Tom Jones International

If you’re a Tom Jones fan, you must read this! Here is a terrific review of 24 Hours by Tony Sachs from Huffington Post. The last paragraph is so true, so well-worth quoting, as his estimate of Tom Jones’ career is, sadly, so accurate. “Mighty titan” indeed!

He says, “Sadly, though, the words ‘Tom Jones’ and ‘artist’ are rarely mentioned in the same sentence. Tom’s act has long overtaken his artistry in the public consciousness, and a career’s worth of great music has been reduced to a few ’60s pop hits with the visual accompaniment of swiveling hips and airborne women’s underwear. And that’s a shame. Do yourself a service by checking out this mighty titan of pop while he still walks the earth. Pick up a copy of 24 Hours and show Tom Jones the respect he so richly deserves.”

I love Tom Jones, probably more than any heterosexual male has a right to. Sure, I love his overblown ’60s hits, his too-tight pants, his unbuttoned shirts and medallions and the impish grin that’s caused countless panties and hotel room keys to be flung onstage wherever he’s appeared for the last four decades and change.

But what I really love about Tom Jones is his ability, and his willingness, to sing just about any song in any genre. In his ’60s and early ’70s heyday, he’d do everything from Cabaret to Soul Man to Hi Heel Sneakers, often on the same album. In recent years, his repertoire has included Yaz’s Situation, the Stones’ Gimme Shelter, Iggy Pop’s Lust For Life, and Leadbelly’s Black Betty, to name just a few.

And he doesn’t just sing these songs, he beats them to a bloody pulp. You see, Tom Jones’ voice is not a subtle thing. You want delicate crooning, go elsewhere. But when you’re dealing with a set of pipes as powerful as Mr. Jones’, why go for subtlety? He barrels over any song in his path with that huge, colossal instrument of his, using his trademark mixture of soulful fervor, showbizzy schmaltz, sexual bravado and operatic hysteria.

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Many of you may have seen this, but it’s being posted because (1) many of you may not have seen it; (2) it’s very pleasant eye candy for cold winter day; and, (3) it can’t always be about promotion and new product. Sometimes it’s got to be about remembrance and appreciation.

It’s a 1983 TV interview — clearly taken from a videotape — in which Tom practiced with a kids’ rugby team he sponsored. He was in the UK for a tour.

In case you doubted it was the 80s (1983 to be exact) listen to the mention of Duran Duran. And, once again, it’s Tom — back to play Cardiff — longing for British sports and pubs.

So, here it is: Tom playing rugby.

And here is where you can watch Tom on For One Night Only singing Give A Little Love. The rest of the video content on the ITV site and the links from tj.com are all for UK audiences only — and instead of saying that, ITV says some nonsense about “operating difficulties.” Thus, they manage to be rude and untruthful in just a few words. Luckily, the unaccessible-outside-the-UK video is Tom singing If He Should Ever Leave You, which he’s done so often on shows that are accessible, so we’ve likely all seen it. But, still……

Sadly too late for the holidays but, if you click one of the links at right, you’ll be taken to the TimeLife website where, in addition to regular savings, you’ll save 10 percent when you check out by putting in the code “TOM.”

The top link at right is to all of their already-on-sale merchandise. The pages are automatically updated, so if there’s something you want, check back often. The links to Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis are there because so many of Tom’s fans love the music he loves and this is surely some of that. And, remember, gifts are fun to give and get year round.

Please note! Once you get into the TimeLife website via a link on TJI.com you can use the search box on the top of every page (shown above) to find more music, TV shows, music videos — anything they sell — and you’ll get the discount. (Of course, this applies to the three Tom Jones DVDs released by TimeLife.)

Unfortunately, this offer is only good in the USA.

If you have any questions, please href="http://tomjonesintl.com/wp-admin/post.php#" mce_href="http://tomjonesintl.com/wp-admin/post.php#"> send an email and I’ll try to get the question answered.

Fan reviews via email of Saturday night’s ITV 2 special have been mixed. “Same songs,” “too many dancers,” “no spontaneity,” “not enough Tom”….but he looked and sounded great. He introduced all the acts, although he wasn’t officially listed as host.

Tom sang Give A Little Love and, with Cerys Matthews (right), Baby It’s Cold Outside. Show host Myleene Klass accompanied them on piano.

The ever-august Guardian said, “For One Night Only (ITV1, Saturday) is hosted by another Welsh legend, Tom Jones. And Myleene Klass, whose arse Tom has his hand on throughout. I’ll just put my hand here on your bottom, Myleene, if you don’t mind, for the whole show. A bit weird, no? But to be fair, she doesn’t seem to mind. Maybe it’s OK to do that if you’re Tom Jones.”

As far as we know, this writer was the only one to observe and/or mention that. But, like the guy says, he is Tom Jones.

At any rate, you can see video of Tom and Cerys doing a non-Goth version — with their own fingernails — of Baby It’s Cold Outside at the TJI.com Video Library.

While you’re enjoying the videos in the post directly below this from the private gig at Apple Computer, it’s time to remind you that this is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, so we have to hurry to get in all of today’s possible fun. Happy winter to you all!

Tonight also marks the lighting of the first candle on the menorah so, to all TJI.com visitors who celebrate the Festival of Lights, we send Happy Hanukkah (or, if you prefer, Chappy Chanukah) wishes. Surely, Tom (although we absolutely cannot speak for him) does, too. That’s probably why he’s holding a menorah (the ritual candelabra) and a dreidel (the traditional toy top). Holding a latka (the traditional potato pancake) would have proved very, very messy.

And, because there will be some appropriate Christmas music from Sir Tom posted in a few days, I wanted to post some Chanukah music, too. Our Tom-music choice for Chanukah is rather limited to My Yiddishe Mama, a song more appropriate for Mother’s Day. So that left Adam Sandler’s Chanukah Song Part 1.

If Sandler’s lyrics are difficult to understand in the video, here’s audio only of The Chanukah Song Part 1, along with The Chanukah Song, Part 2 (where you’ll find the very insightful statement, “Bruce Springsteen isn’t Jewish, but my mother thinks he is”) and The Chanukah Song Part 3 (with a guest appearance by Rob Schneider). Immature? Yes, very. Funny? Lots of people think these songs are hilarious.

ALSO! Here’s a clip from Stephen Colbert’s holiday special, A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All where the great Jon Stewart is singing a tune called Can I Interest You In Hanukkah? to a despondent Colbert. It’s a short clip, a teaser for the show on Comedy Central Tuesday night a 10 p.m. (Thanks to the person who told me about this.)

And, those who don’t like this kind of thing on a Tom Jones site, should be assured the search for Sir Tom doing Chanukah material was massive. (By the way, if you have any Kwanzaa music from Tom, please send it along.)

The private party mentioned on this site Thursday that Tom and some of the band played Friday was at Apple Computer in Cupertino, California. The photo of Tom looking smashing in his silver boa is from that event and was taken by John Vink.(Although it wasn’t for that reason they did the gig, you should know that the computer wizardry used in Tom’s show is all Mac, so Apple is quite appropriate. Also, this site is completely Mac-based.)

They performed stuff from the regular show and some holiday stuff, including Winter Wonderland, Run Run Rudolph and, maybe, I’ll Be Home For Christmas.

The two video clips we’re posting here are not by any means good video. They’re blurry and you can’t really see the performance the way it should be seen. BUT! After looking at the essential sameness and slickness of the TV music performances over the last couple of months, seeing Tom connecting with an audience — seeing and hearing an audience screaming with approval — just has to make you smile. And, no, no one is putting down the TV productions. But this is much more rare and it’s terrific fun. It’s like you’re there at the party with them.

Here’s It’s Not Unusual and here’s I’m Alive. Also, a brief chat and Tom singing Winter Wonderland, lyric errors and all — and he always handles those bloopers very well. They’re just fun to hear.

Clearly, all involved were having a blast.

Thanks, Dre

The new review of 24 Hours is below.
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Tom was on the ITV special, For One Night Only this evening.

When it was taped — sometime in September or October probably — host Myleene Klass wrote on her blog with great restraint: “It must be the month for working with Legends as I also just recorded a show, One Night Only, with the one and only Tom Jones!! I Looooooved it! He is such a gentleman and wow, what a voice! I had to keep sneaking a look over at him as we filmed to make sure I wasn’t dreaming the whole experience!”

At any rate, the photos are from the show. We’re hoping for video, too.

(left) Glamorous show host Myleene Klass and Sir Tom may seem unphased [sic] by the sudden glittery stage shower.

But for former I’m A Celebrity… Get me Out Of Here star Cerys it looks like she’s had a sudden Bush Tucker Trial flashback and is expecting a pile of creepy crawlies to land on her sometime soon.

(right) Sir Tom Jones and fellow Welsh wonder Cerys Matthews give it some welly for the cameras as they perform a show-stopping seasonal duet.

Thanks, Pat

Kim Lønberg, president of the Tom Jones Scandinavian Fan Club sent over the complete video of Tom’s interview in Denmark that we posted December 17 (below).

Here, you’ll see Kim (far left) interviewing Tom. Note the jewelry (near left) and the red jacket he’s wearing. This interview contains some footage of Tom performing and, when Kim speaks with Tom, he does so in English. They even compare rings and crosses. Interesting.

At any rate, the full interview footage is posted on the TJI.com Video Library.

Thanks, Kim, for sending this.

Looked up the definition of the UK slang word “cheesy.” It means the same there as it does in the US — hackneyed, corny. Why are they using it in this article? Seems Tom can’t win for losing with the UK press, doesn’t it?

The Power Of Jones…

Dec 20 2008/Graham Keal And Paul English/Daily Record

For One Night Only Saturday, Stv, 8.55pm

Hot on the heels of the success of his single, If He Should Ever Leave You, Tom Jones is joined by a host of stars in a festive singalong.

Ex Catatonia singer Cerys Matthews will join the legendary star in a performance of their duet Baby It’s Cold Outside.

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I’m a Bono fan — of his music and his activism — but, if he’s truly “the Welsh singer’s No. 1 fan,” why haven’t we seen him at any shows?

EXCLUSIVE: Bono, the Welsh singer’s No. 1 fan, pens song for the belter’s CD

By JANE STEVENSON/Sun Newspapers, Canada

Have you heard the one about Tom Jones and Bono meeting at a bar in Dublin called Lillie’s Bordello?

Turns out, it’s not a joke. It actually happened.

The 68-year-old Welsh belter and panty-throwing target hooked up with the lively Irish U2 frontman “for a drink and a chat” and the outcome was a song called Sugar Daddy written by Bono and U2 guitarist The Edge for Jones’ first studio record in eight years, 24 Hours.

“I said, ‘Look, I’m starting this new album and I need some songs, so would you write me a song?’

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