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Date: 2010.07.28 | Category: Reviews | Response: 0
Tom Jones: Praise & Blame
70-year-old Welsh singer, Tom Jones is amongst the world’s greatest living crooners. He emerged in the 1960s, releasing hits like “It’s Not Unusual”, “What’s New Pussycat?”, and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”. Since that time, he has consistently released albums. On his 39th studio album, Praise & Blame, Tom Jones departs from the pop-oriented sound that dominated his career and instead explores the barren world of gospel covers.
Let’s just get this out in the open, Praise & Blame is a cover album. The only song covered on the album that I had ever heard before was Bob Dylan‘s “What Good Am I?” When the most notable song covered on an album is a deep cut from Bob Dylan’s Oh Mercy, you know Tom Jones did some serious crate digging to make his selections.
The album’s lead single, “Did Trouble Me” is a cover of a Susan Werner tune. The track definitely shows off one genre explored on the album. The track is sparsely instrumented, instead letting Tom Jones’ soulful vocals shine on their own. Towards the end of the song an earthy combination of banjo and drums come in to accentuate the crescendo but do little to take away from Jones’ superior performance.
The other genre greatly explored on Praise & Blame is old time rock ‘n’ roll. “Strange Things” is a cover of 1940′s and 50′s gospel singer, Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The track shows off a Chuck Berry-esque guitar while still maintaining the same soulful feel as “Did Trouble Me”.
The album’s soulful nature and absolutely perfect song selection makes it an easy album to love. Although it may not be what fans expect of Tom Jones, it will probably be on the short list for Grammy nominations simply because the instrumentation, the vocal work, and song selection are absolutely perfect. Praise & Blame may be Jones’ crowning achievement.
Rating: 8.5/10
MP3: Tom Jones “Strange Things”
Buy: iTunes
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Date: 2010.07.28 | Category: News | Response: 0
Memphis’ Yo Gotti is preparing to release his fifth studio album, Live from the Kitchen sometime this year. But the “Cocaine Music” remix comes from his latest mixtape, Cocaine Muzik 4.5 (Da Documentary) which is hosted by DJ Drama. The track features Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, and The Clipse. Needless to say with all that talent, it is a banger. Enjoy!
MP3: Yo Gotti featuring Rick Ross, Young Jeezy and The Clipse “Cocaine Music (remix)”
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Date: 2010.07.28 | Category: News | Response: 1
Nelly is going to be releasing his sixth studio album, Nelly 5.0 in September. The album’s first single is “Tippin In The Club”. The track has a kind of Flo Rida dance feel. It is pretty fresh. Check it out.
MP3: Nelly “Tippin In The Club”
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Date: 2010.07.28 | Category: News | Response: 0
Ice Cube will release his ninth studio album, I Am the West on my birthday, September 28th. The album’s latest single is “Drink The Kool-Aid”. The track has a rock-tinged beat like an updated Run-D.M.C. joint. Check it out!
MP3: Ice Cube “Drink The Kool-Aid”
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Date: 2010.07.27 | Category: News | Response: 4
I rarely listen to terrestrial radio but this weekend I was at some cookouts and with the radio blaring I was inundated with Katy Perry‘s ridiculous single “California Girls”. So the timing is perfect for A B & the Sea to send me this wonderful cover of the song. The acoustic backbone of the song and the homage to The Beach Boys make this one of the best covers I have heard thus far this year. Check it out.
MP3: A B & The Sea “California Girls”
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Date: 2010.07.27 | Category: Reviews | Response: 0
Seu Jorge And Almaz: Seu Jorge And Almaz
I first became aware of Seu Jorge (as I am sure many of you did) from his role in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. The movie not only let Jorge show off his acting skills but also featured him doing acoustic Portuguese language covers of David Bowie songs. Because of this, Seu Jorge has attained a level of success in America many world artists will never near. On his latest album, Seu Jorge is backed by a band known as Almaz. The band consists of drummer Pupillo and guitarist Lucio Maia from Nacao Zumbi and composer/film scorer Antonio Pinto. The album is produced by Mario C who is best known for his work with The Beastie Boys.
The album’s music is for the most part Brazilian samba with tinges of rock and jazz mixed in. Although that may not sound like the most accessible genre to American ears, there are some signs that Jorge is moving his music more mainstream. Take for example the album’s first single, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”. You read correctly, the track title is in English as are the lyrics. The track has a smooth jazz beat accompanied by long lazy guitar strums and sustained keyboard notes. The track seems like Jorge’s attempt to make the essential summer track. It works to mixed results. The track reminds me of something G Love and Special Sauce might have done but with sloppier lyrics.
There are other hints of Jorge striving for a more mainstream appeal. He does an English version of Michael Jackson‘s “Rock With You”. On the cover, snaky guitars replace the disco chic creating what I imagine The Doors may have sounded like if Jim Morrison lived into the late 70s. It is an interesting listen to say the least.
Despite the steps to make his music more accessible, I still wonder what kind of market will be purchasing Seu Jorge And Almaz. The album will probably appeal to those fans of Brazilian samba/rock fusion but how much of the population is that? Sure, some fans of The Life Aquatic and City of God might find their way to the album but not enough to make a serious difference. Sadly, Jorge will probably again go unnoticed while producing a solid album.
Rating: 6.1/10
MP3: Seu Jorge And Almaz “Rock With You”
Buy: iTunes
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Date: 2010.07.27 | Category: News | Response: 1
North Carolina’s Sonic Truth just sent me a couple mash-ups. I think “Seduction on a Dream” is the most unique. The track is a mash up of Snoop Dogg and Empire of the Sun. What is unique is that the vocals are Empire of the Sun and the instrumental is Snoop Dogg. Let me know what you think.
MP3: Sonic Truth “Seduction On A Dream (Snoop // Empire Of The Sun)”
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Date: 2010.07.27 | Category: News | Response: 0
Last week I posted a remix of Linkin Park‘s latest single by Temabes. Before then, I had never heard of the Russian producer but I must admit I am pretty happy to have been introduces. The remix of Flo Rida‘s “Club Can’t Handle Me” is a dance explosion. Check it out.
MP3: Flo Rida “Club Cant Handle Me (Temabes Remix)”
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Date: 2010.07.26 | Category: News | Response: 0
I do not think it ever occurred to me someone would try to do an acoustic cover of (in my opinion) 2007′s best single, Justice‘s “D.A.N.C.E.” but that is exactly what has happened. Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly just released his new single “Morning Light” from his upcoming album. The single’s b-sides include this cover of “D.A.N.C.E.” Check it out!
MP3: Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly “D.A.N.C.E.”
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Date: 2010.07.26 | Category: News | Response: 0
Former Woods member, Christian DeRoeck is now leading Little Gold. The group just released their new 7″, “Completely Fucked!”. Now, anytime there is a swear in a song title I assume the song is gonna sound like Nashville Pussy or something but this is actually really fun indie pop. The tune is catchy and the energy is infectious. Enjoy!
MP3: Little Gold “Completely Fucked!”
