Tom Jones And Jools Holland - Tom Jones & Jools Holland > Reviews > what's new pussycat - this album

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	Jools Holland and the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Disadvantages:	Tom Jones' vocals in a few tracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The most unlikely collaboration of "sex bomb" Tom Jones, with the piano toting masterclass of Jools Holland produces inspired results.

Tom Jones for the people unaware of him is one of the most famous singers to come out of Wales alongside the great Shirley Bassey. In a career spanning over 40 years he has sold millions of records and captured the hearts of middle aged women. Recognisable by all from songs like "What's new pussy cat" , "It's not unusual" and most recently "Sex Bomb" it seems the guy won't go away. But who would want him to if he's still churning out the records with his weapon of choice, that overpowering and discernible voice.

Jools Holland has been one of the best British pianists for years and along with his rhythm and blues orchestra can be seen touring round the country. Jools Holland is also a renowned presenter of music programmes. In the 1980's he presented the influential late night music programme "The Tube" with the late Paula Yates. Now he can be seen on his own friday night show "Late night with Jools Holland" and showcasing his musical talents in Bells Whiskey advertisements. Now the unlikely combination of two great musicians has resulted in one of the best collaborations for years, fittingly titled "Tom Jones & Jools Holland".

This album is distinctly different from anything you have heard from Tom Jones from recent songs like Sex Bomb to the classic tales of the green green grass of home. The album is more the style you would expect to hear from the rhythm and blues orchestra of Jools Holland but it works better than expected.

1-Lifes Too Short - The first and the most important song of the album, a requisite for grabbing the attention of the listener begins with a bluesy up tempo piano solo that succeeds. The powerful and distinctive voice of Tom Jones kicks in and surprisingly the combination of authoritative vocals and adept backing from the piano of Jools Holland works well. And once the drums from the orchestra come in you find your feet creating the tapping motion only enforced during great songs. Accompanied with gospel style backing vocals this is the established beginning to this album. It also gives you an idea that the piano playing is one of the dominating factors in the quality of the album. Probably one of the most catchy melodies in the album this is typical Jools Holland style piano playing at its best.

2-200 Lbs Of Heavenly Joy - A more rock and roll style introduction which leads onto the sultry style vocals from Tom Jones. This track is dominated more by the talent of the rhythm and blues orchestra rather than the seductive tone of Tom Jones. Not particularly a catchy song in terms of lyrics but the orchestrial solo near the end really sell the song. The lyrics on this song aren't upto scratch on this track while I also feel that the vocals of Tom Jones don't fit the song.

3-Good Morning Blues - Another up tempo intro from the orchestra and Jools Holland which has made them famous. This song is the most catchy yet and compliments the powerful vocals of Tom Jones. A rated improvement with a hint of swing at the end by the orchestra which is really easy to get int. The swing solo in this song being one of the more memorable moments in the album. Lyrically the song is minimal and more directed at an approach of swing or big band style intrumentals.

4-It'll Be Me - Yet again an up tempo track with an intro resembling the soundtrack of a Charlie Chaplin movie. The tempo of the blend of drums and piano make the melody of the song incredibly catch and is one of those foot grooving moments. The charismatic charm and dynamic vocals of Mr Jones compliments the intrumental of the orchestra. With a fast beginning it progresses even more leading to awesome accompaniment with the electric guitar.

5-Whole will the next fool be - A more soulful ballad track beginning slowly with the intro of drums and piano. This song features more lyrically than the previous tracks with more enduring vocals from Tom Jones. The track slightly resembles a trademark Tom Jones tune but has a slight hint of Aretha Franklin inspired vocals from Tom Jones. One of my favourite tracks on the album because Tom Jones is vocally more involved.

6-Linda Lu - A slightly more up tempo track from the previous. The song progresses slowly and reaches the peak halfway through the song but is slightly weak vocally compared to the last. The instrumental of the orchestra slightly lack in the first half of the song but begin to pick up as the last half progresses. The song isn't incredibly strong and easily forgettable.

7-St James Infirmary Blues - One of the best tracks on the album if not the best. The song begins as if you're listening to that horrible Gary Glitter song "rock and roll part 2" with the drum and clapping intro. It then progresses to a swing style introduction that you would hear in a classic James Bond movie. The piano then jumps in and Tom Jones is on the blues trail again. A reminiscence of Ray Charles occurs with a trumpet and horn intrumental resembling "Hit the Road Jack" this works very well with the strong vocals of Tom Jones. The swing style aspect of the song really sells it to me as it is one of my favourite genres.

8-Odd Man Out - A saloon style piano intro and yet again an up tempo track. A more lyrically accomplished song along with varied style backing vocals that have a hint of Bohemian rhapsody. Not particularly a fitting song for the vocals of Tom Jones and the intrumentals only begin to establish itself near the end of the track.

9-Roberta - An up tempo rock and roll song you wouldn't tire of watching Elvis the Pelvis jig to. The vocals and instrumentals are equally as good and the song creates an image in your mind of a 50's style American diner. One of the most memorable songs on the album whereby Tom Jones has a hint of Elvis in his voice though they were good friends before he died so it wouldn't surprise me if Elvis's style was highly influencial in the way Tom Jones approached the song.

10-Baptism by fire - A motown style r&b ballad with a despondent style of intrumentals. Tom Jones approaches the song vocally more soulful and is supported well by the gospel backing vocals. The lyrics in this song are probably better than in the previous songs on the album. Vocally the song is more conspicuous due to Tom Jones' souful delivery.

11-Think - Yet again another rock and roll style blues intro which tends to seem similar to previous up tempo tracks on the album. The backing vocals are distinctly average as opposed to the quality in previous tracks. I would have much preferred a cover of Aretha Franklin - Think than this song. The song is particularly bland vocally and not even the whirlwind instrumentals can save it.

12-Hanging Up My Heart For You - The title sums it up pretty nicely, a soulful ballad. Vocally the song is delivered more softly like an Al Green song with credible low notes and slight hint of soul.

13-Mess of Blues - A slightly up tempo beat to it with minimalistic range from Tom Jones' vocals. One of the more bland songs on the album and easily the worst.

14-Sally Suzas - Rock and roll intro with charismatic intrumentals. The style of song the hip cats in the 1950's diners would have danced to but then stopped half way through to let the OAP's decide to dance during the swing accompaniment in the last half of the song. The song progresses nicely and varies alot between a rock and roll style and big band. One of the nicest style combinations which fortunately work effectively and make the song memorable.

15-My Babe - A track similar to Odd Man Out with weak intrumental accompaniment. Like 1 or 2 songs the intrumentals finally begin to pick up half way through the song. Whereas the vocals on this track equally aswell as the lyrics are disappointing.

16-Slow Down - A rock and roll style affair with an up tempo feel to it. The song gradually begins to remind you of the rock and roll classic "rock around the clock". Tom Jones attempts to be more fierce with his vocals but is easily outshone by the intrumentals yet again.

17-Glory Love - A slow ballad with piano accompaniment. Tom Jones croons in this song but to no avail. The song is slightly too slow and bland for my liking.

18-Mam and Dads Waltz - With an intro reminiscent of an image of the American depression the song is a slow song with Tom Jones crooning yet again. The piano accompaniment at times resembles a cowboy style saloon.

19-End of the Road - The song is yet again up tempo dominated by the materclass of the rhythm and blues orchestra. The vocals from Tom Jones just don't fit into the song which lets down the quality of the accompaniment.

The album begins with alot of potential but near the end starts to disappoint vocally and instrumentally. For avid Tom Jones fans this would be a reasonable purchase for the sake of the quality of the instrumentals by the rhythm and blues orchestra backing the voice that stole their hearts. For people looking for the typical Jools Holland sound then this should be nothing new and will probably satisfy you enough. For the sake of being inquisitive people who have little contact with the music of Tom Jones or Jools Holland you'll be pleasantly surprised with the outcome in many songs.