Customer Reviews

Best of Tom Jones

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

All of his best sixties and seventies memorable hits classics are here like "What's New Pussycat?", "It's Not Unusual", "Deliah", "Thunderball" & "Kiss". It was originally released on Decca Records label in 1997associated with a company called Deram after 1998. By polygram's recent album compilation 'The Complete Tom Jones' now added with 22 tracks re-issued instead of twenty songs. Now i'm suprised it's digtally remastered. You'll won't be disapointed because this is the definitive ultimate CD your sure to enjoy for any casual listener!

Times change - and what goes in and out of style is often very subjective to the period of time we are in. While Tom did always maintain a core legion of fans - if you go back to the late 1970s and early 1980s and mention the name of Tom Jones, you probably would be laughed at. However if you went back to the 1960s, Tom Jones had an extremely devoted following. At the same time, it also seems that Tom Jones has somehow gone through a renaissance in the 2000s. People are now getting into Tom Jones again. It's not like there has been this great 1960s cultural renewal - it's just that Tom Jones music is suddenly come in today. Although this is a shot in the dark, one reason why I think that there is renewed interest in Tom Jones is because of the success that the "Austin Powers" movies had. Whatever it is, when I hear the sounds and music of Austin Powers - it immediately reminds me of Tom's music. One collection that a has a snapshot of Tom's work in the late 1960s and early 1970s is the collection, "The Best of Tom Jones".

I think there are several reasons for why Tom Jones can still have appeal in the 21st century. The main reason is Tom's unique baritone voice. Tom's vocals are some of the strongest in the music business. Whether its pop, dance - or even country and techno, Tom has always found the ability to adapt his style to many different music variants. Tom's music also has some very interesting sounds. One reason I can think of "Austin Powers" is because Tom's music and that movie's music have almost a psychedelic "pop sound". Finally, I think Tom's strength as a live performer has really helped to solidify his appeal. Tom's somewhat gregarious style on stage has made him one of the most frequent recipients of women's undergarments on stage - even today.

"The Best of Tom Jones" does a pretty good job at the content of the collection. It includes 21 classic tracks from 1965 through 1974 and also includes Tom's 1989 remake of Prince's "Kiss". I prefer my greatest hits collections to be in chronological order - this allows me to see how the artist has progressed over time. For the most part (with a few exceptions), "The Best of Tom Jones" comes pretty close to going in chronological order. One example of this is "Puppet Man" was released on the "She's a Lady" album, yet it is included after songs like "Letter to Lucille" and "The Young New Mexican Puppeteer" that were released after "Puppet Man". But for the most part, you can get a sense for how Tom progressed.

As far as Tom Jones collections go, there are most certainly no shortage of greatest hits collections. Here are some of the more popular ones:

- "20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Tom Jones": This only contains 12 tracks. All twelve of these tracks are included on "The Best of Tom Jones". This is not in chronological order.
- "Gold": This is a more comprehensive collection of Tom's hits. This is a two-CD collection containing 42 songs. It doesn't include the remake of "Kiss". It also is missing "Chills and Fever" and "Somethin Bout You Baby I Like".
- "Reloaded: Greatest Hits": A collection of 19 of Tom's hits that include duets with contemporary artists.
- "The Definitive Tom Jones 1964-2002": This is the most comprehensive Tom Jones collection out there. This is a Boxed Set that includes 93 tracks. This contains all of the songs from "The Best of Tom Jones" with the exception of "Somethin Bout You Baby I Like".
- "The Complete Tom Jones": This older collection contains 20 tracks. All of the songs on this collection with the exception of "Move Closer" are included on "The Best of Tom Jones".

Overall, while I still know there are more comprehensive collections than "The Best of Tom Jones", for the most part I was pleased. The collection offers some classic Tom Jones' tunes such as "It's Not Unusual" and "She's a Lady" (the latter is my favorite Tom song). This collection is one of the few to feature the song "Somethin Bout You Baby I Like". Although Tom did some "country" albums in the 1980s, this particular song demonstrated that Tom could actually adapt to a Country-Music style. I was also pleased by the inclusion of "The Young New Mexican Puppeteer" - for a guy from Wales, this song sure had a terrific Tex-Mex flair to it. Despite the inclusion of "Kiss", I'm a bit disappointed that some more of Tom's covers are not included - and most notably, I would have liked to see a few of Tom's live cuts included.

The liner notes for this collection are a mixed bag. On the positive side, there is a terrific 2-panel write-up that is listed as "An Extract from the Legend of Tom Jones Volume 1" This write-up basically chronicles the early part of Tom's career. I found this very informative. On the negative side, there is little in the way of credits. You aren't told when the songs were released, you aren't told about the studio musicians, the songwriting credits, and what albums the songs are from. There are also no lyrics - but with greatest hits collections, it is typical that they are not included. Overall, I'd look to see what the best value you can get for your money in terms of selecting a Tom Jones compilation. Based on this, you still may want to look at "Gold" or "The Definite Tom Jones" boxed set. However, this collection still stands solid on its own as being a Tom Jones compilation. It does a great job at capturing Tom's peak period - Highly Recommended.

The Best of Tom Jones is another excellent compilation of the best of Tom Jones' artistry. Wow, how that man can sing! The sound quality is excellent and I like that artwork!

"It's Not Unusual" starts the track set with one of Tom's earlier--and biggest--hits ever! Tom sings this with a lot of passion, heart and soul. His excellent diction and an uncanny sense of timing make this a huge hit for Tom Jones! "Chills And Fever" sounds very `60s; and this works well when Tom belts this one out with some help from a female chorus! Excellent!

"Green, Green Grass Of Home" has a country twist to it; the ballad is very pretty and the music that accompanies Tom really fits perfectly for his lyrics. This is very impressive. In addition, listen for Tom to wail out "What's New Pussycat?" from the film of the same name. Tom delivers this with a lot of warmth; and he sings with all his might to make this a very memorable number. "Not Responsible" features Tom singing a song about love with a "hip and happening" musical beat that shines strong!

"(It Looks Like) I'll Never Fall In Love Again" is a more tender ballad that Tom massages with his fine voice; and "Delilah" is a mighty awesome ballad even if some say it IS politically incorrect. "Delilah" was a huge hit for Tom and just listen tells you why--it's great! "Without Love (There Is Nothing)" has a spoken piece by Tom; and when he breaks into song this number takes off like a jet! Tom sings this especially well.

"She's A Lady" is easily a major highlight of this album; it was always a huge hit for Tom. "The Young New Mexican Puppeteer" isn't exactly my very favorite Tom Jones number; but he does sing this well and I appreciate that. "Puppet Man" is a better ballad that features Tom singing his heart out with a very solid backup group of lady singers.

The CD also ends very well with Tom doing a great job on "Kiss." "Kiss" is a Prince tune that Tom tackles--and he succeeds! Tom's voice and his talents make this a strong ending for this CD.

Tom Jones fans will enjoy this album; and this is also a great CD for people just becoming familiar with Tom Jones and his art. Enjoy!

The back cover photo of this hits album, originally from his "Live at Caesar's Palace" LP, nearly tells the story. Jones, wearing a Roman tunic and blank stare while holding a wine goblet, is surrounded by lovely ladies.

You can't take it seriously. The same is true of these performances, where Jones' overwhelming voice finds its nuances in the wink wink, nudge, nudge self-satire of his delivery.

Good songs make it entertaining and worth it, and Jones had an uncanny knack for picking them. He specialized in dramatic narratives and tragic endings (in the country-soul "Green, Green Grass of Home" and the mariachi-flavored "Delilah," he lost the girl.) He sang over-the-top about over-the-top emotions: heartbreak (the soul covers "I Who Have Nothing" and "Without Love") and lust (the CD's worst tracks, "Help Yourself" and "Love Me Tonight," are about as Austin Powers as it gets.) "The Best of Tom Jones" plays much like the dinner buffets enjoyed in Jones' second home, Las Vegas: generous portions, solid main dishes, a little cheese for flavor, all delivered with flash and style. But still all in all, delicious and filling.

One in a long line of recently released "Best Of" collections, this 22 song compilation focuses on Tom Jones hit singles, paying little attention to album cuts. That in itself isn't really bad, although it means some songs considered "less quality" than others gain inclusion. All of the "standard hits" are included, such as "It's Not Unusual", "What's New Pussycat?", "She's A Lady", "Delilah", "Green,Green Grass Of Home", "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", and "Without Love (There Is Nothing)". These of course were Top 10 or Top 20 hits in both the states and in England. Some memorable Jones songs such as "Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow" (#15 US Singles Charts, 1977) are not included. Still, as with most of the Tom Jones "Best Ofs" out there curently, there are a handful of songs not often carried on CD accompanied by a slew of hit singles almost always available. At the very least, this a good collection of notable hit singles.

This brings back all the times I was sitting if front of the TV watching Tom Jones on his show--it has been fun to listen to these songs....

The mesmerizing sixties literally worked out as smart vehicles of promotion for many promising and consolidated stars.

During the early sixties, Elvis Presley triumphed all along the world with his successful songs and his incursions in the cinema.

On the other hand, Frank Sinatra who was well aware the power of the mass media (in fact he began in the previous decade with From here to the eternity and The man with the golden arm) enhanced himself in the middle sixties, his golden decade (Strangers in the night, The world we knew, My way) and his marvellous performance in Von Ryan's express.

From Gales, a very young and athletic powerful voice appeared on stages. Tom Jones displayed his enviable charisma (with his own personal show with prominent guest stars) and established a very peculiar style.

The genial idea of performing the soundtrack of Thunderball was if I may the perfect vehicle for his whole diffusion all over the world. Since then, his voice and inimitable style has been achieved a colossal status among the greatest voices of the last century.

This compilation is just a little approach to his fruitful career. To my view the whole collection of his greatest singles would deserve two albums, but this is another point of reflection.

Don't miss this marvellous CD.

Jones is an absolute dynamo -- the last best thing out of Wales (after Dylan Thomas, Stanley Baker and Richard Burton). "Thunderball" is, to my mind, the best James Bond title song, and NO ONE could have delivered it the way Tom does. And who else could make "What's New Pussycat?" sound anything but ridiculous? Tom actually manages to make it energetic, hot, tender and sincere -- all at once. The sexual excitement of "Chills and Fever" is thrilling in its campy way, and you'll find yourself singing "It's Not Unusual" around the house before too long. Not every tune is a winner, but with so much to choose from, who cares? Knock 'em dead and keep on singing, Tom!

I go back When Tom Jones had a neat string of hits. With Gordon Mills who was at the helm as his producer. A Great team. Great music, This CD has Lots of Toms best, It earned five stars,

The songs on this cd are simply the best music from one of the great vocalists of our time. Tom Jones' talent and unique ability is evident on every track. These are great songs, sung by a master singer. The compilation is imbued with the soul, funk, and sheer beauty of Jones' vocal renditions. I bought this from a store for $4.99 a great bargain for an amazing set.