What can I say about my pal from Ponty – just class, sheer class. 70 years old and still doing what he does best – singing songs.
His new album is a must for all music lovers, combining his usual warmth and charisma with, this time a gospel flavour. He ain’t no Johnny Cash (as some reviewers say) he doesn’t have to be, he’s Tom Jones – but forget all that, forget his history, his age – just enjoy the songs.
Especially love this part
“When I die
Where will I go?
When I die
Where will I go?
Somebody tell me
Somebody tell me
Somebody please tell me
Where will I go?”
Burning Hell
I’m going down
To the church house
Get down
On a bended knee
Deacon Jones
Pray for me
Deacon Jones please pray for me
Maybe there aint no heaven
Maybe there aint no hell
Maybe there aint no heaven
No burning hell
No
I’m going down to the cross roads
With no devil
Well I’ll make a deal
I’m going down to the cross roads
With no devil
Well I’ll make a deal
Maybe there aint no heaven
No burning hell
Maybe there aint no heaven
No burning hell
No
When I die
Where will I go>
When I die
Where will I go?
Somebody tell me
Somebody tell me
Somebody please tell me
Where will I go?
Maybe there aint no heaven
Maybe there aint no hell
No hell
No burning hell
Maybe there aint no heaven
Maybe there aint no hell
Maybe there aint no heaven
No burning hell
No
Makes me want to do a Clay Davis style “Sheeeeiiiit, that’s a damn fine song”. See how I combined two of the big loves* in my life in one sentence there? Heh.
The whole album is outstanding, couldn’t begin to pick a favourite track yet. But I’m doing plenty of research, listening to it practically non stop. I’ll get back to you a few months from now when I can decide.
* The Wire, not Clay Davis. Obviously…
Started watching the video.
Didn’t like it.
Shut my eyes.
LOVED it !
Oh – this album sounds incredible! I’ve just done a preview on Amazon using the MP3 samples and have ordered it on the back of the snippets that I heard! This is the music Tom Jones should always have been making – that voice was made for heartfelt blues! Really can’t wait to get my hands on this!
It really is a fantastic album and as you say Techy, his voice was made for this kind of music. But I think he’s ready for it now too, I can’t imagine him singing music like this 20 or 30 years ago. Anyway, you can listen to 6 of the tracks on his website to keep you going ’til the cd arrives.
I like this , my dad turned me into a Tom Jones fan when i was a kid
stll gets a birthday card from Tom Jones every year
simple drums and simple guitar great voice
sometimes the simple things are the best
just had a look on amazon and bought it cant wait to recive it
Me neither Bert – we’ll have to compare notes when we’ve all had a good listen. I also ordered Peter Green Live at Ronnie Scotts, Steppenwolf and The Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Weylon Jennings, Kris Kristoffersen and Willy Nelson supergroup) as well whilst I was on there….. going through a retro, guitary hankering at the moment.
When I first seen this post I thought, ‘oh oh, here we go, Mr D with his Welshman obsession. Whenever I think of Tom Jones (not very often I will admit) the first image that leaps to mind is the Vegas showbiz type carry on which I have no time for at all.
But, Mr D has gone to the effort of bringing the song to us so the least I can do is listen to it. And, surprise surprise, this song (I am with URD on the video bit) is actually quite good in its own little way. Not a patch on John Lee Hooker, but acceptable enough.
Then I followed LZ’s links to preview the album and – what a disappointment. The singing, to me anyway, sounded tired, cliched, lacking any real inspiration at all. Just far to ,um, Tom Jonesy for my liking.
I would still like to hear what he does to Nobody’s Fault But Mine, but not enough to go and spend hard earned wonga on it.
Guess that leaves me in a minority of one again does it?
Techy – you’re going to love the Peter Green one.This is probably The Splinter Group at their very tightest. Just wait till you hear their versions of Green Manalishi. And once they get going with the Robert Johnson section – wow!
And once you’ve fully digested it you can go and find the post on here from months ago where everyone was telling me that Clapton was the best at doing the Johnson stuff and just couldn’t get it when I persisted in naming Greeny as the man for the job. Once you’ve found it, you tell them, go on stick up for me (and Greeny).
Dear Spacey – how can you say “The singing, to me anyway, sounded tired, cliched, lacking any real inspiration at all” - Tom Jones can sneeze and sound inspirational.,
Hi Techy – then me thinks you will love the 3 mini mixes, as there’s plenty of retro guitary thingymybobs on them – first one to be posted next Tuesday (10th)
SP – I’ll certainly give you my opinion of Peter Green’s versions once I’ve heard them. It will be tough – I thought EC’s ‘Me & Mr Johnson’ was very good, but it lacked some of the rawness required. We all know Eric’s an incredible guitarist, but he’s so polished that it sometimes lacks the pure emotion of some other guitarists. That’s why I love Peter Green – awesome blues guitarist and a bit raw with it. Same as Chris Rea’s later stuff (especially the live album where he makes his guitar howl!)
LD – really looking forward to the next mini mixes in that case. I’ve just done a compilation for the car made up of (mostly) seventies rock music, with artists like Led Zeppelin, Free, The Who, Cream, Delaney & Bonnie, The Band etc etc – perfect for Summer!!