No sign of retiring

You say seventy is the dawn of the career? You say seventy is the time to go have some rest? You say seventy is when you are getting ready for the afterlife? Well, in many cases, yes. But Tom Jones is not one of those many cases, because this man is a manifestation of originality, individuality and superiority. Just think about it: the first studio CD from the Welsh superstar was released in 1966. After these forty five years, Tom Jones is still full of ideas, confident in himself and admired by multitudes. On the stage, the Wales-born singer, who, by the way, is a long-time Californian citizen, strikes with his broadest smiles and drives crazy those girls who rather look like his grand daughters with his glances. The artist’s freshest album, Praise & Blame, according to the overwhelming expectations, is going to be a big event in the popular music world. Fashion and music market conditions have on many occasions pushed Jones to change the course and try new genres and styles. However, no matter what music sounds in the background, you will recognize this voice. So, what is it going to be this time?

Frank and emotional talk to oneself and listeners

If you have got forty five years of a successful musical career, it is your well-deserved right to choose for your new album any topic you want and stick to any manner or intonation you prefer to speak about it. Because nobody will have anything to say to reprimand you. Yet everyone will listen to it and savor it. What Good Am I? – this is the question that became the title of the album’s opener, the question Tom Jones begins Praise & Blame with. The person this song is about refuses to become like everybody else; and the listener is quick to understand that Jones is singing about himself as he puts this question to himself. While the first song’s music is reduced to section of bass and drums, the following piece, Lord Help, is rich enough in instruments and forms a bluesy foundation for the voice. The third track, Did Trouble Me, is again religious in its lyrics, yet it is on the soul or spiritual side of we talk about music. The same category is represented by number four, Strange Things. It is followed by the most attractive songs off the album, Burning Hell, lyrically and emotionally close to hard rock, and amazingly touching and sincere If I Give My Soul. The rest of the set are blues or gospel tracks, including the final piece, Run On. This one has been performed by a big number of established singers. Tom Jones made a good version of his own supported by a nice guitar riff.

Jones’ experience and voice are the keys to the success of Praise & Blame

For the last twenty years, Tom Jones, has, seemingly, distanced himself deep into the pop-music domain. Simple melodies with anticipated arranging and light-minded lyrics gained attractiveness as soon as Tom Jones got down to them with all his charisma and talent. He quickly and easily adjusted to the new surroundings and became an integral part of this system so that his blues, rock and country music past looked like someone’s dream. Nevertheless, two years ago, the singer declared his intention to come back to where it all started with his long player called 24 Hours full of nostalgia. Now, we are about to taste Praise & Blame with blues and gospel on top of everything. This traditional and widely loved music of South states of America is very emotional and entirely based on singing. The success of this music depends on how fully and vividly the singer conveys the feelings and experiences of the lyrical character, on how deeply the singer penetrated into the character’s inner world. Tom Jones has an immense experience, unbounded talent and gigantic desire to sing. If he had not got them, he would have vanished off the stage many years ago. Praise & Blame allows you to believe that this is not the maestro’s last effort.

Alex Bartholomew
10.08.2010