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Product Description
Review
This gospel and blues set is the back to basics gambit from Sir Tom. It’s worked for Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond in the past, this stripping of vogues to expose the singer’s raw talent: perversely, it endeared both to younger audiences. Yet Jones is a different entity: his charm was never based on authenticity. In his early career he shifted his pelvis and hollered cracking pop songs, and even his big weepy ballads were knowingly camp. His comeback period – dreamed up by his son/manager – was all irony and winks, targeted at hen parties not critics. Blessed with a soulful voice, he made an unveiled Faustian pact long ago.
Thus a move that should by rights be applauded and affecting – this is, after all, a 70-year-old singing, often, about death – doesn’t come off. It’s a gauche mix of church and the rock’n’roll chestnuts he grew up on. Outside Robert Plant, it’s hard to see who it’ll appeal to. A sincere reimagining of more arch songs – like Cash doing Hurt – would have grabbed our throats and hearts. This, though, is an old fella singing songs that mean little to anyone outside his generation. It’s like hearing war stories from wizened veterans: you should, by any moral compass, be impressed and attentive, but the guilty, undeniable truth is... you’re a little bored.
Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon, Paolo Nutini) produces – minimally – and guests include Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings and BJ Cole. Songs were recorded live and Tom relishes tackling the gothic-religious strains of Dylan’s What Good Am I and the bluesy tropes of John Lee Hooker’s Burning Hell. He’s no slouch barking Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s Strange Things or Mahalia Jackson’s Didn’t It Rain. He means it, sure. Yet these songs were what those people did, and Tom Jones is best at doing something else. Tom without flash is like The Wizard of Oz without a curtain. If you seek proof that he can cut it, and will live forever, look at moments in his scrapbook like I’ll Never Fall in Love Again or I’m Coming Home, not here.
--Chris RobertsFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Product Description
titolo-praise & blameartista-tom jones etichetta-island-n. dischi1data-27 luglio 2010supporto-cd audiogenere-pop e rock internazionale---------brani1.what good am i? 2.lord help 3.did trouble me 4.strange things 5.burning hell 6.if i give my soul 7.don't
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Praise & Blame,
By
This review is from: Praise & Blame (Audio CD)
This is a wonderful album right through, mixing styles from blues and gospel. It is a significant step away from the recent output of pop songs and radio-friendly collaborations; Praise & Blame captures Tom in full-blown singer mode, rather than entertainer. Indeed, his voice sounds magnificent throughout the album.
The comparisons to Johnny Cash are understandable as there are hints of the American Recordings in the choice of song and also vocal performances; there is a timbre and gravitas to Tom's voice that, while not quite as good as Cash in his later years, really shows his voice off in a way that perhaps his more recent albums don't. This album too is at times introspective like the American Recordings, particularly on the opening track, a cover of Dylan's 'What Good Am I?' or 'Did Trouble Me' where Jones explores questions of mortality. However, I would suggest that the style is more similar to 'Raising Sand' by Alison Krauss & Robert Plant. Blues and country mixes well with the occasional gospel songs on the album, and the tracks move swiftly and comfortably from plaintive ballads to scintillating blues numbers. There is not a weak song on the album and producer, Ethan Jones, is incredibly understanding with the arrangements, more often than not going with 'less is more'. Tom Jones sounds like he is having a lot of fun on this album and it makes for an incredibly enjoyable listening experience. I hope that this is an indication of his future direction as he enters his 8th decade. Praise & Blame is highly recommended and while the songs are all covers, Tom makes them very much his own.
34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic,
By
This review is from: Praise & Blame (Audio CD)
I've just come back from Latitude Festival where Tom Jones sang the songs from this album backed by the band on the album. Let me tell you, his voice is incredible, moving, resonating, powerful, soulful and beautiful. I'm pre-booking the album and I'm really looking forward to getting it. Can I just qualify this by saying I'm not a knicker throwing Tom Jones fan and I don't have his back catalogue. Highly recommended, five stars doesn't do it justice.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a superb surprise,
By
This review is from: Praise & Blame (Audio CD)
Heard Tom Jones sing one of the tracks on Jools and thought, wow, this is a bit different. Bluesy and gospel mix. It's stripped back, raw and heartfelt - Tom Jones doing songs that he wants to do. Production is great. Ethan Jones getting the balance just right and letting the voice come through. In fact EJ playing guitar on most of the album. Tom Jones is to be applauded for putting this album out and lets hope it's the first of many. There have been the odd tracks over the years I have liked but never been compelled to buy. Now things have changed. More please, more !!!
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