IN THE NEWS:
Paul McCartney, Elton John and a large list of famous people with "Sir" or "Dame" affixed before their names have signed on to fete Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee celebration in June.
Iconic Welsh crooner Tom Jones is still going strong as he struts through his fifth decade of performing. The hip-swiveling 72 year old is on the road in support of his most recent studio set, "Praise & Blame," and hoping to deliver up something of a religious experience.
Testifying requires a substantial amount of faith. Not just in the person delivering "the news," but in the audience; they need to feel the message in their bones, and if it does not penetrate the soul, it's clearly artificial. Tom Jones, the Welsh hip-swinger who has spent his five-decade career connecting with Saturday night desires, puts his faith in Sunday-morning preaching on "Praise & Blame" and delivers a convincing effort; he may soon have some converts.
Tom Jones
"Praise & Blame"
(Lost Highway)
