Greatest Hits Rediscovered (UK Version)

Album Review

Responsible for perhaps more comebacks than any other U.K. pop artist, Welsh crooner Tom Jones has scored Top Five albums and singles in every decade since his '60s debut chart-topper "It's Not Unusual." Greatest Hits Rediscovered is, incredibly, his eighth compilation to chart, only highlighting how extensive his back catalog is. With 29 tracks spread over two discs, it's certainly his most comprehensive hits package, taking in everything from his classic karaoke standards "What's New Pussycat," "Green Green Grass of Home," and "Delilah" right up to his most recent career rejuvenation, the critically acclaimed back-to-basics Praise & Blame album, from which two tracks, "Burning Hell" and "What Good Am I," appear. Alongside his two number ones and string of Top Ten '60s/'70s singles, the hits package also showcases the reinventions that have prolonged his career far longer than most of his contemporaries. The funky Art of Noise collaboration, "Kiss," is a rare example of a Prince cover which doesn't detract from the original, the pulsating "Stoned in Love" is a successful foray into anthemic dance with producer Chicane, while the recent brass-led "Give a Little Love" is his best entirely solo single since his Las Vegas heyday. But of course the disc is dominated by his most successful recent project, 1999's covers album, Reload, with four of its five singles included here, the best of which is the Cardigans duet "Burnin' Down the House," and the Mousse T remix of "Sex Bomb." The live cover version of Little Richard's "Bama Lama Bama Loo" is a rather random inclusion, as is the "Full Monty Brits Medley" with Robbie Williams, especially considering several of his Top Ten hits are omitted. But overall, Greatest Hits Rediscovered is a fair reflection of an impressive body of work which cements Jones' reputation as one of the most powerful and enduring singers of his generation. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi