Two Of Jones Better Albums On One CD
Tom From Pgh | 01/18/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD comprises two Tom Jones albums, 1971's TOM JONES SINGS SHE'S A LADY and 1973's BODY & SOUL OF TOM JONES. LADY features a good mix of original compositions like "Till I Can't It No More" along with some of Jones better re-makes, particularly his version of Roy Orbison's "In Dreams". The album moves between adult contemporary, bluesy soul ("It's Up To The Woman"), mild country tinged pop ("One Night Only Love Maker") and manages to squeeze in some uptempo rock oriented material as well, including Jones overtly sexually tinged take on the Fifth Dimension's "Puppett Man" (a Top 40 hit fro Jones from this LP in the US) and of course the title track, which many people don't realize was Jones best selling single in the US.
BODY & SOUL actually finds the singer more into country music, a possible hint at where his music would eventually lead (Jones recorded almost exclusively country material in the late 70's through mid 80's and had multiple Top 40 hits on the US Country Charts during that time). The majority of the collection here are remakes, many of them older country standards, although with Jones involved you do get some R&B infused periodically. Among the covers, Jones excells on "If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Wanna Be Right", definately infusing some soul. He moves away from the country sound on covers of "Aint No Sunshine" and "Running Bear" as well, two more tracks that stand out among the rest.
Production values are good, there are no songs that sound as if Jones shouldn't have touched them (he usually had good taste in covers but every once in awhile he would do something that totally didnt't fit him) and both albums flow well from song to song. LADY is one of the singer's best selling US albums, one of 9 albums that were certified Gold for a million plus sales for Jones between 1967-1972. BODY is a lesser known release but stands up as well. Combined you get a good overview of the various types of music Tom Jones enjoyed, some rock, some country, some R&B, low key ballads, over the top power ballads, and of course lots of that instantly recognizable voice. All in all even a casual Tom Jones fan would enjoy this set."
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1