Tom Jones' interpretation of Leonard Cohen's 'Tower Of Song'

[bridger15]

If you're outside of the UK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWnzSCo0mWs

Thanks to sirp2000 for your post and to Hartmut for the outside UK link.
I like Tom Jones and have for years. But, I was disappointed with this rendition.
I found it lacking musical shading. It was too monotonic.
---Arlene

[Joan]

My honest opioion.....I saw it last night on MTV and I don't like it at all.
It actually made me cringe.
The lines with 'my hair is grey' and 'a golden voice' struck me as pandering to his own ego.
I'd be happy to never hear this version again - it merely spoils the Leonard memories in my head, and in my heart.
Regards, Joan.

[burningviolin]

I found it lacking musical shading. It was too monotonic.
---Arlene

I know Arlene, it is certainly lacking in the 'du dum dums' department I was afraid that he was going to turn it into a big band/swing gospel, belting it out type number so all in all it's not too bad!

[jackiet]

Not a huge fan of this cover because I love Leonard's so much. In Tom's defence/defense, he was a guest on Dermot O'Leary's show today and played it live and he did say how much he admired Leonard's songwriting and said he wished he could write as well as him as he would have written this song as the lyrics were so appropriate to him..."my friends have gone and my hair is grey.............."

[Pete]

It was played on BBC Radio 2 today - I didn't like it.

[Jody]

I saw Tom do this live 1 year ago and was totally blown away. I always sort of liked Tom but his live performance was truly awesome.
He did the old stuff then the new album.
Blurs and gospel.

At 80 years old he is on the top of his game.