Record boss slams Tom Jones’ new album
Written by admin on July 5, 2010 – 9:46 pm -| Sir Tom Jones’ latest album, “Praise and Blame,” is making headlines before it is even released, due to a critical mauling by an executive at his record company.
The leaked email from Island Records’ vice-president, David Sharpe, called for colleagues to shelve the project or “get my money back.” Island signed Sir Tom from EMI for £1.5m last year. |
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Sharpe’s email said:
| “Imagine my surprise when I walked into the office this morning to hear hymns coming from your office – it could have been Sunday morning. My initial pleasure came to an abrupt halt when I realised that Tom Jones was singing the hymns! I have just listened to the album in its entirety and want to know if this is some sick joke????” |
| “We did not invest a fortune in an established artist for him to deliver 12 tracks from the common book of prayer. Having lured him from EMI, the deal was that you would deliver a record of upbeat tracks along the lines of Sex Bomb and Mama Told Me…” |
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“Praise and Blame” is an album of gospel-inspired tracks, produced by Ethan Johns, who is fresh from working with Kings Of Leon.
The two tracks that have been released already from the album, “What Good Am I?” and “Burning Hell,” suggest that Sharpe really has little to worry about. Both feature Jones in great voice and have simple, uncluttered and very appealing arrangements. Jones benefits from Johns’ pared back production style. |
Here’s a performance of “What Good Am I?” from Tom’s appearance on “Later With Jools Holland” in May:
Sharpe is apparently sticking by his assessment of the album, but there’s no such thing as bad publicity right?
Fans in the UK can watch a documentary on Tom Jones tomorrow night on BBC1. “Jones the Voice” is part of the Imagine series and airs from 10:35pm – 11:35pm.
“Praise and Blame” will be released on July 26 in the UK and July 27 in the US.
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Tom Jones- Praise & Blame (CD) |
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Tags: Praise and Blame, Tom Jones, What Good Am I?
Posted in British Invasion, New releases |
