Fan Fare, What's New, Pussycat?
Here’s where you’ll find TJ photos and stories that don’t fit into any other categories. It is, as its name says, just for fans — and, hopefully, for fun.
Tom Jones: “Black Betty” As You’ve Never Seen It Before, The Original Leadbelly Record & Kinda TJ-Related “Idol” News
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008We usually dislike this type of video. After all, if we’re going to see a video of a Tom Jones song, we want to see Tom Jones on the screen actually performing the song. We don’t even like those videos that use stills of him to accompany his music. But SusannePDX sent this to us and we just laughed and laughed. We thought you might enjoy it, too.
And, in case you never heard it — and are curious about the music that influenced Tom Jones — here’s Leadbelly with the original Black Betty.
Leadbelly (left), born Huddie Ledbetter (1888-1949) is looked at today as one of the seminal blues singers of his time, but blues was only one of his genres. He is famous for his versions of, among other songs, Goodnight Irene, Rock Island Line, The Midnight Special and Cotton Fields. Leadbelly first recorded Black Betty in 1939 as part of a three-song medley. It’s thought to be an adaptation of an African-American work song.
NOTE: We post information like this because we find that many people are like us — really interested in the music that has informed Tom’s music from the beginning. If you’d like other information on the topic, just let us know. We’ll be happy to try to answer. That’s why we have a section called TJ Questions. We really want to be of service and we figure if one fan wants an answer, lot of fans probably do. So, if you have a question, just email us.
Some Sort-Of Tom Jones-Related News: The new American Idol judge is Kara DioGuardi who, (not confirmed yet), has one of the songs on Tom’s new CD. Her background and track record are very impressive. According to her website, the 37 year-old Grammy-nominated songwriter-producer, has written for Céline, Santana, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Leona Lewis, Faith Hill, Paris Hilton, Enrique Iglesias, Joss Stone, David Archuleta, Clay Aiken and Menudo.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Thanks for Leadbelly’s version…we love all the info you provide about TJ and his music.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
That was funny thanks
August 26th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
This is fun! SusannePDX is correct. You always make it interesting, even when there’s nothing happening in the Tom Jones world.
August 26th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I saw that comment about Kara DioGuardi earlier today on her bio and thought she must have written something on Tom’s CD. You ladies don’t miss a thing!
August 26th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I used to watch Barney all the time with my grandchildren, and I never heard him singing Black Betty. Is this a joke??? I have to say Leadbelly’s version is more soulful than Tom’s.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Fun, Thanks for posting, Tom Jones still enspiring
January 18th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Since you know a lot more about Tom Jones than I do, who is the dapper old black gentleman with the hat and cane in Tom’s video of Black Betty?
Thanks!