Tom Jones International

We apologize for any confusion, but we’ve been told that the release dates for Gemini — US: October 21; UK/Europe: Nov 17 — as posted on tomjones.com are correct. (Although the other night, Tom said onstage that it will be released “next month.” But that could have been a slip, nothing more.)

We’re thrilled to hear this because, if the powers-that-be are looking for a Reload-like success in the USA, the best way to achieve that is by making it a US release. That way, it’s not just another import release. It is an importANT release.

So, we’re sorry but, at the same time, very happy.

We too often still hear and read about a Las Vegas that is long gone; a Las Vegas with no culture or class and no way to draw people except via gambling. And, also too often, we read about Tom Jones as part of that city of a generation or two ago. We believe it’s time people took another look. Whether you live here, visit here, work here or, even, send people to visit or work here, Las Vegas deserves a reevaluation and more respect. Thus, we’re posting our thoughts.

Back in 1968, when Tom Jones first played Las Vegas, this was a very different city than it is today. In the 1960s, according to the City of Las Vegas’ official website “…a phenomenon led by Howard Hughes, occurs in Las Vegas. Corporations are building and/or buying hotel/casino properties. They have the capital necessary and the profitability makes entrance into the casino industry extremely attractive. Gambling becomes ‘gaming’ and starts the transition into legitimate business.”

Tom came to play the Flamingo — where he recorded an album — and, inspired by Tom, Elvis followed the next year.

Las Vegas was then a small city, with most of the people who lived here employed in the gaming industry, in the military or in small business. Entertainment was still big names and up-and-coming lounge acts.

Over the next 40 years, Las Vegas changed. The population of under 50,000 grew to more than 500,000 by 2000 and gaming is no longer the engine that drives the Strip economy. (In fact, technically, the Strip is not in Las Vegas. It is in the town of Paradise.)

As the city changed, so did entertainment.

Today, people who play Las Vegas are usually at the top of their game or headed straight for the top.

Las Vegas is no longer the city it was — cheesy, chintzy and something to laugh at.

Today — if one discounts the finer arts of opera, ballet and straight plays — Las Vegas is more than a place for tired lounge acts and fading celebrities. With entertainers the likes of JT, Madonna, Santana, Jimmy Buffett, Jerry Seinfeld and, of course, Tom Jones, as well as all the marvelous Cirque shows and the reimagining (and revitalization) of Phantom of the Opera, Las Vegas is, truly, the First City of Entertainment. Anywhere.

In general, only the best entertainers and entertainment play here. Tom — by no means the Vegas medallion man — has done it for 40 years. He and Las Vegas have grown up together and he is an important part of this city. We hope his fans and everyone around him and everyone who writes about him recognizes this and recognizes, too, that being part of Las Vegas is nothing to be ashamed of.

Las Vegas is also an international destination in a time when one can gamble anywhere in the world. It is a world center of fine dining, attracting the top chefs from around the world. We have some of the finest hotels and attendant amenities anywhere and the shopping here is amazing.

Our “international” website pays tribute to an international entertainment giant and is based in an international city. At Tom’s shows there are people from, literally, around the world. On our website we get visitors from as far away as the Ukraine and Japan. After the show the other night we gathered with TJI.com site visitors who have become friends. In just one night there were people with us from Canada, Florida, Oregon, France and California. And that was only one night.

We’re proud of our international city and hope that someday it — and all of the people who appear and live here — get the respect they merit. We’re lucky to be here. We believe that visitors are equally lucky to visit here and entertainers are lucky to work here.

It may be fun in Las Vegas. But, make no mistake, Las Vegas is no longer a joke.

Photo of Tom, above, in January 1968, two months before he first played Las Vegas. Above right is the famed sign at Caesars Palace that caught fire one night. Although the cause was quite likely a short, when asked why it caught fire, Tom told a fan, “I was so hot.” Well, he still is, isn’t he?

It’s that time of year again. We’re putting together our 2009 TJI.com Fan Calendar and, to do it right, we need your photos.

Last year, every picture in the calendar (but one that was used by permission) came from fans and, as you know, there were some extraordinary ones. We’re hoping for the same result this year.

We’re particularly interested in off-stage pictures, although stage photos are also welcome.

Please read this carefully: Because this is strictly a fan endeavor, we can only use photos of Tom taken by fans over the years. When you submit a photo, it must come with a note that you took it (or that you have consent from the photographer to use it), and please tell us where and when it was taken.

Please send your submissions to href="http://tomjonesintl.com/wp-admin/post.php#" mce_href="http://tomjonesintl.com/wp-admin/post.php#">tji.com.

Photos should be scanned at 300 dpi. If you have to send very large files, email us for instructions. And, of course, if you have any questions about scanning, content — anything — just ask.

The deadline for photos is September 1. If your photo is included in the calendar, you will get one free.

Saturday and Sunday, August 9 and 10: As usual in this economy, there are seats available for all shows, but the reception for Tom was enthusiastic

On Saturday night, he tried joking with an audience that lived up to his old saying, “British humor. American silence.” That night a girl, about 10 years old, came up to the stage and Tom took time to talk to her. While he was doing so, an adult fan came up behind the child and tossed a pair of panties on the stage. Tom finished his conversation with the girl and, then, chided the fan for doing that while he was talking. We think he was right, so we say, “good for him.”

Sunday night, he deviated a bit from his usual patter, welcoming people to Las Vegas, noting “it’s good to see you.”

Absolutely nothing was thrown on stage on Sunday. One woman at table nine — way on stage right — tried for almost the entire show to give him a bouquet of roses which, at the end, he took.

A young girl, possibly the same one from Saturday night, was coached by her mother to go up to the stage and give Tom a card or a note. Mom and daughter crouched down behind one of the tables next to the center stage. Unfortunately for them, they picked the wrong table for, although there was ample room, the same old intrusive fan we’ve written about before absolutely refused to move over a few inches to either her left or right to let the child in so she could hand Tom the note. She just stared straight ahead and wouldn’t budge. The attitude seemed to be “we own him and all the land around him and no one can come in.” It is shameful.

Meanwhile, her mom, clearly using her child to “get to” Tom, kept pushing and prodding the girl to move up but, of course, she couldn’t because the only possibility of getting near the stage was stolidly blocked for no good reason by the selfish fan. As a result the girl began to cry. (Dancing at the end of the show, the mom was finally able to hand Tom a napkin with a note on it.)

We’ll bet the child will never listen to Tom Jones again after that experience. One onlooker said, “The poor kid was traumatized.”

By Sunday night, the fans often referred to stalkerazzi were in town, busily looking for Tom after the show. We’re sure if they were successful we’ll all hear about it. And, by the way, most of these fans mean no harm. While one may wonder at their motives, we’ve found them to be over-enthusiastic. And persistent.

From 11:30 Saturday night until about 2:30 Sunday morning Las Vegas’ Bootlegger Bistro rocked with the music of Herman Matthews & Friends. There were Brian Monroney, Bill Churchville, Mike Turnbull, Kenny Anderson, Ric Fierabracci, Frank Strauss and, of course, Herman Matthews.

The enthusiastic audience included lots of musicians — among them the amazing Earl Turner and a couple of back-up singers we all know. The venue reported that people were calling all week to “make reservations for Tom Jones.” Of course, he wasn’t there and no one ever said he would be.

As we said before, this was not a Tom Jones show. This was seven of his musicians (Kevin Richardson came to watch but, because of the arrangements and the space, didn’t play his trumpet — or flugelhorn) and they were great.

It was so interesting for us to hear these guys — whom we’ve heard playing the same TJ songs over and over for years now — playing the other stuff they play. No vocals, just what Herman described as “funky, soulful jazz”in the publicity for the show and, at the show, a bunch of guys “making fools of themselves,” (which of course they did not).

The music was wonderful and we got to see these guys play with total abandon in a performance so much less structured than what we’re used to.

The night allowed each musician — each a master — to strut his stuff. They were something to hear with every solo proving again how good they are.

The crowd was wildly enthusiastic, having a great time.

We are looking forward to next week. Same time. Same place.

Photos courtesy of Bobby Gladd, a music writer whose blog is really interesting. Today, he posted these photos and more along with a story about the gig and said, “…these are seven top-shelf cats seriously throwin’ down (btw- their day gig is with Tom Jones).”

We don’t know what’s real and what’s not — you’ll have to wait for the official word from Tom’s official website — but we’ve been hearing for the few weeks that the word is that Tom’s new CD, contrary to announced dates, will be released in the UK in September (15th? 17th?) and here in October.

This means, one would assume, a new set list will be unveiled for a UK promo tour next month. Don’t know if it’s just a media thing or if there’ll be concerts. We’ve heard there’s one private gig there at least in September, so maybe they’re taking advantage of that to promote Gemini.

We also hear that the CD will get a full court press in the US, with appearances on all the daytime and late night shows (maybe, even, Rachel Ray?). Whatever, we hope that this work is positioned in the US marketplace as much more than just another import, rather than an importANT US release as it should be.

Can’t wait to hear official word either way.

Meanwhile, tonight and next Saturday, you can hear Herman Matthews & Friends in Las Vegas. Promises to be terrific. If you’re in town, you should definitely try to be there. We must add that, contrary to popular belief, the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM is not “old,” “classic” Las Vegas. If you want a taste of that today — that kind of intimate lounge setting where so many great, great acts got their start — you’ll find it in very few places. The Bootlegger Bistro is one of them: 24/7 food, drink and gaming, with lots of celebs dropping in (the Sopranos guys love it). It’s warm, intimate and fun.

The scene was not unusual for an opening night at the MGM Grand on Thursday. Tom was looking good, trim, healthy and elegant in black (We’d guess wearing them in the summer heat ruined the red and white jackets.) There was a good crowd, there was the usual audience member who — loud and demanding — tried to be the show. There was the usual set let.

What was unusual was the presence of Sgt. Deborah Galan in the audience.

We’ve met Deborah before on this site. A fan, she had posted a comment in April and we began corresponding with her. For Tom’s June 7 birthday, we asked you to send donations to Operation Care, the charity our soldiers in Afghanistan started to provide essentials for Afghani children near their post in Baghram.

When we first corresponded, Deborah said she’d like to acquire a mission flag for Tom. This is an American flag flown in combat and the presentation of one is considered quite an honor for the recipient.

Well, last night, home in Las Vegas on leave from Afghanistan, Deborah made her presentation to Sir Tom Jones.

The American flag, tightly folded into a triangle, came with three certificates, each attesting to part of the flag’s history. It had flown on seven missions, including rescue and recovery missions and search and rescue missions. Each pilot signed the appropriate certificate.

Also presented was a photo on a certificate showing the flag flying on the base. It had flown for 9 hours and 11 minutes.

Deborah also gave Tom a pair of cuff links she had made for him out of London Blue topaz.

She presented the flag backstage after the show (see photo) but, during the show, she made a deep impression on us.

Sitting with Deborah — and her mother Ramona and brother David — the point was driven home with great clarity how we all can listen to Tom sing and, of course, hear the words but not necessarily absorb them. Yes, when he sings Green Green Grass of Home, those of us who are living far from the place we consider our home may get a bit wistful. And of course, it’s always interesting to see the Welsh people in the audience react to the song as if it were written by a Welshman specifically about Wales. But, in truth, nothing prepared us for Deborah’s response last night.

No drama, no noise. Sgt. Deborah Galan just quietly wept through the entire song — so happy to be home and, having seen so much death and destruction, deeply appreciating what we have here.

Support of the war is immaterial when we realize how we love and support our troops and, in fact, how lucky we are to have them.

Deborah who, when she can, performs as a Selena impersonator, is returning to Afghanistan on August 12. Before she goes there will be a big party in her honor but, then, it’s back to a place where her warmth and generosity of spirit mean so much. If you’d like to help Operation Care, you can send packages of children’s clothing and toys to: Sgt. Deborah P. Galen, 382nd MP Detachment Law & Order, Bagram APO AE09354 or you can email her at deborah.p.galan@afghan.swa.army.mil.

We wish her the very best — a safe journey and a joyous return home.

First (and probably the last), Canadian Idol news video at TomJonesInternationalVideos. It’s a nice interview, so enjoy it!

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Tom opens tonight at the MGM Grand for two weeks and we’ll have a report (and some news) tomorrow.

We also want you to know that Herman Matthews & Friends will be making their Las Vegas debut this weekend at the Bootlegger Bistro here in Las Vegas.

Note: This is not a Tom Jones gig, this is just Herman and the guys. More on this Saturday. If you want to attend either week, reservations are suggested. Call 702/736-4939. There’s a full late-night menu available.

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Here’s a story about by entertainment writer Jerry Fink from today’s Las Vegas Sun.

Tom Jones show just the beginning of drummer’s night


By Jerry Fink/Thu, Aug 7, 2008 (2 a.m.)




When Herman Matthews finishes drumming behind Tom Jones he’s pumped and ready to keep playing.

That’s exactly what Matthews and some fellow band members will do at a couple of late-night gigs at the Bootlegger.

Jones tonight will begin a two-week engagement at the MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theatre. After the Welsh singer’s shows on the next two Saturdays, Matthews and Friends (the name of their away-from-Tom Jones band) will play for free at the South Las Vegas Boulevard restaurant from about 11:30 p.m. until the wee hours of the morning.

Jones may drop by, or he may not.

“If Tom wanted to come out and join us, he would be most welcome,” says Matthews, who has worked for Jones for six years. “But if he doesn’t, that’s OK.”

Odds are he will. He’s a late-night guy and after his performances he often pops up at local clubs to do a little impromptu vocalizing, sometimes till dawn.

Matthews’ band has seven members — six of them are also in Jones’ 11-piece band. Matthews’ band features guitarist Brian Monroney (Jones’ musical director), saxophonist Kenny Anderson, keyboardist Frank Strauss, bassist Ric Fierabracchi, trombonist Mike Turnbull and trumpeter Bill Churchville.

Matthews doesn’t do a late-night gig with his group everywhere they perform, but he says in Vegas it’s convenient.

“We’re there for two weeks at a time without a break, so I had an idea to get the guys together to do something else, play the music we want to play,” he says. “It is jazz, but my kind of jazz,” says the Houston native, who has been drumming since the age of 7. “Being from Texas and being the kind of drummer I am — a meat and potatoes kind of guy — I work from the ground up. The musicians are improvising over my groove, a soul, grass-roots kind of thing that’ll make you feel good. Sort of like the Jazz Crusaders (a ’60s group that fused jazz, pop and soul).”

Matthews has worked extensively with Kenny Loggins, Stevie Wonder, Richard Marx and Tower of Power. When he isn’t with Jones he might be found with Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts Band, in the studio or working other gigs.

But Jones, at 68, is a tireless performer who works 32 weeks out of the year, so Matthews doesn’t have a lot of down time.

“He’s wonderful, a great guy to hang with,” Matthews says. “Of all the vocalists I’ve worked with, he’s one of the best.”

Matthews decided to do a jazz gig at the Bootlegger because of its Old Vegas feel.

“That appealed to me,” he says.

Details: Herman Matthews and Friends, 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Aug. 16; Bootlegger, 7700 S. Las Vegas Blvd.; 702-736-4939; free; and Tom Jones, 8 p.m., through Aug. 20; Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand; $92.40; 891-7777

First, some old business. We have video from the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City last Friday, when a fan got onstage with Tom during the encore. If you want to see it, it’s posted at TomJonesInternationalVideos. Look for some great footage of the band. We’ve added a permanent link in the sidebar at right to our video blog, so they’ll be there and easily accessible.

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As we all know, Tom premiered the first song to be heard from his upcoming CD, Gemini last night on Canadian Idol. If you missed it, here is If He Should Ever Leave You. Video is in the post below.




Speaking of video, we have some of the other parts of last night’s Idol show. These are clearly taken right from a TV set and we thank the fan who went to all that trouble so all of us non-Canadians could see all that Sir Tom did on the show.




First up is the contestants singing Green Green Grass of Home.




Next is the contestants doing a kind of nice, slow, bluesy version of Delilah. We wonder if these kids have the life experience to do justice to the lyrics but the slow arrangement is kind of interesting.




Finally, it’s Sir Tom coming out at the beginning of the show to sing It’s Not Unusual. Note the judges standing and dancing.




Don’t forget, please continue to let us know what you think of the song. We’d suggest you listen a few times and, then, let us know. And you can add your opinion to the comments on this post. Thanks!

©photos courtesy of Canadian Idol/CTV

Wearing a new burgundy suit with black velvet lapels and a black turtleneck, Sir Tom unveiled the first single from his new CD which will be called Gemini.

The song, If He Should Ever Leave You, was well-received by the audience. It is to be the first single release from his new CD which he characterized as having a “retro” feel. We think it’d be great if he added it to his setlist on Thursday, don’t you?

In other news, falling into the “Rumor or Reality” category: We hear Git Me Some is not on the new CD. Also, Tom is not playing Westbury, but will be in Atlantic City this winter. He will, we hear, be touring Europe to promote the CD and will be making the talk show rounds — daytime and late night — here in the USA. Remember, nothing is official until it’s announced on tomjones.com.

Please let us know what you think of the song.

Now a report from Fay, our correspondent on the scene: “You could Tom was really anxious to get out and sing. I was looking for him, I could see him champing at the bit to get out and sing. He came out and sang It’s Not Unusual and did his dance moves — jumping up, swiveling his hips. The audience was going cra-ZA-zy! You can see the judges standing up and dancing.

When the new song was on, there’s a lyric that says, “The curve of your waist” and everyone flipped out. I was amazed that people were listening to the lyrics. The crowd ranged in age from a two-and-a-half year old in a stroller to the elderly parents of a producer who looked to have a backstage meet-and-greet.

In person, Tom looked like a million bucks. He’s trim and seemed so happy. And, as far as the audience was concerned Sir Tom could do no wrong.

Here’s video of Tom on Canadian Idol last night and tonight. (Listen for that great laugh during the interview.)

©Photos courtesy CTV