Tommy James - "Christian of the World" (1971)

After his years with The Shondells, Tommy James had a relatively successful solo career. His Christian faith was hinted in some previous songs, but on this record the message was clear. The Christian theme doesn't in any way affect the quality of the songs negatively, it's beautiful melodies, groovy choruses and soulful gospel choirs mixed with catchy pop music. Tommy James had a gift of writing music many appreciated. The quality of the cover may be discussed, though.

The inside of the cover

Since I'm quite fond of bombastic choruses that sweep you away, I dig many of the songs. The gospel choirs make it swing. In general, Tommy James made quite positive music, which is also the case here. There are no depressing pieces that take the listener to a dark place, instead it's friendly, happy and easily accessible. And good. The songs are of high quality, even though they are so radio-friendly. Of course there are some more boring songs, which may be too cheesy, but overall a good record. And the older I've got, the less patience I have with songs that are too long. Therefore, I appreciate the 2-3-minute length of the songs. I never get bored, and the variation gets greater. So if you stumble upon the record in a thrift store, I think you should buy it. One does not have to fear the Christian message a number of songs display, it only makes them groove more.


Tracklist

Side A
1. "Christian of the World" - 2:45
2. "Rings and Things" - 1:55
3. "I'm Comin' Home"- 2:03
4. "Sing, Sing, Sing" - 3:05
5. "Draggin 'the Line" - 2:45
6. "Sail a Happy Ship" - 3:15
7. "Light of the Day" - 3:46

Side B
1. "Bits and Pieces" - 2:30
2. "I Believe in People" - 2:26
3. "Church Street Soul Revival" - 3:15
4. "Another hill to climb" - 3:10
5. "Adrienne" - 2:40
6. "Silk, Satin, Carriage Waiting" - 2:49

Tommy James And The Shondells - "I Think We're Alone Now" (1967)

I have some later albums with Tommy James, which are much more fun than today's theme. The title track opens the album, and it's a good song, a classic. But the rest of the record is not to my taste. Lightweight, well behaved, cheesy bubbelgum pop, which in my ears is very outdated. I like Tommy James later when he / they had ventured further into the psychedelia, Crimson & Clover is probably the most well known song from that era, but they weren't there yet. Here you'll find quite plain songs that don't challenge in any way, it's created for mass airing via the commercial US radio. The variation is not great, the sound is exactly the same and many of the songs sound like versions of each other. The songs are short, which is good.

The album was produced by Bo Gentry and Ritchie Cordell, and the latter has written the vast majority of the songs. Among the songs he hasn't written, is the cover California Sun, which is actually quite fun. Maybe the most interesting thing about the record is the cover. I didn't think much about it, but read online that it was considered too controversial, and was changed after the first release to a picture of the band instead. The controversy being the two pairs of footsteps first go next to each other, but at the end are standing opposite each other! Naughty, naughty. Apparently, this was too much for the public in the US at the time, although it was a rather subtle hint in my eyes.

Another interesting thing about the record is that it is released on Roulette, a company which, according to Tommy James and many others, was run by the Italian mafia. The company was notorious for not paying the artists' royalties, and Tommy James claims that the company owed him and the band 30-40 million dollars. In 1989, the company was sold to Rhino and EMI, who subsequently paid royalties to various artists, including Tommy James, although it wasn't the sums he had previously mentioned.

In other words, a record that is fun to have in the collection for reasons other than the music.


Tracklist

Side A
1. I Think We're Alone Now 2:08
2. Trust Each Other In Love 2:08
3. What I Would Give To See Your Face Again 3: 15
4. Baby Let Me Down 1: 43
5. Let's Be Lovers 2:18
6. Run, Run, Baby, Run 2:18

Side B
1. Mirage 2:30
2. I Like The Way 2:42
3. California Sun 2:59
4. (Baby, Baby) I Can not Take It No More 2:17
5. Gone, Gone, Gone 2:13
6. Shout 1:50

Tommy James – ”Tommy James” (1970)
 

Today's theme is a pretty fun album. Many of you probably know Tommy James and the Shondells, a band which produced many hits in the late 60's. Who doesn’t remember Crimson And Clover? Excellent pop psychedelia. 1970 Tommy James released his first solo album which feels like a natural extension of the Shondells time, semi psychedelic pop not too inaccessible. If I didn’t know about it, it would be difficult to guess that the second half of the band name was gone, as it sounds pretty much like the creations from the 60s. In this case, it’s not something negative.

Actually, there are really no weak tracks on the album, and the A-side is a string of great songs. The record’s highlight is the opening track on side B, Come To Me. Here, Tommy is joined by a female choir that takes the music to even greater heights, in a chorus that you can’t help but sing along in. The listener is invited to some soulful, fast paced and danceable songs, some slower and more druggy creations and finally, the punky Quicksilver. But Tommy stays constantly within the frame of easy access, groovy songs with nice hooks and a healthy touch of psychedelia.

 

The album was released on Roulette Records. Apparently it was a front the Mafia used, not least for money laundering. According to Tommy James himself he never got royalties for a sum up to 30-40 million dollars, and at one point he had to leave New York and instead record in Nashville because of an ongoing mob conflict. Tommy didn’t want a bullet in his head, or a resting place in the East River. 2010 he released his autobiography Me, the Mob and the Music, a book Tommy didn’t dare to write until everyone who was deeply involved in Roulette Records were dead.

In any case, this album can be recommended, a fun mix of songs with a distinct Tommy James touch. Of course it's a pretty commercial record, Tommy James and the Shondells were one of the bands that sold most records in the late 60's, and Tommy continues on the same path. Nevertheless, the album is really enjoyable. All the songs clock in at between 3-4 minutes, except Come To Me which is 4 seconds short of the magic 3-minute limit. No mind bending, radio hostile long jams on this record.

 

Tracklist

Side A

1. Ball And Chain 3:30
2. Meet The Comer 3:35
3. Midnight Train 3:29
4. Light Of Day 3:46

Side B

1. Come To Me 2:56
2. I Lost My Baby 3:07
3. Lady Jane 3:40
4. Quicksilver 3:21