Tom Jones - Praise & Blame

Stu, I rarely buy a record without hearing some of it first. But I did this time & without reading anything about it other than seeing a very positive review in last weekends Telegraph & because it reminded me of the outstanding TV film with Clapton.

I was pleasantly surprised how unlike the original TJ it was in style. It's not a rose coloured soft focused production, just the opposite; raw, hard & simple with minimal production & effects. It is not an easy listen - as are those early old blues-men - But if you appreciate voice, power, control & emotion & are not expecting the showbiz Tom Jones, its a worthwhile addition to the collection.

Singers like Tom will always get knocked - when asked what he thought of such criticism, he simply replied It's not unusual

More of a return to the source rather than a dramatic change I would have said. Ethan Johns production so more empathetic and stripped than raw I would have said. However, the issue for me is that he's done his thing for so long that he's forgotten how to really emote. He has the signifiers of emotion but can't do the reality. A good example is Dylans "What Good Am I?". It's a song crying out for a great cover. Tom and Erhan put everything in place and then... nothing. Didn't get to me at all.

Tom should really do more of this stuff but perhaps with a producer who'll push him more!

He stopped dyeing his hair early last year and looks far better for it. He's 70 FFS and is in amazing shape.

He's always had a fabulous R&B/Rock voice but sadly chose the Showbiz/Las Vegas route which perhaps shows where his priorities were. Still I'll perhaps give his new album a listen.

I must admit I am tempted, his performance on Jonathan Ross's show sounded more like Seasick Steve, and obviously the great bluesmen, than his 'big' sound in the past.

Good for him, I hope it does well.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
Its meant to be that bad the record company was thinking of pulling it.

Nothing like a bit of hype. After all there is no such thing as bad publicity

The cover of the album is fabulous, its plastered all over London, nice to see some gray, it looks very distinguished and natural. I have been impressed with what Tom has done the past decade seems Music is a passion for him and not just a day job.



Dean...

If it is half as good as '24' it will be worth buying.

I agree with Dean...Tom Jones has reached a point in his career where he can make the albums he wants to, not the albums that his record company tell him to.

I also agree with Stu, the press will slag him off whatever he does.

Sunday Times gave it 4 stars out of 5 and really good write-up.

I am hearing great things from people who attended the Latitude festival where TJ performed some tracks from this album.

I'm gonna take a punt and order it.

Well I have now heard it thru 6 times now, it just grows on you.

All I said before in my previous posts - and more
The recording is raw, hard & simple & with minimal production & effects, its almost like a live recording on some tracks.
If you like any form of gospel, rockabilly, blues, country & soul
If you appreciate a voice of amazing power, control & emotion.
This is a must buy
I said it makes your hair stand on end, well it still does & then some.

Based on the clips I've heard and all the rave reviews, I just ordered my copy.

I'm thinking of taking a chance on this one. I'd prefer it on vinyl but I'm not prepared to pay silly money for the privelege. Anyone know where to get the vinyl for reasonable dosh? The only copy I've seen was in the States and shipping alone was $35.
Regards,
Steve.

First listen today and it does live up to the rave reviews, however, his version of 'Ain't No Grave' does not touch Cash.

Munch,
The LP on the HMV site carries an 'out of stock' status, but I've placed an order anyway.
Probably end up like all the others where I get an e-mail from them cancelling the order. They did this to me with a couple of the Zep 200g remasters.
Cheers for the heads up anyway mate.
Regards,
Steve.