Rickie Lee Jones

In 1977, Rickie Lee Jones meets Tom Waits. They become lovers until they break up in late 1979, or early 1980 depending on whom you ask. Also, in 1979, Jones released her first album with the hit “Chuck E.’s In Love”, about Chuck E. Weiss.

She is dubbed “The Duchess Of Coolsville” because of her beret-wearing, finger-snapping ways. Not a fan of her nickname, but I do like her.

Not Rickie Lee Jones.

Why Rickie Lee Jones gets 8 ½ stars:

• The album It’s Like This [2000] A collection of cover tunes. Marvin Gaye’s “Trouble Man” and Traffic’s “Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys” are highlights. [3 stars]
• “Chuck E.’s In Love” on Rickie Lee Jones. [1979] [1 star]
• “Woody And Dutch On The Slow Train To Peking” on Pirates. [1981] [1 star]
• “Letter From The 9^th Ward/Walk Away Renee” from Girl At Her Volcano EP. [1983] [1 star]
• “It Must Be Love” from The Magazine. [1984] [1 star]
• “Stewart’s Coat” from Traffic From Paradise. [1993] [1 star]
• The album Flying Cowboys [1989] Produced by the recently late Walter Becker of Steely Dan. This was her return to pop music after taking a hiatus. [½ star]

Rickie Lee Jones

rik/kē/ /lē/ /jōnz/

verb
gerund or present participle: Rickie Lee Jonesing

insatiable desire to hear soft rock music from California

synonyms: Canadian constant craving, addicted to Robert Palmer, exaggerated Quincy Jones

“His palms were so sweaty; he had to hear some Joni Mitchell, he would settle for Eagles, that’s how bad he was Rickie Lee Jonesing.”

Still not Rickie Lee Jones.

“Depending on which decade you prefer, you could be Rickie Lee Jonesin’ or Howard Jonesin’.”