Like two friends of yours with slightly loose morals, there’s almost something inevitable about Tom Jones and Jools Holland ending up in musical bed together. However, unlike most such dalliances, this is one particular coupling that hints at a degree of longevity. Jones of course has made the collaboration something of a cliché over recent years but here manages to block out the memories of his woeful Loaded album. For the first time in a while he finds himself at the helm of material that suits his exuberant delivery, a collection of mostly blues and soul standards and obscurities. He still tends to over egg the pudding somewhat but who else could be relied on to bring the most out of lines such ‘I’m two hundred pounds of heavenly joy’ and ‘Gonna wake up my baby, tell her how I feel inside, I’m ready for my morning ride’. Holland meanwhile, for once steps slightly out of the spotlight and lets his piano playing do the talking.
He too finds huge inspiration in the songs, bashing his way through the collection with Jerry Lee Lewis style fervour. In fact, in a world where so often business and commercial concerns call the shots, it’s a joy to hear a record that really sounds like it was made for the sheer pleasure of it. If you find yourself currently embroiled in The Frames vs fans debate or buried in the nuances of the new Redneck Manifesto record this will likely mean nothing to you. That would be your loss and, do you now what, your dad will love it.