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My man Butterscotch from Universal Music hooked me up with the new Tom Jones record "Praise and Blame", extolling the virtues of the album, as all good record label promo reps do.

"Dude," I said, "It’s Tom Jones.  You’re killing me."

So yeah, we all have pre-conceived notions of the 70 year-old Welsh crooner, but I gotta tell you this Gospel-inspired record is nothing short of immaculate.

It makes sense since another not-Elvis, Neil Diamond, made a record filled with traditional Jewish songs (The Jazz Singer soundtrack).  Why can’t the other not-Elvis, Tom Jones, deliver inspiring Christian tunes?

And while it’s a mix of covers from Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker and Billy Joe Shaver, this record delivers on its promise to be more Gospel than, um, crooning for love.

I’m no expert in the Gospel genre but I do believe (pun intended) that Tom’s credible delivery and excellent bandmates deliver what has got to be amongst the best Gospel records of the year—if not one of the best records in general this year.

By the way, Gospel music can be very rockin’.  Just take the second cut on the record "Lord Help," which features some awesome guitar and Hammond B-3 playing. Other tracks like "Strange Things" and the raucous "Burning Hell," a John Lee Hooker cover, will have you jumping right out of your chair, reaching for the sky. "Run On" is another loud clapping, foot stomping rockin’ track.

Of course, Tom does deliver tender, crooner-like melodies that are more reminiscent of the Gospel genre on tracks like "Did Trouble Me" or "Nobody’s Fault But Mine".

"Ain’t No Grave" should be burning up the country charts in no time. The tune sounds like something Johnny Cash or even Kenny Rogers would be incredibly comfortable singing.

This record is definitely one you should consider buying yourself, or giving as a gift to someone older who might be surprised to hear what Mr. Jones is currently working on.

I suspect "Praise and Blame" will do for Tom Jones what Johnny Cash’s "American" record did for his career. God bless Butterscotch for passing this record along.