I Who Have Nothing - TOM JONES***

Daughter Of Darkness/I Have Dreamed/Love's Been Good To Me/Lodi/Try A Little Tenderness/I (Who Have Nothing)/What The World Needs Now/Can't Stop Loving You/To Love Somebody/Brother Can You Spare A Dime/See-Saw

At the start of the seventies Welsh balladeer Tom Jones was still at the height of his popularity, although his vocal style is much less popular today. I Who Have Nothing features the UK and US top 20 title track, plus the sinister UK No. 5 Daughter Of Darkness. (US:23 UK: 10)

"Wonderfully over-the-top singing and instrumental excess as you would expect from Tom Jones. The standout tracks are Daughter Of Darkness and I (Who Have Nothing). The title track in particular has a nice oppressive feeling to it, with some ominous guitar sounds and a huge arrangement. The covers of some of the more well known songs are for the most part not bad, sung with gusto by Tom, though the arrangements can get pretty cheesy. All in all a great listen for Tom Jones fans."

"I (Who Have Nothing) as an album has a strong focus on remake material and includes a beautifully understated vocal performance of the old Rodgers & Hammerstein standard Loves Been Good To Me as well as a dramatic interpretation of the old Brother Can You Spare A Dime, a perfect fit for Jones and his over the top emotional vocal style that characterized some of his trademark hit singles. There is also a memorable remake of the Bee Gees hit To Love Somebody that seems tailor made for Jones from a musical standpoint. The title track is a very dramatic, emotional song with heavy orchestration and much use of the classic Tom Jones horn section, that rates well as a live performance highlight although this (like the single) is studio recording."

"The title track was one of his biggest hits, as well as being one of the best moments on this consistent, but average set, which also featured fine versions of To Love Somebody and Try A Little Tenderness."

"Tom Jones has a wonderful, powerful voice but he could not come close to adding the soul to the title song as Shirley Bassey did....she made your heart break into a million pieces with her rendition."

"They do not make music like this anymore. I don't believe that they have the talent or the inspiration. These days will never return. That is why I live in the past when it comes down to good quality music."