Tom Jones International

A local radio station is reporting that Tom will be playing in Oman (as shown at left). Oman is on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula near Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This is not definite, as even one news report from there says that “it is not even on his official site.”

Tom will be in Manila, Philippines, on March 28. Here’s a six-question preview interview from the local newspaper:

Tom Jones vows to sing non-stop

By Pocholo Concepcion/Philippine Daily Inquirer/First Posted 22:45:00 03/16/201024 Hours, features collaborations with U2’s Bono and The Edge.

Two weeks before his concert on March 28 at the Araneta Coliseum, Jones granted this phone interview, facilitated by DJ Baby John of RJ-FM.

Is it true that you were heavily influenced by Elvis Presley? Yes, we were then playing rock and roll in South Wales. That could be anything from Elvis Presley to Roy Orbison, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis…

For the rest of this interview and for Tom’s version of Danny Boy, click here to Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s a very favorable review from Tom’s last Australian show in Perth Saturday night. The reviewer didn’t care for the songs from 24 Hours and notes that they were greeted a “muted silence,” kind of like many audiences here greeted Stoned In Love a couple of years ago. But — hooray! — Tom added The Hitter. (I wonder if it is the entire 6+ minutes.) The thing is that, like most of Springsteen’s songbook, this is a very American song….can’t explain why, but I guess it’s because Springsteen is so very much of his time and place — his time being the last 40 years or so and his place, definitely, New Jersey. Anyway, interesting, thoughtful, well-researched and informed review. Finally.

Tom Jones charms Perth fans

Polly Coufos/PerthNow/ March 15, 2010 12:19PM

To be fair the girls were only singing what the rest of us were thinking.

As Tom Jones went backstage before his encore to swap one saturated-with-sweat dress shirt for another that would also look like he’d been swimming in it within minutes, his 11-piece backing band vamped a little on a little of Prince’s back catalogue before heading into Jones’ remake of Kiss. His two backing singers cooed ever so sweetly “you sexy mother …” They left the last word blank but anybody who wasn’t thinking the same thing couldn’t have been paying attention.

Here’s a man three months away from his 70th birthday, and yet still in fine vocal and physical form. He’d made fun of the fact that he is just about to join the septuagenarian club but the way he moved suggests the years have been very kind to him and he still has a ways to go.

There were lots of pelvic thrusts but they were almost always accompanied by a sly grin. All the knickers hurling nonsense – and the couple of pairs that passed this reviewer’s eyes could have served to cover your canary cage – is still part of the show. Fun for the ladies who should have spent a bit more time in the backyard practicing their throw, ignored by him.

If Tom Jones truly were a Lothario caricature, able to be reduced to a handful of novelty hits and lofted unmentionables it would have been curtains for him years ago. That’s just schtick, what got Jones in the public eye was talent. It’s what’s kept him there too. His warm baritone is ageing, and like the rest of him it may not be quite what it used to be but could still put to shame just about anybody else you care to name.

The sight of his now silver mop tilting back, his eyes rolling back in his head as he reached into the depths of his diaphragm to bring forth steel-like power is still something to behold. Likewise his smile as he looks out into the crowd. You’d go a long way to see someone who enjoys performing this much.

He showed the desire to front a hard-edged soul band still burns within, nailing Otis Redding’s’ Hard To Handle and Randy Newman’s Mama Told Me Not To Come. If only the pop hits hadn’t come along it’s hard not to think he may have become one of the all time best blue-eyed soul singers.

He held back a little on a trio of acoustic country songs including Green Green Grass Of Home and a stunning mariachi-infused arrangement of Save The Last Dance For Me and they offered another, less abrasive, side to the Welsh star.

For the radio interview, click here to Read the rest of this entry »

Tom ended the Australian leg of his tour in great style in front of 10,000 people in Perth, West Australia (right). The night before, near Melbourne, there was a crowd about 40 percent smaller than expected. But if you read the article below this, you’ll see that the responsibility falls right into the lap of the tour organizer. But, it was Tom who got the blame because he “appeals to an older demographic.”The guy who said that is a….um…..I’ll say jerk. Tomorrow we’ll have more from Perth and, soon, a review, photos and video from a fan who saw Tom in Melbourne.

Knickers fly at Tom Jones concert

DAILE PEPPER.March 15, 2010/10:19AM/WA Today/Photos: Duncan Barnes

The knickers were off before Tom Jones even hit the stage.

Fans went crazy for the now 69-year-old Sex Bomb who showed the crowd he has still got it last night at the final A Day on the Green concert for the season. They had been warmed up by David Campbell set and were truly ready to rock.

Women held their knickers aloft as Jones stalked onto the stage, and plenty attempted to throw them at his feet, though it was such a distance that most didn’t make it.

They lost their minds as the singer belted out songs including Delilah, If I Only Knew, It’s Not Unusual, She’s A Lady and Mama Told Me Not To Come.

Wives grooved, screamed, whistled and jumped their way through the exciting set, while husbands sat patiently beside them, some getting up to join the throng of dancing women during encore. It certainly was lady’s night.

From the minute he started belting out tunes, starting with Sugar Daddy, Jones had the massive crowd of nearly 10,000 people grounds excited.

“I’ve got the moves,” he declared, proving it with a couple of crotch-grabbing manouvers and plenty of hip thrusting throughout the evening.

“It’s good to be back once again in Perth,” he told the crowd.

“We were here five years ago now, it’s amazing how time flies!”

His hit Delilah really kicked off the madness, with the audience taking part in a massive sing-a-long, some women holding their knickers aloft as they swayed along to the tune.

During one particularly hot moment the singer flashed his toned abdomen, sending the crowd into yet another frenzy.

All agreed Jones’ sex appeal has not diminished with age.

Click here to Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s a very nice tribute video that is also decent quality. So, because I have an unbelievably busy schedule between now and Thursday night, I am just embedding it. I usually prefer not to, but for this one it works.

The video has clips from Europe, San Francisco (left at Outside Lands) and lots of other shows. At one point the picture is sideways, but that’s just for a small while. He also says Tom’s birthday is in July, but we can certainly forgive him for that since he took the time to do this and what he says on it is really nice.

And, since I do have such a busy week, if you have, or find, anything you’d like to share with other fans via TJI, please send it along. Please!

On Wednesday in Melbourne, Tom added a song to his set list. It is the Elvis number, One NIght. The song was on his 1981 Mercury album, Darlin’ and, as is Elvis’ version, it’s lots of fun to listen to.

The people at Cirque du Soliel just recently opened their new show, Viva Elvis and the song is included in the show but, sadly, Elvis himself probably wouldn’t recognize it.

The actor playing Col. Tom Parker, came onstage and informed the audience that Elvis had a twin brother who died at birth and Elvis missed his twin his entire life. Thus the it is introduced.

Now, if you know this song, you know that it is a love song, a song about sex, more shouted than sung and is very effective. But here, for some reason, it’s used to portray brotherly love. So the two acrobats do their thing on a large wire guitar suspended upstage center. As they’re doing their acrobatics, there’s a woman sitting at an old upright piano very softly playing and singing the song. No argument that Elvis missed his twin. And no argument that these two guys cavorting on the guitar are really good at what they do. My only argument with it is against taking such a passionate number and doing this to it.

Anyway, you can see video of Tom’s version in Melbourne.here. It’s shot from far away from the stage and the sound could be better, but you get an idea.

As usual, if you cannot play it, drop me a line using the “Contact TJI” link at the bottom right and I’ll email it to you

Thanks, Olli!

The Los Angeles Times is doing a rundown of the 2,400 stars on the Hollywood Star Walk. Tom’s star is at 6608 Hollywood Blvd. in front of Frederick’s of Hollywood, the famed purveyor of lingerie.

Tom was awarded his star on June 29, 1989. His star was totally paid for by his fans who also nominated him.

Tom Jones

Actor | Singer
Born Thomas Jones Woodward on June 7, 1940 in Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom

The hit 1965 single It’s Not Unusual put Welsh singer Tom Jones on the musical map, turning him into an international sensation known as much for his sexual charisma as for his vocalizing.

From the mid-1960s through the early-’70s, Jones enjoyed such other memorable chart busters as What’s New Pussycat?, Delilah, Daughter of Darkness and She’s a Lady. He also sang the title theme for the James Bond movie Thunderball.

During this era, Jones performed live in Las Vegas and in New York, where screaming women would routinely hurl their underwear and hotel room keys at the curly-haired sex symbol while he sang. He starred in several popular TV variety series and appeared on many TV specials around this time as well.

The singer has reinvented himself over the years, finding major success on the country music charts, all while continuing to tour, record and appear on TV and in the occasional acting gig.

In 1999, Jones released Reload, his biggest-selling album ever, mainly composed of cover duets sung with such eclectic talents as the Pretenders, Barenaked Ladies and Van Morrison.

The singer, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006, has been married to his wife, Melinda, since 1957 (they were both 16 at the time). They have one son, Mark.

— Gary Goldstein for the Los Angeles Times March 1, 2010

Click here to Read the rest of this entry »

The Pepsi Kona ad (in the March 8 post below) was shot on a soundstage in West LA in 1996 or 97. It was directed by Joe Pytka who started in documentary films and went on to direct more than 5,000 commercials, including “this is your brain on drugs…” (Remember that?) He also directed spots for products including Nike and McDonald’s. To encourage the economic redevelopment of New York City after 9/11, he directed four of the so-called “New York Miracle” ads, including spots with Woody Allen skating, Henry Kissinger sliding into home plate, and Yogi Berra* conducting the Philharmonic. Pytka also directed music videos by many artists including Michael Jackson. Along the way he directed two feature-length films. Let it Ride (1989), with Richard Dreyfuss and Space Jam (1996), with Michael Jordan and others from the NBA. To get the horn sound Pytka wanted in the spot, the TJ band was augmented with a few more musicians.

Shortly after that ad was done, Tom worked on, and released Reload. To promote it he made lots of TV appearance in the UK (CD wasn’t released in the US. (Perhaps it was believed we wouldn’t get it?) At any rate, among the promo appearances was the usual one on the Jools Holland BBC show, Later.

TJ has almost 10 minutes of video from that appearance where, accompanied by the tremendous Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Tom sang solo and with Cerys Matthews, performed Baby, It’s Cold Outside. (The cover of their single is at left, in case you didn’t guess. That is not them in the picture.)

You can watch it in the TJI.com Video Library.

*Yogi Berra, a beloved figure in New York, is a former catcher for the NY Yankees and, after he stopped playing ball, was a broadcast commentator and a manager. He is famous also for his unique turns of phrase. There are many, many examples, including: “It ain’t over ’til it’s over,” It’s like déjà vu all over again,” When you get to a fork in the road, take it,” “Nobody goes there anymore because it’s too crowded.”

These days Herman Matthews is busy playing around LA and, in fact, in many other places. He’s been traveling with Timothy B. Schmit, best known as a member of The Eagles. They’ve played across the US and, in a couple of weeks, head to the UK.

They’ll be at:
• Manchester Academy 2 on Friday, March 26
• Birmingham Glee Club, Sunday, March 28
• Cadogan Hall, London, Tuesday, March 30

For tickets, go to LiveNation’s website (and we’re familiar with that, aren’t we?)

It promises to be a terrific show and, if you can, go….and be sure to say hi to Herman. (Don’t forget to check out his website and, if you wish, try some of his peanut brittle.)

Tom did another Day On the Green show in Launceston, Australia Saturday. There was an almost-sold-out crowd of about 6,000 and, clearly, a good time was had by all. The review below, even if you’d never seen Tom do a show, is really a testament to the fun the audience and Tom have when he performs. And, if you’re a believer, you’ll say, “Of course the skies cleared when it was time for him to perform!”

He’s still got it

GABRIELLE HALL/10 Mar, 2010 10:06 AM/Northern Argus, AU

He might be nearly 70, but Sir Tom Jones proved he has still got ‘it’, wowing a large crowd at a day on the green at Annie’s Lane, Watervale, on Saturday night.

Just under 6000 people flocked to the event and not even cold, wet conditions could dampen the spirits of fans, many of whom donned ponchos, rain jackets and even plastic bags to keep dry.

Amongst intermittent rain showers, Melbourne’s Wolfgramm Sisters kicked off the entertainment, followed by David Campbell who was well-received by the audience and got them in just the right mood for the main event.

Tom Jones arrived by car and was greeted in Watervale and surrounding towns by numerous pairs of knickers strung along various locations — possibly larger in size than those that may have greeted him in his earlier years.

The ‘a day on the green’ signpost outside the Watervale Hotel featured three large white pairs of knickers with “Welcome Tom” lettered on them as a welcome.

Click here to Read the rest of this entry »

An article about Atlantic City in the Baltimore Sun quoted Jeff Vassar, president of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Bureau, who said: “Ten years ago, you saw the same acts rotating through Atlantic City all the time,” he says. “As much as I like Tom Jones and Don Rickles, they appeal to a much older audience. Now, Atlantic City is taking a much younger approach. We’ve got Carrie Underwood, Nickelback – you wouldn’t see acts like that 10 years ago.”

OK, Mr. Vassar, let’s get honest here. Among the mix of entertainers in AC this year are: Engelbert, Frankie Valli, Dion, Michael Bolton, Neil Sedaka and, the only one who’s sold out thus far is Jeff Beck. Clearly, Mr. Vassar is being less than honest….perhaps the reason is that the casinos aren’t offering as many multi-night engagements and are offering a lot less money. (And, by the way, since when does Michael Bolton appeal to a young crowd?

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On April 15, Mullocks Auctions in Shropshire (UK) will include some TJ memorabilia in it’s auction. Here’s the story and it’s amusing….imagine not wanting to take any old job! …imagine not being absolutely honest with a government official! Note, too, that the spellings (scepticism eg.) are left here as in the original. The story was in several UK papers and I posted the best version. But, honestly, hasn’t enough time elapsed to let it go and just regard it as a quaint curiosity. Hasn’t Tom Woodward proven he’s a hard worker? Jeez! Wouldn’t it be great if Tom could acquire these books (well, of course, he could acquire them) and frame the relevant pages?

Tom Jones jobcentre records reveal staff scepticism
Documents up for auction show 60s civil servants were not too impressed with young singer chasing big break

Steven Morris/Monday 8 March 2010 13.07 GMT/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/mar/08/tom-jones-employment-jobcentre-records”>Guardian

He went on to sell many millions of records across the world, but employment office records suggest the civil servants who dealt with Tom Jones before he made it big were sceptical and perhaps a little jealous.

Found in a skip and now up for auction, the records include pointed remarks that mock him for signing on rather than signing autographs.

The notes also reveal that he preferred not to do shift work because it interfered with his burgeoning pop career and, it would appear, donned dapper outfits when he attended the employment office in his native south Wales.

One comment from the employment office in December 1963 states: “He does not want shiftwork but I believe the reason for his not liking shifts is because he is a member of a vocal group which is supposedly an amateur affair.

“From the number of adverts one sees in the local press, however, it seems that this group has a good thing going … from the way he is able to dress, it would seem that Mr Woodward’s [his original name] little hobby is highly lucrative and this would also account for his non-enthusiasm in securing employment.

Click here to Read the rest of this entry »

If you missed it yesterday, please scroll down to see the video of Tom and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Several years ago Pepsi briefly marketed a product called Pepsi Kona. As the name tells us, it was a combination of Pepsi and Kona coffee.

The product, produced in a Pepsi plant in the Philadelphia area, was test-marketed in a few places on the east coast. Couldn’t find an exact date but, if this really was a commercial, it looks like the late 1990s or early part of this century.

Pepsi Kona was pulled as, apparently, the consensus was that it tasted terrible. But the commercial is clever and fun.

If anyone knows about this, please email me using the contact link at right so I can post the info where all can see it.

You can watch the commercial here.

As usual, if you cannot play it, drop me a line using that same “Contact TJI” link at the bottom right that I referenced above and I’ll email it to you.