It's Not Unusual - 1965 - WoMB fest

[ODH]

Tom Jones is a local boy to me.  In fact when I'm sat at my desk in work I'm only a dozen or so miles from Pontypridd, where Tom comes from.  All through my life, Sir Tom has figured.  If you're Welsh and you travel to the States you will get asked if you know Tom Jones (that's if anyone has heard of Wales - my father was asked in St Louis if Wales was near any big cities in England).

For all that though, I was never that big of a fan, I gotta be honest.  This song was at number 2 in the hit parade on the day I was born and initially I rolled my eyes and dismissed it.  But then when I thought about it, I warmed up and became quite excited.  I was never going to be able to sing it like Tom, so I reinvented it for my own style.

Having said that when I began making this, my idea was for a dark version, slow and with menacing bass and guitar.  Immediately the song chose its own direction, and I went along for the ride.

It's actually all in GarageBand, and if you listen carefully you will hear my nodding tribute to our Hook at the end.

[cuthbert]

Not one of my favorite songs, but I like your version - a lot!  My mother was crazy about Tom Jones back when he had a variety show on TV, and so I'm well familiar with this song as well as his other hits. The man can definitely deliver a performance.

Great tip of the hat to Hook at the end, too!

[Blooby]

This is one of my favorite tunes precisely because it's Tom Jones. I aspire to be over 70 and have young women toss their frill bits at me. Cool choice of tones in this cover. Entertaining as all get out.

Blooby

[Redler]

I remember this. Liked your interpretation and the synth solo is just great!!

[Groundy]

Was never keen on this song, although I did like Tom Jones,
Having said that this is a brilliant version,
Really well done........

Alex

[Pete C]

That's made my Saturday morning - great take on a song I'm not paticularly fond of either.  Its a good vocal, enjoyed the jazz scatting at the end and the keyboards reminded me of John Shuttleworth in places. I'm a big fan of Shuttleworth so that was meant as a compliment !  Going back for another listen.

Pete

[Hook]

Oh yes , oh yes! What a great version, so very you Nick. I love the synth solo and the pinky sound behind your vocal makes me quote happy.
Dude, you can scat very well. I totally did it!
Rock on!

[Mach]

Oh yeah I'm old enough to remember the Tom Jones show. Nice interpretation of a classic...scat on!

Mach

[Hilary]

I was thinking about this song just yesterday - I love the song, I've done a slow melancholy version somewhere in the past. I like your version and I liked the scatting at the end too.

Nice one!

[bruno]

I listened to this the other day - thought I'd commented - but clearly not.
I really enjoyed the mix of styles with your version. Really interesting use of electronica in this.
B