Georges-Alain Jones? No, he’s neither the son of Michaël Jones nor Tom Jones, and he’s not related to Norah Jones either. His name, inherited from his African-American father, has English-sounding tones, but Georges-Alain Jones is thoroughly French, and I would even say a true native of the Azure Coast who could not live without its landscape and climate, so envied by Parisians.
Why are we talking about this young father whom TF1 viewers discovered one evening on a well-known reality TV show? Simply because, after a two-year absence from the media, Georges-Alain Jones is back with his debut album “New Jersey” in his pocket, featuring “pop variété” sounds, as it’s now called. Even though Georges-Alain Jones seems elusive, even though he’s reserved, even though he doesn’t like his private life being exposed, even though he can’t stand the “loft-like” aspects of the chateau, and even though he avoids media exposure. Georges-Alain Jones is simply someone who doesn’t play games and who, in his first album, “reveals himself little by little”. A real treat for our ears!!!
Don’t believe me? Listen to his songs; you’re going to be surprised! Surprised, that’s what Nice-Première was when they met on Wednesday, April 5th at the Fnac, this young, super “cool” singer-songwriter nicknamed Georges-Alain Jones.
Nice-Première: Today, you are at a showcase at Fnac in Nice to present your first album to the locals. How would you describe it in a few words?
Georges-Alain Jones: Oh, I’m not very good at this, but I’ll try. It’s a pop “variété” album with various influences, including a bit of blues, groovy at times, with guitars featured throughout. That’s my world.
N-P: While listening to your album, I noticed some nuances reminiscent of Gérald De Palmas.
G.-A.J: I don’t know if he’ll be pleased to hear that. But for me, it’s super flattering. Maybe unconsciously. I did listen to him… It’s the sound that comes closest in France along with Sinclair, De Palmas… I’m not much into French music, but I fully enjoy their work.
N-P: Why did you title it New Jersey?
G.-A.J: It’s quite simple. All my father’s side of the family lives in New Jersey, and it was my little therapy. I wrote a song that talks a bit about my past without going into too much detail, it’s just an outline. It was my way of exorcising things.
N-P: Like Central Park?
G.-A.J: Right next door. Yes, those are places I love to go to when I’m in the USA. Magical places for me.
N-P: In “Messieurs les Jurés”, you respond to all those who have criticized you and you promise us “the naked truth”. Who is Georges-Alain Jones really?
G.-A.J: Georges-Alain Jones isn’t just a guy you’ve seen on a TV show who can smash doors or say bad words, because that’s what you’ve seen. That’s how I am, I won’t deny it, I’m someone from the south, with a bit of a hot temperament. But I’ve been judged from just this side, evidenced by when I came back with the album, they were somewhat dumbfounded: “what? You play this kind of music”. It’s not a vendetta. I’m straightforward and I wanted to make a small point. This is what I am… Basically, who hasn’t made small mistakes in their life? And we shouldn’t judge people we don’t know. I’m not one to mince words. So, it’s just a small clarification, it’s not vindictive at all. It was a sort of small therapy in relation to Star Academy.
N-P: Your tour is ending soon, what’s your take on it?
G.-A.J: Very good balance. The last date was in January in Paris.
