This is why Tom Jones is so great.
12/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you've heard Tom Jones sing and love the sound but can't take the Vegas schmaltz, this is the album to get. Tom can sing anything with anyone: he growls, he soars, he hits notes that a man his age (sorry, Tom) has no damn business hitting. I read an interview with Tom years ago where he said that he thinks his continuing success comes from knowing when to "take the pee out of yourself" (which translates to "make fun of yourself" in American English). I think that that's how he can pull off asides like "T.J.'s in the house with phat beats from the streets." ("Something for your head") Don't be frightened -- he wisely stops short of actually rapping. From soulful, melty ballads like "I wanna get back with you" to the self-esteem anthem "I don't think so" ("failure wants to play tapes in your head -- will you just lay there in your bed? No, I don't think so!") this album shows off the incredible range of a truly talented vocalist to whom stereotyping has not been quite fair. If you really need Tom's particular brand of charming smarm, there's "Show Me," and if you get halfway through "Lift me Up" without becoming the backup singer you always know you could be, well, you have more restraint than I. Check this out -- it ain't Delilah!"
A different Tom Jones....
Sonja King | Shepparton, Victoria, Australia | 10/27/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album starts off with a roar (literally) with "If I Only Knew", a song that perfectly highlights the fantastic power in Tom's voice. The rest of the album is a strange collection of songs, many nothing like fans of traditional Tom Jones would be used to hearing. There are some great tracks with the typical Jones voice in full flight - I particularly like "Changes" the last song featured. I enjoy this album for the variety it offers and the fact that it moves right away from the "cabaret style" on many of Tom's greatest hits. Besides, the cover has one of the best shots of Tom in a mesh singlet I've ever seen! Worth buying."
Go Tom Go!
K. C. Collins | Tucson, AZ USA | 01/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is such a fun album. I play this loud while I work around the house, it gives me energy to jump arond like I was 25 again. Does Tom ever age?"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1