It’s a bit like the old Prince Albert in the can thing, maybe, but this just came across the mojo wire and I had to share. In part because it includes yet another cover of “Ain’t No Grave.” One of these days I’m going to spend a day listening to every version I have and try to figure out what it all means.
Meanwhile, I’m transfixed by the rehabilitation of yet another tired icon of the 1960s whose voice may and may not (I’ve not heard) ever have been worth listening to.
Following, then, is the press release.
But, really? Tom Jones? Really? And didn’t Ethan Johns do a few records with Ryan Adams? Is a duet possible? Oops. Maybe no snark. Gillian Welch is on this. Hell, it might be good.
LOST HIGHWAY TO RELEASE
PRAISE & BLAME, JULY 27TH
THE EXTRAORDINARY NEW ALBUM
FROM TOM JONES
JONES RECORDS RAW AND HONEST OFFERING
WITH PRODUCER ETHAN JOHNS
“…Tom Jones’s brilliant new album, ‘Praise and Blame’ is what his mighty voice is made for” – Evening Standard (UK)
“Jones delivers one of the albums of his career. This is classy stuff”
– Music Week (UK)
Nashville, TN – On July 27th, Lost Highway will release Praise & Blame, the extraordinary new album from the legendary Tom Jones. Jones has collaborated with producer Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon, Rufus Wainwright, Laura Marling) to release a captivating collection of songs drawn from the American spiritual, blues and contemporary repertoire. Praise & Blame is a stripped-down, gritty, soul-bearing album from an artist with a successful, multi-genre recording career that spans five decades.
Jones celebrated his 70th birthday on June 7 this year. One would never guess that he has reached such a milestone when hearing the power, restraint and clarity he presents in his renditions of songs by Susan Werner, Bob Dylan and John Lee Hooker. Traditional repertoire from the works of The Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe are also given unique, fervent interpretations by a world-renowned voice that is at the top of its game. This is Tom Jones as you’ve never heard him before.
Jones and producer/guitarist Johns recorded Praise & Blame in live sessions at Real World Studios in Bath, England with a small band that consisted of Johns on guitar, Jeremy Stacey on drums and Dave Bronze on bass. Guests include Booker T. Jones, BJ Cole and Gillian Welch.
To view Tom’s captivating performance of Bob Dylan’s “What Good Am I” on Later with Jools Holland go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3-2oAzJ_h0&feature=related
To view EPK footage of Tom Jones & Ethan Johns in the studio, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialTomJones
Tom Jones – Praise & Blame
Track Listing
1. “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 Knock”
8. “Nobody’s Fault But Mine”
9. “Didn’t It Rain”
10. “Ain’t No Grave”
11. “Run On”
