TOM Jones’ record label has called his new album a “sick joke” after the singer put together a collection of hymns.
Island Records was furious when it discovered Jones’ new album Praise and Blame was gospel music instead of the upbeat pop he usually delivers.
The label, which signed the star for £1.5 million ($2.7 million) in October, was worried the album would flop.
The label’s vice president, David Sharpe, made his disapproval clear in May in an email to a colleague that was leaked to the media.
The email read: “Imagine my surprise when I walked into the office this morning to hear hymns coming from your office – it could have been Sunday morning.
“My initial pleasure came to an abrupt halt when I realized that Tom Jones was singing the hymns!
“I have just listened to the album in its entirety and want to know if this is some sick joke????”
But Jones told his website he was proud of the album.
Jones said, “I’ve been into spiritual music since I was a kid. We always sang a lot of gospel stuff in the chapel and at funerals. Even though sometimes it’s sad, it’s also uplifting.”
Sharpe was unrepentant when asked about the email and continued his attack on the new album.
“Shall we say we’ve paid for a Mercedes – we’ve got the hearse that’s arrived.”
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