Tom Jones International

The fourth in the collection of DVDs from This Is Tom Jones will be released by TimeLife April 7, one week from today.

In addition to lots of Tom, the 77-minute DVD features performances from three shows and includes the Bee Gees, Mama Cass, Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66, Lynn Redgrave. John Denver. George Carlin and Tim Conway are also featured. Tom sings (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay, All Right Now, What’s New Pussycat? and other tunes.

To sweeten the pot and encourage orders through TJI.com, the good people at TimeLife are giving away eight CDs of music that influenced Tom Jones. If you order by April 30 you will be entered to win one of these: Jerry Lee Lewis: The Original Greatest Hits, AM Gold 1967 (three copies), AM Gold 1965, Living the Blues, Classic Love Songs of the 60s: Sealed with a Kiss or Elvis: Songs from the Movies (3-CD set).

So you can preview the DVD, we’ll be posting short clips from the product for the next three days. Today, we have Tom singing What’s New Pussycat and Dock of the Bay. It’s vintage Tom and it’s terrific.

To order, click the link at right. Note: Be sure to put in the promotion code “PUSSYCAT.”

TJI will make a small commission on each DVD sold via the link and that goes to support this site. So, in advance, thank you very much.

Because TimeLife ships only in the US, we’ve added the amazon.com link to the sidebar. Scroll down to find it on the right.TJI.com gets a very small commission from amazon.com, too. And, really, every bit helps and every bit is appreciated.

Sir Tom and the gang have recently been to Albany and, soon, they’ll get to another garden spot in Central New York.

They play the Stanley Center for the Arts in Utica June 20 at 8 pm. Tickets are priced at $100 (Gold Circle is 60 folding chair up close in the pit and Rows A through E), $60 (front orchestra and loge), $50 (back orchestra and middle balcony), $40 (upper balcony) and $27 (side balcony). The venue seats 2,963. Phone orders cost $3.50 extra to process.

You can pre-order tickets now by calling 315-724-4000. Tickets go on regular sale Saturday, April 4 at 10 am EST.

Sunday night’s was a happy crowd — smaller than Friday and Saturday — but enthusiastic nonetheless. Again (this is getting repetitive) Tom looked and sounded great.

In the audience was José Carreras, one of the Three Tenors, and Tom acknowledged him graciously. Other than that, it was strictly business. Nothing thrown, little interaction. Tom reacted to his audience, but wasn’t drawn into any conversation or sthick. But, that’s OK. When the business is Tom Jones singing, and the only interaction one could reasonably desire is between the man and his music, there’s no quibble there at all.

The intro, before Tony comes on the rev up the crowd, is still jarring. A guy at the next table was heard to ask his friend, “What the hell is that?” when he heard the sound of what’s supposed to be old-time, radio static between sound bites of songs from 24 Hours.

The audience clearly loved him. Several waved glow sticks during Delilah and, even, I’ll Never Fall In Love Again. When he sings Never, there’s a musical bridge in the middle and watching him during that time — especially knowing the song is about his voice — proved very interesting. It’s a great number and a very welcome addition to the show. When he does the standards Fly Me To The Moon and Ol’ Black Magic, it’s nice to hear him acknowledge the originators, Frank Sinatra and Billy Daniels, respectively. Our group, however, again noted how they miss Here’s That Rainy Day. Although it was recorded and performed by a laundry list of great pop and jazz singers (including my beloved Ruth Brown) Tom truly made it his own. When he did it, the song was stunning.

For the record, not one tiny — or large, for that matter — undergarment was tossed onstage and, while he smiled at the huge candy Sugar Daddy a fan held up, he didn’t pause from his singing. The latter action, by the way, is a clear indication that fans who really know his music want him to add that song. I wonder if Bono or The Edge or, for that matter, Tom, were aware of the candy Sugar Daddy when the song was written.

In all, a solid show — not quite as exciting as opening night, but opening night is always especially exciting. Tom is in fine form, looking and sounding as if he can go on forever. And, again, the consensus is that he’s looking younger and fitter every day.

If you were there, what did you think? And, after he closes this run at MGM, there will be a rundown/discussion of what some fans have been thinking and writing about Tom lately — things both wrong and rude….and we’ll ask why.

On June 23 Tom’s at Look Park’s The Pine Theater in Florence, MA which, located near Northampton, is closer to Hartford, CT and Albany, NY than to Boston. On June 24 he’ll play the State Theatre, New Brunswick NJ

Tickets are not on sale for either show but they’re both on tj.com, so they must be scheduled. Keep checking the links above.

Below is a late review from Sandy who couldn’t send it until now. It’s from the first two nights of this run. There’ll be more later or tomorrow from more recent performances. Lots of fans who post here are arriving tonight and hopefully we’ll get to meet at the show. Have to say that, once again, Herman Matthews and Friends scored big last night at the Bootlegger. There’ll be more on that, too.

We have been privileged to see Tom Jones in concert several times in the last few years but opening night at the Hollywood Theatre was the best so far. If I thought letting my hair turn white would make me look 10 years younger & put a new spring in my step I’d do it!!

Sir Tom exploded onto the stage ready to share his talent & enthusiasm & he did without letup for the next 1 1/2 hrs. I always enjoy sitting with newbies as they are always tentative at first, seemingly not sure they should even be there, but it doesn’t take long to pull them into the magic. The young couple this night proclaimed Tom “a true superstar” & left with big smiles, along with the rest of the audience.

All the new songs are a welcome addition to the show, especially, “In Style & Rhythm” & “Seasons”. But thats just my opinion, others have their favorites. The lights are fabulous, with constantly changing colors, only sweeping the audience once, thank goodness. Thank you Sandy Battaglia!!

I can’t say enough about the musicians & singers. They all seem imbued with new energy & the girls & Tony dance non-stop.

The 2nd night, going by myself, I decided to try to exchange my seat in Row D for a closer one & got Row B, Booth 105. Had no idea this was a favored seat until I got home & read this site. It was excellent. I agree — I have sat stage side & that’s about as close to Tom as you can get, but sit further back & you’ll get to enjoy the whole show. The brass section is a hoot!!

Photo: Kevin Sullivan/OC Register

It’s been a point of (very) minor frustration* to many of us who live here that many of Tom’s fans come to visit and never leave the MGM Grand — even during the day. That is a real pity because there’s a lot to see here in town without traveling to the Grand Canyon. It’s got a lot of natural wonders, museums you’ll find nowhere else (Liberace Museum? Atomic Testing Museum?), interesting attractions (Ethel M Candy and Cactus Garden with amazing M&M flavors and a Lucy and Ethel-like conveyer belt) and probably the best shopping in the world.

Some fans, we know for a fact, venture out during the day and — even — in the evening. There are other wonderful shows to see. Now, before you get upset, it must be said that with the economy the way it is and with tickets priced as they are, we local fans — with one glaring exception — do not go to the show every night. Sometimes, we stay home. Sometimes, we do other things.

Friday, my good friend Ursula and I went to see impressionist Gordie Brown’s opening at the Golden Nugget downtown where, if you go, you’ll also see the world-famous Fremont Street Experience (an absolute must-do). The last time I saw Gordie was not, in fact, onstage. It was in the audience at Tom Jones’ show at the MGM.

There are two factors that set Brown apart from other impressionists. First, is his range — Bono, Green Day, Tony Bennett, Bruce Springsteen, Jack Nicholson, Coldplay, Elvis, Robert DeNiro, Jim Carrey, Al Pacino and Tom Cruise, among many others. Second is the fact that he does their songs but puts in his own appropriate words. (What he did with Sir Tom’s material cannot be printed here but it was funny and included something about Tattoo from Fantasy Island.)

He is also a very good caricaturist (see sample here) who started out doing political cartoons in his hometown newspaper, the Ottawa Sunday Herald in Ontario, Canada.

His is one of many fun, worthwhile shows. And it’s doable. With hotel rates at an all-time low, consider arriving a couple of days before Tom begins a run or staying a night or two after he closes. You won’t regret it. If you cannot bear to miss a night with Tom, there are plenty of afternoon shows from which to choose.

*It wouldn’t have been mentioned except for (1) what a good time we had at the show and (2) how Gordie Brown impersonated Sir Tom.

And, no matter who you see tonight, don’t forget Midnight Music with Herman Matthews and Friends — Bootlegger Bistro, 7700 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702/736-4939.

To promote the Midnight Music series at Las Vegas landmark Bootlegger Bistro, Herman Matthews — whose group Herman Matthews and Friends was the lead-off talent in the series — and the Bootlegger’s Ron Mancuso (Ron is the dark-haired guy in the photo at right with singer Louie Merlino who still sings when called upon at The Bootlegger. The photo is a couple of years old but their group — Beggars and Thieves — is still performing.) — were interviewed the other day by David Berns, host of the daily public affairs show State of Nevada that is broadcast on KNPR in Las Vegas.

The interview dealt with the caliber of musicians we in this city are blessed to have every day and, quite rightly, used as an exemplar the amazing guys who play with Tom Jones and Ron Mancuso whose life has been a life in music and who, as a result, is both talented and knowledgeable — especially about the Las Vegas music scent. You can hear some fine music, including Herman’s song, Hold On You from his CD Home At Last.

Dave and a staff member were at the Bootlegger last Saturday to hear Herman and each is planning to return this week and to bring a group of friends.

You can join Ron along with Herman Matthews and Friends at the Bootlegger on Saturday (tomorrow) at midnight.

And, until then, you can listen to the interview here.

Herman, by the way, is shown at left all dressed up for his radio interview. Check out his website and visit the Bootlegger Bistro’s.

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Yesterday the ad for Trop50, Tropicana’s new product that promises “50 percent less calories and sugar than orange juice” was mentioned here.

Dave pointed out that the woman in the ad is Kyra Sedgwick — who, he noted, introduced Tom on Men Strike Back in April 2000 (photo at left) — and a blog speculated the actor — very serious in The Closer on TV had to do the ad because she and husband Kevin Bacon were taken for $50 million by Bernie Madoff and needed the money.

Whatever the reason, she looks great and has some terrific moves. (Note, of course, that the person whose music is used also gets royalties for each airplay and it’s played quite often.)

You can see the video here. If you cannot get it and haven’t seen it on TV, send an email with the contact link on the right below and I’ll send it to you.

In honor of that occasion, here’s Tom on Top of the Pops in January, 1971, when the song was at #2 in the UK.

The Paul Anka-written tune has been used innumerable times in film and on TV. It’s latest use (in the USA) is the commercial for Trop50 orange juice by Tropicana. In it, an attractive blonde woman —Kyra Sedgewick — dances around her kitchen to the song. Cute.

*Note: Not sure if the gold record was in the UK or an RIAA-certified disc in the USA. Think it was the former. If you know, please let everyone else know. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Pop Chart in the US.

Tuesday night at the MGM Grand: What a difference a day makes. Monday he took an audience vote on his hair color (and they liked it). Tuesday, as always, Sir Tom was game but there were some technical issues onstage. He lost a couple of lyrics.

As the anniversary of She’s A Lady should remind us, Sir Tom is, lucky for us, like the Energizer Bunny. When you look around at other favorites from decades ago, you’ve gotta realize how fortunate Tom Jones — and his fans — really are.

Tuesday afternoon note: Just drove friends to the airport and they said they “peeked in” at Tom and the band rehearsing yesterday afternoon. Look for Sugar Daddy and one other number (Feels Like Music?) to be added to the show. Hopefully, while they’re at the MGM.

Monday night: So there’s Sir Tom Jones up on the stage doing his best — which we know is excellent — to entertain the audience. One woman in her 70s, as happens, decided the show was for and about her. She was talking to Tom, making some noise, when she said she didn’t like his hair gone gray. He, muttered something about pleasing all the people and asked for a “thumbs up or thumbs down vote.”

Happy to report the lady was roundly outvoted. Thumbs up ruled. They gray hair stays. (Probably would have stayed anyway.) Don’t know if, as Tom says in an article posted here, that it “turns women on.” One might imagine, however, that Tom himself is mighty relieved not to have to deal with the hair dye and the method of coloring his beard and mustache.

Now that spring break is over the casinos and shows are quieter. And that applied to last night’s audience, too.

Again, if you see a show, please review it for other fans here.

Now, for some quick silliness comes this video made by a youtube subscriber named “Tendrplace” who says, “I was just having fun.” It’s one person’s take on Sugar Daddy.

The illustration at right is not an editorial opinion. It’s used in the video and it’s more easily read here.

Please don’t forget to tell us how Tom’s doing at the MGM following the post just below.

Sorry, but I just forgot and the listing was not at all clear.

Sir Tom’s Top Gear episode — Episode #7 — is on BBC America tonight. If you’re in the Eastern time zone, you can catch it at 11 pm tonight or 1 am tomorrow. Central time it’s on at 10 pm and midnight. Mountain and Pacific time it’s on at 9 pm and 11 pm.

It is the episode listed on your cable guide as being the one with Jay Leno. Tom Jones isn’t mentioned at all. (Don’t know why, it’s just that way.)

If you miss it, you can watch it in the TJI.com Video Library. By the way, it’s posted just above the hilarious Sunday Night Project which, if you haven’t seen it you absolutely must add to your list of things to see.

If you catch it, please share your reaction.