Tom Jones International

Back from vacation with a great deal to do to catch up, plan the future and learn all the new stuff on my computer, I wanted to thank you all for your patience over the last week or so. To do that, I found a clip someone sent from the MGM Grand earlier this year (or maybe last year; cannot remember*).

Tom was onstage and he decided on a moment’s diversion — adult diversion — so he asked if the audience would like to hear a joke. Guess what they said.

It is an adult joke so if you’re liable to be offended, don’t listen. (Although I cannot imagine anyone who visits this site actually being offended.) Bear in mind please that it was recorded in the Hollywood Theatre during a show — I don’t know with what or where the person who recorded it was seated— and it’s a bit fuzzy.

Anyway, here’s the sound bite of the joke and the explanation of how he heard it.

Enjoy!

*Yeah, yeah, I know that the “memory’s the second thing to go,” but, with the exception of the voice memo on my phone, I don’t own recording equipment and really don’t know much about it. I’m not hedging the facts. I simply do not know and while trying to organize files I just found this.

Tom and Robbie Williams appeared together at the 1998 Brit Awards (photo at right).

In 2003, Tom won a prestigious Brit Award for “Outstanding Contribution to Music.” Robbie Williams, at that time an LA neighbor couldn’t be there for the award presentation and, thus, sent a taped tribute. Since then, Tom has said that he can see Williams playing him in any filmed bio.

Williams has moved back to the UK, but this video is a reminder of his esteem for Sir Tom.

As usual, if you cannot view it, drop me an email and I’ll send it to you.

Thanks to Ann for the use of the computer so, even though I can’t post a photo, I can post news from Virgin Media:

Tom Jones to play music therapy gig

Tom Jones and Razorlight are among the acts confirmed to play charity gig O2 Rockwell.

Robert Plant, Joss Stone, Ronan Keating, Gabriella Cilmi, Beverley Knight and Lulu will also play at the gig on September 11 at London’s 02 Arena in aid of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy charity.

Joss Stone said: “I can’t wait – it’s a great cause and will be a wonderful event; Tom Jones wants me to sing with him so I’m really looking forward to duetting with him.”

(more…)

[Moderator's Note: I'm still away from home and am very excited that my computer is going into the shop for an upgrade. So, I don't know if there'll be a post tomorrow, but you can use the time to explore the TJI Video Library, follow the "Links We Like" and, perhaps, learn about "Tom's Musical History." Sorry for any inconvenience that may occur.]

ITV Wales, following up on the success of the all-Welsh collaboration of Tom and The Stereophonics on Mama Told Me Not to Come, did a three-part story on the making of the recording.

It, of course, includes seldom-seen footage and interviews.

You can watch all three parts in the TJI.com Video Library.

In 1994 Tom appeared at LA’s new House of Blues. The next year there was a TV special about it on which he also appeared.In 1994 his well-received CD, The Lead and How To Swing It, also came out in 1994.

Some reviews from that time are below:

“Some leather-clad longhair and I danced and screamed like a couple of tipsy housewives on an annual girls’ night out. Normally, you’d have to hold a gun to my head to induce this kind of behaviour, but I guess that’s the magic of Tom Jones.” – Lorraine Ali, Rolling Stone, Request Magazine poll of best live shows in 1994 (Billboard: Tom Jones at the House of Blues, 10/94)

“Tom Jones proved . . . that he’s edgy, way cool and a total crowd- pleaser even when the crowd is more accustomed to his labelmates Nine Inch Nails. His new audience wears Doc Martens, not Dr. Scholl’s. From songs by Lenny Kravitz to the Black Crowes, Jones showed himself to be an absolutely unique animal: a rock-song stylist. This is not this year’s MTV-friendly Sinatra or Tony Bennett. Jones has moved from pop to bona-fide rock, a talent no one thought he had during his decades of singing wimpy love songs to blue hairs.” (- Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn, The Hollywood Reporter)

“The antithesis of Tony Bennett . . . Tom Jones has sustained his [credibility] – 30 years after It’s Not Unusual – by keeping up with what’s new, musically, without embarrassing himself. Audience reaction to the super-energetic set was ecstatic, enough so to drown out the high-decibel chattering characteristic of House of Blues audiences.” (—Todd Everett, Daily Variety )

One of the songs he did at the HOB and in his shows then was It’s Your Thing. Lampie sent us video of the HOB appearance (not of the TV special) and you can watch the it in the TJI.com Video Library.

This is from TMZ.com, a site that can be really nasty but is always seems to like Tom.

According to his website, Tom’s concerts between July 24 and 31 (along with previously announced Casino Rama and Beacon dates) are postponed. They says:

“Singer Tom Jones regretfully announces the postponement of the following engagements:

Sir Tom contracted viral bronchitis whilst on tour. He continued to perform with the infection, which has affected [sic] the function of his voice. His specialist doctors have now ordered complete vocal rest for a prescribed period of time. There are no underlying health problems and Sir Tom is looking forward to a full recovery very soon. He is deeply sorry for any inconvenience caused and very much regrets disappointing his fans. An announcement will be made soon regarding the rescheduling of the dates.”

As we recall, Tom first contracted the bronchitis in May. Note, too, that the Biltmore Festival, for example, is a one-week series, Bethel Woods is seasonal and the Wolf Trap season runs only until the beginning of September. This would tend to make “rescheduling” an issue for this year.

But, if rest is what Tom needs, then I’d imagine fans are grateful he’s getting rest.

Meanwhile, some diversion: Tom back in the day (right) — the 1960s — with The Squires singing I Can’t Stop Loving You.

If you cannot view it, drop me a note via the “contact” link at right and I’ll send it to you.

TJI has heard from two sources that Tom is headed back to California and the shows in Boston, Hyannis, Woodstock, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia are canceled.

Remember, it’s not official until you read it on TomJones.com or hear it from the venues. (But TJI believes it’s true and the rest at home is for the best.)

We’ve heard from the people at Foxwoods that Tom’s show Friday night at the MGM at Foxwoods Friday night is canceled. If we hear more we’ll let you know. The venue is saying the cancellation is “due to medical issues.”

Get well soon, Sir Tom!

Tomorrow night Tom is at Foxwoods. Lots of fans/friends are headed there. Meanwhile, this was posted on TomJones.com today. It’s the official word to the public: “Most unfortunately, Sir Tom had to cancel his sold-out show at the Beacon Theatre in New York last night (July 21). He is suffering from vocal chord [sic] stress related to the residual effects of a bout of severe viral bronchitis that forced the cancellation of 2 shows in Canada last week. His specialist doctor in NY ordered complete vocal rest to avoid the possibility of any further damage to the chords [sic]. There are no underlying serious problems; this is a type of virus that commonly affects [sic] the general population. Tom apologizes and deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to everyone who held a ticket for the show, and is looking to re-schedule the date in the near future — watch this space for an announcement soon.”

BBC One invites its audience to take a Walk On The Wild Side with a brand new comedy series that seeks to provide a long overdue forum for the views and opinions of the animal kingdom. It’s a world of hip hop-loving badgers, dieting pandas and a marmot called Alan. They and a whole bunch of other characters come together in this new show, which combines comedy with jaw-dropping natural history footage.

Caroline Wright, Executive Producer, BBC Entertainment said: “Walk On The Wild Side is a potent mix of amazing wildlife photography, a fantastically talented group of comedy writers and performers and an amazing furry cast. Who could ask for more?”

From BBC ONE comes a preview of their autumn line-up, including at least one show with Sir Tom guesting. (Doesn’t say anything about Gavin and Stacey.)

The series features the vocal talents of some of Britain’s most promising new comedians, including Jason Manford (Live At The Apollo, 8 Out Of 10 Cats), Isy Suttie (Peep Show), Steve Edge (Phoenix Nights, Star Stories) and Jon Richardson, combined with remarkable footage from the BBC’s Natural History Unit.

Special guests will include family favourites Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Barbara Windsor, Stephen Fry, Richard E Grant, Rolf Harris and Sir Tom Jones. The regular cast comprises Pal Aron, Rhod Gilbert, Sarah Millican, Harriet Carmichael and Harry Peacock.

Walk On The Wild Side was commissioned by Jay Hunt, Controller BBC One, and Mark Linsey, Controller Entertainment Commissioning.