Customer Reviews

Carrying a Torch

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This 1991 CD contains four tracks written and produced by Van Morrison, among them the title track is my fave one; Terry Britten , Graham Lyle and Albert Hammond provide some uptempo songs; "Do I Ever cross Your Mind" is a beautiful ballad as well as one of the highlights of the album "Couldn't Say Goodbye" written by Albert Hammond and the nearly always reliable Diane Warren, who during late 80s and early 90s was in one of her peak periods as a hitmaker. There are some songs that could have been replaced by better choices, the rest is good material for the powerful voice of Tom Jones, one of the living legends of Rock'n'roll.

Tom Jones's singing on this album elevates the songs by sinking deep roots. Van Morrison singing his own song Carrying a Torch sounds a little formulaic; he's a little boring on Some Peace of Mind, and on I'm Not Feeling It Anymore, he sounds well, a little disengaged and complainy. The Waterboys' Mike Scott singing Strange Boat sounds - to my ears today, I loved that song twenty years ago or so - a little fey, a little too adolescent and maudlin. But on this album, Tom Jones singing those same songs makes them feel full-bodied; you feel them in your guts instead of your head. The playing and arrangements and background vocals are also good. It's all about the singer and the song. What a treat!