1965 Tom Jones: It's Not Unusual

A common point of reference or touchstone for Jones throughout the sixties was with 'rival' Elvis Presley. That the Jones boy can sing there's no doubt, but whilst Presley had the innate talent to be able to bend virtually any song to his bidding and cross genres with ease, Tom's problem has always been a complete lack of self awareness of when to put the lid on the camp and rein in his bellow. With everything he's ever given to sing, be it upbeat soul or downbeat ballads, the one constant is always the sweaty enthusiasm he delivers them all; Jones has always been a one shot, all or nothing kind of guy who never holds down a note for a second when he can hold it for ten. When it works, it works well ('Delilah', 'What's New Pussycat', 'Help Yourself' etc), but when it doesn't it's horrid.

Unlike Presley, Jones didn't launch on record from an early 'rock & roll' phase and 'It's Not Unusual' arrives in fully formed Vegas mode with a sequinned horn swing, arms pumping groove that's as brash and showy as a fistful of sovereign rings. But then again, I guess it needed something upfront because no matter how many times I listen to 'It's Not Unusual', I never gain any insight in to just what Jones is on about; "It's not unusual to be loved by anyone. It's not unusual to have fun with anyone. But when I see you hanging about with anyone, it's not unusual to see me cry, oh I wanna' die." Errm, right. Not that this spoils its enjoyment to any extent, but it does reveal 'It's Not Unusual' to be a gaudy bauble hanging on the plastic Christmas tree of Jones' gutsy charisma, making the end product more copycat tat than original class. But maybe I'm the wrong sex to really appreciate.