Tom Jones International

The Welsh newspaper, the Western Mail, said in a story rehashing the whole business about Tyson saying he’ll fight Tom, “…a spokeswoman for Jones said press reports of Tyson’s comments were the first she had heard of the supposed arrangement.”

But, maybe they just didn’t confide in her. Stay tuned.

The Green Green Grass of home belonged to the Welsh last week. Tom performed three nights in his beloved Wales. As you might have anticipated, he was very well received. The Welsh must not have much to shout about. Tom moved away from Wales over 30 years ago (as soon as he “made it big”). Yet the city of Cardiff continually embraces him as if he’d never left. Tom’s actual home town of Pontypridd is a short ride just outside of Cardiff.

Throughout this UK tour, Tom’s opening act, a Scottish rock-pop group called the Cosmic Rough Riders, has been trying to set a musical tone each evening from city to city. Doesn’t seem to be working out to well for the Rough Riders. In fact, it has been a rather rough ride for them. It’s not that their music is bad. It’s pretty good. I think it’s that when Tom Jones fans go to see Tom Jones, an opening act is just another time consuming obstacle keeping them from their much desired, knighted one.

Tom Jones did not disappoint. He put on great shows in Cardiff. He made references to the fact that he had “come home” once again. The fans loved that. Tom even uttered a couple of words in welsh. Beats the heck out of me what he said. Trying to make sense of welsh is no more simple than trying to read it. I’ve been told that it’s a dying language here, but you’d never know that when trying to read street signs to negotiate your whereabouts.

Sir Tom Jones was flawless all three Cardiff nights. He looked well, sounded great and danced easily as the chosen one amongst his flock once again.

When he sang Green Green Grass of Home, it was the first time ever that I literally could not hear Tom’s voice because the crowd had completely taken over the song. They sang loudly, with great passion and remarkably, in key. In fact, several times during that song, and during Fall In Love, Mr Jones literally stopped singing, stretched his arms out wide, and let the audience carry on with what they had started. They sang those two songs like they were their combined nation anthem; as if Hitler had just met his demise the day before. The fans sang and they swayed. Their national treasure stood before them and shared, as well as embraced, these moments.

It was a happy time in Cardiff. I wonder when Tom will return here. During his last major tour to Europe in 2003, Tom sold out eight nights in his beloved Wales. That tour came upon the heels of two very successful albums. During this current tour, Tom really has no new product to back up. Yet he is filling up arenas. That is quite a testament to the magnetic hold this august entertainer has with those who love “the voice.”

By the way the set list has changed slightly. Trick Or Treat (which had been the 2nd song of the evening), has been dropped. Not to be replaced it seems.

And here’s one more update. I’m getting close to broke, but I’m happy to still be here. I’ve taken a liking to bangers-n-mash. It’s really not the best food to eat on the regular. But then neither are Fat Burgers or Philly Cheese Steaks! I just wash ‘em down with a pint, Mate, (BURP!). Sorry, mate. Cheers!

Scoop… out!

Well, we really don’t care, but Nicolas Cage is selling “Dean Martin’s house” on Copa d’Oro. And, now, at long last, the papers are calling it “Tom Jones’s house,” just as the man predicted so long ago.

As we said, we don’t really care, but we wonder if the fact that Cage paid $7 million for it seven years ago and, put it on the market for $35 million is something that the immediate-past owner might care about.

Here’s a Q & A interview from The Observer Magazine. Tom says some interesting, even amusing things. The amazing photo is from the article.

Tom Jones
Singer, 66, London

Interview by Barbara Ellen/Sunday October 22, 2006/The Observer

I’ve always had the voice, I’ve always sung, ever since I was small — in school, in chapel, to the radio. I don’t really know life without it.

I lived in Wales for the first 24 years of my life and it stood me in good stead, gave me values. But that’s also a lot to do with your upbringing. It could be working-class, it could be middle-class, but you’ve got to have love and attention, and I did, I was lucky.

I might have become a miner like my father, but I had tuberculosis when I was 12. I couldn’t go out between the ages of 12 and 14. It was a big lesson — not to take life for granted. I said to myself, when I get out of this bed, I’ll never complain about anything ever again. But I do.

I’m never scared to try new things. When you do something and the kids dig it, it’s great. It’s not about trying to be young, or something you’re not, because they always see through that.

You need to have a bit of an ego in this business.

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Here’s the first review from the three-night Cardiff gig. It would, we think, be great if a real music critic would write about the show, rather than the audience reaction. And that ol’ sheep is still flying inn’t it? But, still, a nice puff-type piece.This is from the Western Mail. The photos are by Huw John for the newspaper. The caption for the photo on the right reads “Sir Tom’s first night of three in Cardiff proved his legendary voice will serve him for plenty of years yet.” The one on the left says, “SEX BOMB When he wiggled the screams probably reached across the Channel.”

Fans crazy at Sir Tom’s first Welsh gig

Karen Price, Western Mail/Oct 21 2006

TO loud screams and thunderous applause, Tom Jones performed in his beloved Wales last night for the first time as a knight.

Dressed in his signature dark suit, Jones — or Sir Tom — entertained fans in his homeland with a string of hits.

It may have been just another date on his current UK tour, but for the superstar, being back in Wales once more was clearly a special occasion.

“I would like to say it’s great to be home once again,” he said, to massive cheers.

The build-up to the opening of the show was huge as a giant globe was beamed on to the screens either side of the stage.

Three words flashed up, “Locating: The Voice.”

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