Barbara Nation ( – 19 December 2014), better known as Barbara Jones, was a Jamaican singer who had a UK hit single in 1981 with "Just When I Needed You Most".
Career Born in Kingston and raised in Manchester, Jamaica, she began her career in 1971 with the single "Sad Movies".Campbell, Howard (2014) "Gospel singer Barbara Jones dies at 62", Jamaica Observer, 23 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014 She had her greatest success in January 1981 with "Just When I Needed You Most", which reached number 31 on the UK Singles Chart."Barbara Jones", Official Charts Company; retrieved 24 December 2014
She toured as backing singer with Jimmy Cliff in the late 1970s and early 1980s; In 1991, she became a devout Christian and gave up secular music to concentrate on gospel music.Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2013) "Barbara Jones still giving thanks", Jamaica Observer, 17 March 2013; retrieved 24 December 2014.
After becoming ill in London, she was diagnosed with leukaemia in February 2014. She returned to reggae with performances in Brazil with Lloyd Parks.Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2014) "Barbara Jones gets her groove back in Brazil", Jamaica Observer, 8 June 2014; retrieved 24 December 2014. Her health deteriorated and she died in Kingston's University Hospital of the West Indies on 19 December 2014, from pneumonia contracted during chemotherapy treatments. She was 62 years old."Gospel Singer Barbara Jones Is Dead", Jamaica Gleaner, 19 December 2014; retrieved 24 December 2014
Jones was once described as "the Billie Holliday of reggae music".Hebdige, Dick (1987) Cut `n' Mix: Culture, Identity and Caribbean Music, Routledge; , p. 121
Discography Don't Stop Loving Me (1979), GG's My Love: Just When I Needed You Most (1980), Rhino Sings Hit Songs In Reggae Style (1983), Top Rank You're Always On My Mind (1984), Dynamic 10 Million Sellers In Reggae (1985), Top Rank Need to Belong (1985), EAD Will It Last Forever, Hit For Your Ears Only (1994), Jamaican Gold The Two of Us, Park Height - Phillip James feat. Barbara Jones Jesus Is Calling (2000), VP Thank You Lord for Your Blessing (2005), Silver Lining So Much to Thank Him For (2005), Silver Lining Use Me Lord (2011), Nylahs Gospel Music
Compilations Best of Barbara Jones (1976), Trojan Sad Movies (1997), Charly Just When I Needed You Most: The Best of Barbara Jones (2004), Trojan Blue Side of Lonesome (2007), Jet Star/Zone Entertainment
References