Praise & Blame

"My first introduction to Tom Jones' new album was his performance of the sweltering John Lee Hooker classic "Burning Hell" on Jools Holland, and with its cutting guitar hook, stomping beat and Tom's bluesman growl, I knew this would be something special.

An album of covers of gospel, blues, country and traditional songs, 'Praise & Blame' was co-created by alt-country's favourite producer Ethan Johns, and features Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings and Booker T (minus the MGs). Tom explains; "We wanted to go back to basics, go back to the source, it was just me singing live with a rhythm section... just get the song down in an entire take, capture the meaning of the song, its spirituality, its life, and capture that moment, right there. And I think that's what we've done."

What Tom Jones has done with 'Praise & Blame', is complete perhaps his finest work to date. What a way to celebrate turning 70 years old!"
- ERIN

"...it's a blistering album, at it's best when Jones and his band...cut loose."
- The Guardian (4 stars)

"few singers are going to emerge with an album as incredible as this in 2010."
- Mojo (4 stars)

"...the album still emphasises his powerful vocals, just in a more stripped back, salvation-seeking fashion."
- NME

"it's an extraordinary achievement..."
- The Independent (5 stars)