there today. This album is very mellow and allows you to meditate and worship the Lord in a way that is different than most gospel albums. I was especially blessed by the remake of such songs as "Cry On, Ordinary Just Won't Do, I am Here and Dare to Believe." The new song "You are My God," is a beautiful peace and shows that Mitchell Jones has not lost his touch in making rich music. It would have been nice to have all the songs on the album remade , but I didnt complain. Even the old ones on the album still touch my heart. Commissioned is the greatest group ever in my heart and Mitchell Jones is the primary reason why the group last for so long. Cant wait to hear his new album soon.