Tom Jones teams up with producer Ethan Johns (Laura Marling, Kings of Leon, Paulo Nutini, Rufus Wainwright) to release a remarkable new album on Island Records. Entitled 'Praise and Blame', the album is a captivating collection of songs drawn from the American spiritual repertoire. Tracks include interpretations of works by Susan Werner, Bob Dylan and John Lee Hooker, alongside takes on traditional songs previously rendered by the likes of The Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Tom and producer/player Ethan Johns lead a small band of players-drummer Jeremy Stacey and bassist Dave Bronze, through tracks that were recorded wholly live in singular performances at Real World Studios in Bath. Further guest contributions come from Booker T. Jones, Chris Holland, Gillian Welch and Orin Waters. 'Praise and Blame' is an evocative collection, with Tom going back to his roots on stripped down interpretations of gospel, blues, traditional and country songs, wearing his heart on his sleeve, emotionally raw and true. Tom has quite simply delivered his tour de force. It's him bearing his soul, singing from the heart, telling it like it is. June 7th (Tom's 70th birthday) brings on a taster of the forthcoming collection with a limited edition single comprised of John Lee Hooker's 'Burning Hell' coupled with Dylan's 'What Good Am I'.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. What Good Am I
2. Lord Help
3. Did Trouble Me
4. Strange Things
5. Burning Hell
6. If I Give My Soul
7. Don't Knock
8. Nobody's fault But Mine
9. Didn't It Rain
10. Ain't No Grave
11. Run On