Tom Jones International

Today we have more vintage video. This time it’s Tom on Breakfast TV in April 1987. The interview is a nice one (but is missing the very beginning where she’s asking Tom about what drew him to Matador and picks up in the middle of his response). I think it’s striking that he is always soft-spoken, gentle and has a good sense of humor. And— for better or worse — he’ll always answer any question he’s asked. (There’s no “worse” here; the thought just occurred as I was writing.)

All this promo material for Matador makes me wish more than ever that A Boy From Nowhere stays in the show past the European tour. Frequently — and sadly — songs don’t make it to the US stages because whomever makes those decisions think fans don’t know them and the audiences here won’t like ‘em. Wrong on both counts and that policy deserves a revisit.

I was fortunate enough to be in the audience when he sang the song — in response to an audience member’s request — in 2005 at the MGM Grand and it was absolutely breathtaking. Every fan deserves to hear it. That time, Tom and his musical director Brian Monroney were alone on stage and they were about to do What Am I Living For (another great song). The audience member asked for A Boy From Nowhere and something struck Tom. He thought quickly and asked Brian, “Can we do it? Do you know it?” Brian nodded and Tom explained that “Matador is the story of the Spanish bullfighter El Cordobés (in his best accent, Tom pronounced it “El Cordo-bey”) and Brian played those first five very haunting notes and Tom began to sing. As he got into the song, the rest of the band and the singers drifted back onto the stage and joined him so that, by the end, there was a heartbreaking swell of sweet music until Tom sang the last few words very, very quietly. It was, in the original meaning of the word, absolutely awesome.

Meanwhile, you can watch this quietly charming interview in the TJI.com Video Library.

For a newly published interview with Sir Tom (more…)

TomJonesInternational was created as a website for all fans of Tom Jones with the only rule being that everyone is treated with respect and the material here deals only with the professional life of Tom Jones. Since the beginning, contributions from all of you have been welcome and I’ve found so many Tom Jones fans to be very generous and anxious to share their memories and memorabilia.

Thus (in no particular order), Chas and Rosina have added good video from the Rockwell concert, along with a terrific review of the show. A Swedish fan, at the urging of our friend Ollie in Finland, has sent a review of Tom in Sweden. Those will be posted soon. Mary contributed raffle tickets, Patti one of Tom’s ties and other material. Others — some of whom have dropped by the wayside — have also contributed along the way. In so many ways this is a community of fans.

As mentioned before, Pat and Norman have sent video and what they have sent adds up to hours and hours of TJ on TV from the late 80s through the late 90s. It is amazing and I am absolutely knocked out by their generosity in sharing their video and their time.

My problem finding the time to post convert it into a postable (is that a word?) format. I’ll do it bit by bit and it’ll be posted over the next several months. There’s that much and it’s that good and worth waiting to see.

Meanwhile, a few months ago , Dre — who is also very generous and keeps me alerted to new TJ stuff on the internet — asked if I have a copy of Tom’s episode of Duck Dodgers. I do, and it’s lots of fun. Duck Dodgers, which is now being shown in Bulgaria, is in reruns elsewhere. Each show had two stories, each lasting approximately 22 minutes (a half-hour TV show in the USA is 22 minutes of show, eight minutes of commercials).

I first knew Tom was on it — actually first heard of it — when I was visiting some of my favorite people on a Saturday morning. I later learned that every time the show would come on TV — in New York at 11 am. Saturday mornings on the Cartoon Network — my favorite child of age 18 months would hear the theme and make a beeline for the TV. He’d stand there listening to Tom sing, smiling. Then his brother, aged 6, would watch the entire show. When the theme came on, I was not by the television. The boys’ mom called me, “Ellen, isn’t that Tom Jones singing?” It was and he kept millions of kids entranced in every show. He actually “appeared” in one episode.

It was called Talent Show A Go Go and it was episode 4, season 2. It aired August 14, 2004.

So, until I make some time to make some DVDs suitable for posting, please relax and enjoy Tom Jones, Daffy Duck and the rest of the crew in Duck Dodgers.

You can watch the it in the TJI.com Video Library.

Tonight Tom is in Denmark again. TJI is expecting one review but, the more the merrier. If you go, please let us know how it is. And, if you didn’t have an opportunity to visit TJI over the weekend, please check out the wonderful websites linked to in the post just below (you don’t have to read the rant) that are also linked to the page TJI Likes These Links.. And scroll down a bit further for the link to the ficker set from Arthur’s Day. For those of you fasting today, may it be an easy one or, if you are logging on after sundown, may it have been an easy one.

The date: April 10, 1987. The show: The Last Resort with presenter Jonathan Ross. Tom is there — smartly dressed in leather — to promote Kiss and it is a lovely 11+ minutes.

And, as MHarding points out in his correct comment (so I changed the headline on this post) this is where The Art of Noise first heard Tom sing Kiss and subsequently asked him to record the song with them. (You see, I don’t mind being corrected at all; I do mind being incorrect when it comes to facts. So, thanks, MHarding.)

Whenever you see TJ and Ross together you just know they like each other and are having a great time. It’s true today and it was true over 20 years ago.

One of the things I’ve said (and written in that terrific JTV tribute book) is that I believe that Tom Jones is so good to his fans because he’s a fan himself. Just listen to him speak of Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis. Just watch him with some of the great guests he had on his show (Sammy Davis, Jr. comes to mind). He enjoys watching his favorites just as you and I do.

That, according to an article in The Independent by Michael Collins on December 12, 1998, the same is true for Jonathan Ross.

It says, in part, “Someone once wrote that Jonathan Ross was the only talk-show host, apart from Parkinson, to have a genuine interest in most of his guests. This still remains the case. …he never uses every moment of an interview as a cue to deliver a punch-line created by a cast of scriptwriters. And the bigger the name before him, often the better the interview. Although he is synonymous with irreverence, you never forget that he was once, and still remains, a fan. In the early days of The Last Resort, it was as though he couldn’t believe his luck as he embarked upon a duet with Tom Jones.”

Although the duet mentioned above isn’t on this episode, Tom sings Great Balls of Fire and Kiss and chats with the host. He even tells the “pump up the tires” story. You can watch the it in the TJI.com Video Library.

I hope you will all join me in thanking Norman and Pat who — unasked; all on their own — have been sending terrific video of Tom from the 80s and 90s. These are transfers to DVD from VHS and i really appreciate the time and thoughtfulness that went into it. I might edit it, but I’d have nothing to edit if it weren’t for them.

This post consists of three notes:

First, addressing a mean-spirited rumor and — with apologies — a rant about a certain type of fan:

Note: I posted the photo here of Tom at Glastonbury — a photo you may not have seen before — to thank you for tolerating the rant just below. If you don’t want to read this — and I certainly won’t hold that against you — just skip to the blue type below. Good stuff there. Thanks!

Introduction: I’m writing this because, in preparing to write a column elsewhere about fans, I’ve naturally been thinking about fans. I won’t only be writing about TJ fans — I’ll also write about fans of Phantom, Manilow, U2, Springsteen, etc. But it’s Tom’s fans with whom I mostly deal and, in the last couple of days what one has been saying for the last six weeks or so — and stuff another’s been posting elsewhere for way too long — that has really ticked me off. It’s kind of a perfect storm of aggravation (at what she’s been saying) and necessity (to think about the column I’m writing) that has occasioned what’s just below. Here, I won’t address the other aggravating fan issue — the nasty, false and malevolent things posted on one particular discussion board, except to say that I’d like to see the prime offender ignored. Don’t argue as that feeds the fire. I will, instead, address what I’ve been told by people with whom one individual has talked.

I’ve heard from four people in the last 10 days or so that Tom will no longer play here in Las Vegas. One person told me yesterday and, another, today. The last one said she heard the rumor from someone who had it “on good authority.”

The person who started this story — who has no authority whatsoever — took the fact that Tom’s US band wasn’t going to Europe and that his January MGM dates aren’t posted and twisted those facts.. In an attempt to upset me that did not work, she even told me last month, “It looks like [Tom's] future in [Las Vegas] is uncertain and no one knows where he will be playing, if anywhere, next year.”

Bearing in mind that nothing is engraved in stone, I want to put that story to rest as much as I can.

First, despite what this person is claiming, someone who would absolutely know the truth told several people (including me) that Tom will be here in January. Clearly, the person spreading the story wasn’t included in the telling (and, clearly, you can see why). The MGM Grand people will tell you that Tom is expected to play here in January. They’ve not posted anything, and for now tickets to Hollywood Theatre shows are available through December 31st only.

But there is a vast difference between spreading this story and — as TJI has done and will continue to do — telling people not to spend money on travel plans until you see tickets on sale. The person spreading this rumor has loudly announced many times that she is “over” Tom, never wants to see him again, etc. Of course, when another fan said after a show just last month, “Why are you here? You told me in March you would never come to see him again,” she ignored the question and will undoubtedly continue to turn up at shows like the proverbial bad penny, glaring at other fans and spreading her malignant misery.

People who say things like this (and those who write other garbage on various forums and discussion boards) are just very negative and, most usually, very unhappy. They find it ever so much easier to try to make others, who too often believe what they read, very miserable . One has to wonder how these people can — with straight faces — call themselves “fans.”

Anyway, please! DO NOT BELIEVE these rumors about Tom. For some strange and very creepy reason some people get pleasure out of twisting a plain fact and then repeating their lie as if it were truth. Doing so seems to give them satisfaction. It’s upsetting to many, many people. Those who talk most about “knowing” Tom and all he’s doing are not the ones who do. The people who really know are generally circumspect, respectful of Tom’s privacy and of other fans. It is pretty much a good rule to follow that the people who say they know everything actually know nothing.

Of course, this “no appearance in Las Vegas in January” could turn out to be true; probably not. We just have to wait and see about next year and ignore the people who want everyone to be as unhappy as they are. But, please, let’s be optimistic.

Second: Take the time to visit some websites and share your thoughts here about these realy top-rate musicians:

Five of the people who backup Tom in the US have really good websites. The other seven don’t have websites that I could find. The sites contain gig info so you can see them in your area when they are there; bios; music samples, etc. This is a very impressive group of musicians and I look forward to the time when the others launch sites so we can visit those.

For now, the sites that are up (in alphabetical order by last name, as it should be done) are:

Bill Churchville whose site is chock-full of info and extremely well-designed. Love the ashtray on the homepage.
Ric Fierabracci, is a Grammy®-nominated bass player whose site provides a look at the career of a master musician.
Herman Matthews has a website many fans have visited. I love his music — know it well — but I also love his journal.
Brian Monroney has a site that, like the others is fun to look through. I particularly enjoyed his bio (he can write prose as well as music).
Tony Reynolds’ new site that’s still a work in progress allows visitors to hear Tony sing his own versions of lots of songs. There, it’s not Tom Jones’ backup guy, it’s Tony Reynolds doing his own thing — and doing it very well.

Each site has a “contact” link. If you enjoy it, you can use it to tell the musician you do.

Finally, if you missed hearing The Tom Jones Story on BBC Radio last week:

The BBC Radio site has taken down last Saturday’s broadcast of the Rob Brydon-hosted bio of Sir Tom. You can still listen to is by following the link here. As noted when it was posted, you can download it and listen over and over if you wish. (Or you can bookmark it and listen that way.)

TJI has a new flickr set called Sir Tom Leads the Worldwide Celebration of Arthur’s Day. One sample is here. Check out the other 29 photos. Enjoy!

Tonight Tom is in Malmö, Sweden. TJI wants to wish Florence Rawlings, his terrific opening act, the very best on her 21st (!) birthday. What a career she has already!

Ticket giveaway! You can win a pair of tickets — and free parking — to see Tom at the LG Arena at the NEC in Birmingham UK on Sunday October 18. You simply have to go the the internet entry form at the Express and Star website and answer the question: “Tom Jones recorded in 1965 the theme for a James Bond film of the same name. What was it?” Deadline for entries is October 2. Good luck!

Tonight Sir Tom is back on tour, with a stop in Jonkoping, Sweden, But, last night must have been a memorable one for him; one where he was surely honored to be chosen — although he’s not Irish — to kick off a worldwide celebration And, just as surely, he had a ball. Congratulations to him and to Arthur!

Tom gave the main, kick-off toast at the event — followed by toasts around the world — and then, one news source reported, he “broke into a rendition of It’s Not Unusual. During his set, as he needed to “wet my whistle,” as he says, he asked if anyone had a Guinness for him, instead of water. Someone in the audience volunteered a pint and he took it and placed it with his water on the stool on the stage.

Tom Jones rocks Dublin to celebrate Guinness’ birthday

Sep 24 2009/WalesOnline

Global celebrations to salute the world’s most famous stout kicked off in style tonight with Tom Jones leading the toast with pints of Guinness in Dublin.

As millions of people saluted the birth of the brew, a host of stars jetted into the Irish capital to add a touch of glamour to Arthur’s Day.

At 17.59, Jones, the star of the show, opened the night-long celebrations to raise his glass at the St James’s Gate brewery to commemorate its founder, Arthur Guinness.

The atmosphere was electric as 2,000 ticket winners from all over the world crammed into an old warehouse and spread the tide of toasts around the world.

Minutes earlier on the red carpet, the singer admitted that he started drinking Guinness shandy* as a child at home with his father.

But he said it was fantastic to be invited to perform at the Dublin celebrations.

“Irish people are great, they’ve always been good to me and I’ve always enjoyed coming here,” he said.

“The best place to have Guinness is in Ireland.

“When you are in the place where they make it it’s the real deal.”

The Welsh star also revealed that his best way to cure a Guinness hangover was to down another one.

But he told reporters he liked “a hairy dog”… laughing as he realised he had mixed it with up a hair of the dog.

[*Moderator's Note: Guinness Shandy is a drink of half Guinness and half lemonade. I, personally prefer ad lovely Black-and-Tan]

While we wait and hope for better video (It was broadcast on TV), here’s a bit of video. First, there’s an interview Tom did from the WalesOnline website. Then, some B-roll** of the main event in Dublin. First, Ronan Keating introduces Sir Tom who makes the 17:59 (exactly at that minute) toast. Next, is Sir Tom on the red carpet and, following that, a short clip of him singing It’s Not Unusual. He said he’d be performing for about an hour so, hopefully, we can get some of that. Finally, because I like him and for my daughter (not the one who likes Kiss), I included the a toast that was on the video. The quintessential Dubliner, Bono, saluted Sir Arthur. Unfortunately U2 is on tour (tonight they played Giants Stadium in New Jersey) and couldn’t be there.

[**Moderator's 2nd Note: B roll is extra video shot as filler. This, as you can see at the beginning, bears no copyright but the quality is nowhere near what we'd like. In fact, you can tell from the still just above he looked phenomenal, not all fuzzy and pixelated like he does on the video. Oh, well, until we get more, this will have to do. So, enjoy!.]

You can watch it here.

As usual, if you cannot view it, please drop me note using the “Contact TJI” link at right and I’ll send it to you.

OOPS! Almost forgot! At 5:59 GMT, you may want to raise your glass to salute Arthur (Guinness, that is) as the celebrations begin in Dublin. Tom is joining a raft of celebrities there and around the world to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Guinness. If you happen to be lucky enough to get there, let us know and do have fun!

The nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010 were announced today. Among them is Darlene Love, formerly of The Blossoms whom many of Tom’s fans know. Not among them was Sir Tom Jones. I don’t know if it would have worked, but I had happened upon a strategy to reach some of the nominating committee members.

I realized that just about every singer whose fans want to see him or her inducted sign petitions, “vote” on websites or send form letters or postcards. This is all done in good faith but, from what I’ve been told on very good authority (being a journalist helps in cases like this), it all makes what amounts to a lot of noise and — sadly — doesn’t seem to accomplish anything. I was hopeful that the strategy I found (that took about three years to figure out and implement) might succeed. It was to have been acted upon the end of June and, as you may know, there were some very major issues with the website at that time. Then July came and, with it, visitors, vacations and so on. Then it was too late for this year.

But, with the very generous help of Renn, SusannePDX and Tisha, everything is ready to go. So, come June (or, maybe, May) you’ll hear about it. Meanwhile, congratulations to Darlene Love and I am happy my older daughter is happy about Kiss. But ABBA? Oh, well, to each his or her own and I do know one person who actually cried when Mamma Mia! closed here. Well, as Mets fans have to say way too often, “Wait ’till next year!” And, please, if you choose to comment on the Hall of Fame, do not comment negatively about any of the nominees. They all have fans who feel about them the way his fans feel about Tom.

At any rate, there’s some video of Tom in Stockholm singing Sugar Daddy and Sex Bomb.

Sugar Daddy is the opening number and you’ll quickly realize the massive changes to the way Tom comes out on stage (yes, he uses his legs; I’m talking about the intro). You’ll also quickly become aware of the new arrangement for Sex Bomb. The video isn’t great — bootleg stuff from the audience — but you can hear it just fine.

You can watch the it in the TJI.com Video Library.

And, if you want to watch it, here’s video of Tom singing Green Green Grass of Home in Oslo Wednesday night. You’ve heard the song and the video is shot from way back in the auditorium. Nice but nothing new. And, here’s some strange stuff: There are a few videos from Scandinavia (of songs we might like to see) that were posted — sideways! Why would anyone do that?

First, some website housekeeping details:
You may notice a subtle design change on TJI and with the TJI logo. We — the site designer SuPeR K! at — and I, your moderator, believe this makes TJI more accessible and easier to navigate. And all the colors match, too. It’s worthwhile to take a minute to check out SuPeR K’s! site using the link above or the link at the bottom of each page. Be sure to look at samples of his work. He’s terrifically talented, very creative and, if you ever need a site designer or graphics person, keep him in mind. (Of course, you don’t have to live near him. These changes were done while we were talking on the phone.)

As part of this subtle redesign, the Where’s Tom & When’s He There? page has been moved. It’s now the last item in the “Features” section of the sidebar at right. I’ll need your help to keep it up, so please let me know via the “Contact” link at the bottom of the sidebar if you read of an upcoming gig. I’ll try to keep it as accurate and as up-to-date as possible with links to buy tickets where I can find them. I look forward to the day when the former link for Tom’s tour dates can be restored.

Five years ago Monday, September 21, 2004, Tom, Jools Holland and Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra gave a concert at London’s Hammersmith Palais to promote their new CD. The BBC took the concert and edited it down to one hour for broadcast. Luckily, a fan who was there — seats were awarded by random drawing — sent a me recording of the entire show. The sound is a bit echo-y but the content is wonderful. They’re having fun and the audience is, too. There are even some not-from-the-album moments on there. Since this is one of my favorite Tom Jones recordings ever, I was very happy when Shelvis sent the scan of his ticket to the show — he came from Germany to see it — and the reminder that it was five years ago. Thanks to him and thanks, too, to the fan (who shall be nameless) who sent me the recording.

You can listen to all of the 90+ minutes of it in the TJI.com Video Library.

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WAIT, PLEASE! before you navigate away to listen to it, why don’t you take a few minutes to read the news below (and, if you live in the UK, to write if you wish)?

With Sir Elton John loudly proclaiming his stance in favor of legislation that would deprive some downloaders of the right to connect to the internet and Tom having been named in print as being against the law, there’s a statement on tomjones.com saying those reports are false….sort of. He’s “awaiting clarification.”

Their statement says, “There have been recent articles in the British press (Sunday Telegraph, Business section Sept 13 and various others) that state that Tom Jones is a supporter of illegal downloading via his membership in the Recording Artists Coalition. This is a completely false assumption, and Sir Tom vehemently denies supporting the idea that music should be freely supplied to everyone on a massive scale. Artists, musicians, producers and all who are involved in the creation of music are entitled to earn a living from their efforts and need to be paid for their services by those who partake in the enjoyment or use of their creations. We are awaiting clarification from the RAC [Recording Artists Coalition] as to their precise position on this contentious point. We are disappointed that no official mission statement has been forthcoming from the RAC and may deem it necessary to withdraw Sir Tom’s name if there continues to be a lack of clarity of their standing on the issue. “

My understanding is that no one is asking that “music should be freely supplied to everyone on a massive scale.” They’re asking for much less. The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), which claims Sir Tom as a member, says, “The focus of our objection is the proposed treatment of ordinary music fans who download a few tracks so as to check out our material before they buy. For those of us who don’t get played on the radio or mentioned in the music media … peer-to-peer recommendation is an important form of promotion.”

Whether or not Tom belongs to this group, if you’re interested it’s worth considering the issue. You can do a bit of research on it by googling “Lord Mandelson music downloads.” Decide for yourself.

If you’re a citizen of the UK and have an opinion on this, you may want to express your views to Lord Peter Mandelson, the First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills and Lord President of the Council, who’s shepherding the legislation through the approval process. The email is enquiries@bis.gsi.gov.uk. Just put in the subject line something like “proposed legislation about music downloading.”

To settle the issue, one very clever blogger suggested the two knights — Sirs Tom and Elton — square off in a joust.

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Another bit of video: Mika sent this link to a video of Tom in Stockholm this morning. It follows a short commercial. Love the smile with which he finally graces the fans. Just think! All that work to gain recognition! All that work to get away from those who want to be near you! Kind of sweet, sad, charming…..

Hi again! Just added another video here. A 1:39 interview from Outside Lands in which Tom says he’d like to do “an international” music show. Let’s tell VH1! You can watch this interview here and you can note how even the camera operator was taken by those oh-so-expressive hands. Thanks, Dre.

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Tonight Tom’s in Stockholm, tomorrow in Oslo and, for some odd reason, back in Sweden on the 25th. If you get to any of those shows, please send a review. And, if you didn’t read them, don’t forget to check out the terrific fan reviews from Helsinki in the post below!

Tomorrow on TJI the remembrance of a special concert with 90+ minutes of audio and a news story. Thursday, hopefully, I’ll be able to share my special project with you.

As you read first on TJI several weeks ago, Tom is not moving back to the UK. He says so in the interview below.

At the time this speculation began, TJI thought he’d probably stay here because (1) the source was a British tabloid and (2) the guy likes his sun. Then, two very good sources confirmed that he’s not moving. Now, Tom himself says it.

When the rumor was first floated, someone noted that there are many people in the UK who suffer from what one woman explained to me is called “Tall Poppy Syndrome”* and are jealous of his lifestyle in LA, feel that he’s abandoned him and believe US fans think they’re superior because he lives here. That’s ridiculous.

As noted when the rumor arose, it doesn’t matter where he lives to anyone but himself and his family. As long as he’s healthy and continues to perform, nothing else counts.

Note:Mika sent the photo of Tom signing autographs this morning in front of his hotel that appeared in a Finnish newspaper. The Getty Images photo below by Tim Whitby taken at the Brits ran with the first article below in the newspaper. I posted it again because I know just about everyone — including Sir Tom himself — likes it a lot. And I just felt like it.

Here is video of Tom singing Kiss in Helsinki. It may not be great video but there’s a new arrangement (do you like it?) , new clothing and notice what he does when he sings the lyric, “I know how to undress me.” He does — nothing!. He just continues to sing. I for one am very pleased and hope that’s a permanent change. As usual, if you cannot view it, please drop me note using the “Contact TJI” link at right and I’ll send it to you

*(Tall Poppy Syndrome is defined in Wikipedia as “a pejorative term used in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada to describe a societal phenomenon in which people of genuine merit are criticized or resented because their talents or achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peers.” Fancy words aside, I’d just say it’s jealousy, pure and simple.)

Tom Jones: I would have been on the X Factor

Maureen Coleman/Monday, 21 September, 2009/Belfast Telegraph

Tom Jones has revealed that he would have auditioned for The X Factor if the talent show had been going at the start of his career.

The legendary Welsh singer said he believed shows like The X Factor provided the ideal platform for young people to showcase their singing skills and admitted he was a fan of the talent show format.

Speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph, Jones, who now lives in LA, said: “I watchTthe X Factor when I’m in the UK and American Idol when I’m back in the States.

“I think The X Factor is a great stage for young people to get on the box — as long as they are prepared for it. Shows likes the X Factor really throw them in at the deep end.

“The old way was to do a few gigs first, get yourself a recording contract and then do television. Shows like The X Factor, American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent are watched by millions of people and the winners can hit the big time very quickly.

“I’d definitely have gone for The X Factor if it had been going when I was starting out. I did lots of auditions in the early 1960s and my first television appearance was on a talent show called Donald Pearce Presents. Was I ready for it? I was dying for it. I’d been singing since I was a kid, it’s all I wanted to do.”

Jones, who will perform in Dublin this week as part of the Arthur Guinness 250th anniversary celebrations, said he was amazed at the confidence shown by many X Factor contestants.

“Sometimes people will audition for a talent show who have never sung outside their front room and I just can’t understand how they’re not more nervous than they actually are,” he said.
(more…)

TomJones.com announced the members of the “new band.” They are: Gary Wallis on Drums; Alexander Meadows on Bass; Peter Honore on Guitar; Toby Chapman on Keys 1; Chis Papendieck on Keys 2; Abbie Osman as Backing Vocals; Janet Ramus as Backing Vocals; James Hunt on Saxophone and Brass Selection Leader; Henry Collins on Trumpet and Trevor Mires on Trombone. Don’t know what “new band” exactly means (just Europe? every gig?) but these are the members. And it’s nice that Tom’s management has identified them, thus recognizing their importance to the show.

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We really are so very lucky. Olli and Mika, two fans from Finland (whom, I suspect met because of being TJ fans) sent these terrific reviews of a terrific show. I hope all of you share my gratitude to them for doing this especially for us. As I said, we are lucky!

The setlist is in some ways very different and, if you don’t want to know what was omitted and added, Mika provides what we call in the USA a “spoiler alert,” that I put in bold type, so where you see that, if you don’t want to know the setlist, don’t read that part.

And, as far as the setlist goes, it sounds like terrific news — fresh and interesting. After all, every favorite couldn’t be included even if the show were to last four hours. Now, it’d be great if Tom would keep the setlist when he comes back to the US. It seems that the people who make the decisions about such things have no sense of the USA fan knowledge and that so many of us actually have heard Take Me Back To the Party, (from the international release of 24 Hours), miss hearing If I Only Knew and love A Boy From Nowhere. Let’s hope the setlist is rethought for all the venues around the world. After all, fans would love the change and more casual show goers will just enjoy seeing Sir Tom.

The close-up photo was sent by Mika who found it online. Top left, the photo is by Olli. All the others are Mika’s.

Thanks, guys, when you get to Las Vegas, I know lots of other fans who’ll be happy to buy you a drink (or, in Olli’s case, a nice dessert, as he’s too young to drink here).

Here is Olli’s TJ “virgin” (first-time show goer) review:

Sir Tom Jones, The Man, The Voice, The Master

Sunday night my dream came true, and I saw Sir Tom for the first time. I’ve been a fan since I was six or seven and now I’m 19. There were lots of Finnish celebrities, singers and so on, at the show.

Well, the event started with Florence Rawlings warming up the crowd, which took 30 minutes. Then it was another 30 minutes to get stage ready for Sir Tom.

Everyone was clapping and cheering already before Tom was there. Then Sir Tom in GREAT SHAPE, AND, YES, LEATHER JACKET AND JEANS, CRAZY! He started with SUGAR DADDY! ! mean he is singing SUGAR DADDY!!! Can’t remember order but, then If He Should Ever Leave You, 24 Hours, (photo at left) Never, Give A Little Love, In Style and Rhythm etc, Songs that surprised me, THUNDERBALL, If I Only Knew, BOY FROM NOWHERE, Stoned in Love, Take Me Back To The Party (closing song) and then one soul song whose name i cant’ remember (That’s funny cos I’m a big fan of soul music so — shame on me. Of course, he did all the classics — I’ll Never Fall In Love Again, Shes A Lady, Its Not Unusual, Green Green Grass Of Home and another country song before that and, then Kiss.

He sounded and looked great, there were little technical and other little problems but, hey, it was first gig of the tour so it’s okay.

And sorry it was pretty late and I’m tired but i wanted everyone know, how was it…Mika is also writing review, i think he does better job with it!!

I’ve seen it all, and now I can die happy. I’m of course looking forward to the UK gig with Mika And The pictures are pretty shaky but i did my best..

— Olli

Here’s Mika’s review:

Well where would I start? Maybe it’s best to try to tell all just in chronological sequence. I met Olli before the show and had a pint with him. Olli and I both brought our parents to see Tom. What a great way to unite with the generations.

For the rest of this review, two more photos and the complete setlist, (more…)