Release Date: 26/07/2010Label: Universal Island Records
Tom Jones teams up with producer Ethan Johns to release a remarkable new album. Entitled ‘Praise and Blame’, the album is an intriguing collection of songs drawn from the American spiritual repertoire.
Tracks include interpretations of works by Susan Werner, Bob Dylan and John Lee Hooker, alongside takes on traditional songs previously rendered by the likes of The Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Tom and producer/player Ethan Johns lead a small, crack band through tracks that were recorded wholly live in singular performances at Real World Studios in Bath. ‘Praise and Blame’ is an evocative collection of songs, with Tom going back to his roots on stripped down interpretations of gospel, blues, traditional and country songs, wearing his heart on his sleeve, emotionally raw and true.