Jazz Pop Rock

Tom Jones: “What’s New Pussycat?” and “Sex Bomb”

Sex Bomb (above) is perhaps the most bizarre recording I’ve even seen. The skeevy lyrics, the apparently well coached informerical-like audience and the fact that the song and Jones’ delivery both are terrific add up to a level of awesomeness that is hard match.

Tom Jones actually is Thomas John Woodward, which now is preceded by “Sir.” His stage name was taken from the movie Tom Jones, which was a filming of The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. Written in 1749 by Henry Fielding, it is considered the first novel in the English language.

Years ago, I was a reporter in the cable industry (I am again, but in a different way). Cable, because of the entertainment industry connections, has big time performers at its shows (Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Charles and Chuck Berry come to mind). It’s an easy payday for these folks, especially if the show is not too far away.

One year, Tom Jones was the headline act. Many of my cynical reporter friends went to see him as a joke. We were raised on rock and roll. Tom Jones? Isn’t he the guy that the old ladies throw their underwear at? Please.

The next morning, more than one person told me that it was the most extraordinary performance they ever saw, and that Jones simply wouldn’t leave the stage because he was having so much fun. And this was for a bunch of cable people…

While I’m on the topic, one of my fondest memories is of seeing Ray Charles at a cable show in Atlanta. The sponsoring network rented and closed The Hard Rock for the party. I got there early and, low and behold, Ray came out and started playing. It was early and there was virtually nobody else there. It was incredible. Charles opened with Charlie Parker’s “Yardbird Suite,” one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, period. That made the whole thing even better.

Our New Things: Links to Music Sites and Info on Analog Tech and Vinyl

TDMB has focused on music and musicians. We will continue to do that, of course. We're also expanding our coverage to include vinyl and analog equipment.

More specifically, we'll look at this huge and interesting world from the perspective of music lovers who want a better experience, not committed non-audiophiles.

Check out is some of what we've written so far:

-- Assessing the Value of Vinyl Records: An Overview

-- 7 Quick Tips on Optimizing Your Turntable Cartridge

-- Why Vinyl Records Continue to Thrive

-- Finding the Best Amplifier

-- Finding the Best Phono Preamp

-- What Speakers Do I Need for My Turntable?

Check out more articles on analog equipment and vinyl.

The site also is home to The Internet Music Mapping Project, an effort to list and describe as many music-related sites as possible.

Our Music

--A Tribe Called Quest to The Dick Hyman Trio (In other words, A to H)

--Indigo Girls to Queen Ida (I to Q)

--Radiohead to ZZ Top (R to Z)

Reading Music

The stories of the great bands and musicians are fascinating. Musicians as a group are brilliant, but often troubled. The combination of creativity and drama makes for great reading.

Here are some books to check out.

Duke Ellington brought class, sophistication and style to jazz which, until that point, was proudly unpolished and raucous. His story is profound. The author, Terry Teachout, also wrote "Pops," the acclaimed bio of Louis Armstrong. Click here or on the image.

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What else is there to say? Here is the story behind every song written by The Beatles. Click here or on the image.

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The Grateful Dead don't get enough credit for the profound nature of its lyrics. Many of the band's songs are driven by a deep and literate Americana ("I'm Uncle Sam/That's who I am/Been hidin' out/In a rock and roll band" and "Majordomo Billy Bojangles/Sit down and have a drink with me/What's this about Alabama/Keeps comin' back to me?").

David Dodd's exhaustive study tells the story, song by song. Click here or on the image.

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