By Lily Goodman
The legendary musician Rickie Lee Jones has had a career chock-full of accomplishments. She’s a two-time Grammy winner; she was listed as No. 30 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Women in Rock & Roll, Rolling Stone put her on its cover twice in two years; she’s played numerous sold-out tours, and her latest album, The Other Side of Desire — released in June 2015 and some 38 years after her début album — is recognized by critics to be just as riveting as ever before. And, as you might expect, the list goes on.
“In terms of being a music icon, I think it relates to an artist’s longevity — their ability to continue making records and engaging artists. Once you’ve been doing it for 30 years or more, I think you become a legend,” said Andre Perry, the Englert’s executive director, on what makes Jones such an exceptional musician.
It was with this spirit that Jones took the Englert stage Wednesday night. Yes, as surreal as it may seem, Jones took on Iowa City, and as one would expect, it was quite an extraordinary experience.
Jones alighted on the stage with a quick wave and smile — a noticeably modest gesture for someone so accomplished. After making her introductions, she sat down at the piano and began to sing, not wasting any time. She began with a few songs from her more recent work before moving on to the timeless and sought-after “Living It Up” from her 1981 album Pirates. The audience broke into rapid applause, cheering on what is arguably one of Jones’s most popular songs.
Minutes before the show started, Iowa City resident and audience member Sue Mannix had no trouble describing Jones’s talent.
“She’s a really gifted singer-songwriter,” Mannix said. “She’s a wonderful writer and has a great overall presentation. I also like that she uses a variety of instruments.”
Jones’s variety of instruments certainly weren’t lacking. Of course, a bass and two different guitars were used, with Jones bringing in an additional guitarist and a percussionist to incorporate a vibraphone, snare drum, and a pair of maracas. And, of course, soaring above all else, there was Jones’ voice.
There’s no doubt whether Jones’s unique approach to singing is exceptional, one of the defining characteristics that sets her apart from many other female vocalists. Many critics have taken note of her voice’s ability to emulate the saxophone, in much of the same way highly regarded jazz saxophonists could imitate the human voice with their instruments.
But while dynamic and attention-grabbing, Jones’ vocals are also quite understated and almost delicate at times. Such subtleties create an atmospheric connection with her audience, allowing for the profound and perceptive lyrics, grappling with loneliness and unrequited love, to shine through.
Another member of the audience, Roger Eggenburg, who said he started listening to Jones in the late-1970s, gave an additional reason why her music is so captivating.
“She’s so versatile. She has some folk, some blues, some jazz, so she has this really versatile repertoire, and that’s quite appealing, I think,” he said.
Fortunately for Eggenburg, and the rest of the audience, Jones displayed all of that versatility in her performance at the Englert. From belting out her top hit “We Belong Together” to “Jimmy Choos” from The Other Side of Desire, Jones did it all, proving once again, that she was, and always will be, the music legend we adore.