Haystacks
Have you seen my needle?
Tonight J & I drive to Knoxville to see Tom Jones. That’s right. You heard me. Tom Jones. Yes, THAT Tom Jones. Scoff. I don’t care. I stand proud in my fandom. I’ve loved that voice all my life. I make no apologies for it.
His latest release is a collection of Gospel and gospel-esque tunes. Praise & Blame is a breath of fresh air to me. Not just musically, philosophically.
I live in the Bible Belt. I work in a Southern Baptist church. I live in a culture steeped in Jesus. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s not always a good thing. Christians raised in this culture know all the right words and phrases. (We call it Christianese.) It is rare to see the raw desperation I find in Praise & Blame.
My favorite track is If I Give My Soul. This Billy Joe Shaver cover says all the right things the wrong way, (according to Christianese grammar rules).
If i give my soul,will he stop my hands from shaking
If i give my soul,will my son love me again
If i give my soul,and she knows i really mean it
If i give my soul to Jesus will she take me back agan
