Tom Jones International

Hi, all: I’m back from Palm Springs, company’s gone and I will really focus on the calendar now. So, if you have any photos, hurry and get them in! If they’re similar to the ones below, then we are all in luck. Meanwhile, have a happy, safe Halloween. (To those not in the US, it’s a very big deal here, although last night Jimmy Kimmel pointed ot that in an attempt to stem the tide of H1N1 virus, nothing works like having children go door-to-door and take candy from strangers.)

In the newest edition of Las Vegas Weekly, actor Malcolm McDowell — star of the Kubrick classic A Clockwork Orange and, lately, a star of the terrific HBO series Entourage, is interviewed as he’s in Las Vegas for the http://tomjonesintl.com/?p=14524&preview=trueweekend. He talks about lots of things, including his plans for a Halloween costume. (He really has none.) But he does mention that, “My five-year-old son Beckett—and it’s perfect for Vegas—he’s obsessed with Elvis and Tom Jones. If I could get Tom Jones to come to the house and have tea, he said he’d give [Tom] his favorite surprise. I said, “And what is that?” And he said, “A cookie.” But what child goes around singing It’s Not Unusual around the house? It’s wild.”

It may be “wild,” but this is clearly a kid with good taste.

These are five of the eight portraits of Sir Tom found in Britain’s National Portrait Gallery. Note the sharp outfits in the two photos near left….the pants worn with the orange-trimmed jacket have orange pinstripes. So very cool, as are the patterned cuffs.

Here’s what they say about him.

Notice anything incorrect?

“Sir Tom Jones (Thomas Jones Woodward) (1940-), Singer and entertainer

Sitter in 8 portraits
Welsh-born singer. Worked as a bricklayer and salesman before gaining his first recording contract in 1964. Came to international prominence with It’s Not Unusual (1964), followed by hits such as What’s New Pussycat? (1965), Green Green Grass of Home (1966)and Delilah (1968). Revived his career in the the late 1980s with A Boy From Nowhere (1987) and again in 1999 with the album Reload with hit singles Baby It’s Cold Outside (with Cerys Matthews) and Sex Bomb (with Mousse T).

Of course, what’s wrong is the middle name. But, no matter. The important point is Tommy Woodward, son of a coal miner from a small town in Wales, is included in this august institution.

Tom is in Antwerp tonight. If you are, too, please send a review!
On October 21, a few days before Tom played in Belfast (see Adam’s review of that show, below) Alan Simpson interviewed The Voice on BBC Ulster.

The 16+-minute interview covers a range of topics: (1) Arthur’s Day, (2) playing Las Vegas as opposed to playing, say, Belfast, (3) that Welsh lilt, (4) listening to other bands (5) Robbie Williams…..lots of stuff.

You can listen to it in the TJI.com Video Library. The photo there is of Alan Simpson.

CONTEST! The photo at left is a screen shot from a youtube video posted by London’s 02 Arena (at which Tom was the first performer to appear, even before it officially opened and at which he did that charity gig on 9/11) because they’re having a contest.

The promotional stuff is below but, to enter the “O2 Hunt for a Ticket competition,” watch this video, find the codes in the video and enter your code at o2priority.co.uk for your chance to win vouchers for tickets to any O2 Academy venue.

The press release:O2 is launching a multi-million pound campaign to promote the benefits of Priority Ticketing for O2 customers. Following the success of last year’s campaign, O2 will again be going above-the-line to encourage customers to sign up for Priority Tickets alerts. Priority Tickets are an exclusive benefit for O2 customers that gives them the ability to buy tickets for gigs and events across the UK, including all the gigs at The O2 and O2 Academy Venues, up to 48hrs before general release.

The “This is Priority” campaign, developed by VCCP, features some of the hottest artists in the music world, including Johnny Borell (of Razorlight), Pixie Lott, Florence Welch (of Florence and the Machine), Tinchy Stryder and Tom Jones, with more stars due to feature in future adverts. The campaign aims to bring to life the excitement and feeling of being at a live music experience by showing these artists on their walk from dressing room to stage. It gives the audience an insight into a part of the live experience that they would never normally see, and dramatizes the feeling of the exclusive access they get to live gigs and events thanks to Priority Tickets from O2.

Sally Cowdry, Marketing Director at O2, commented “Our customers are our priority and we look to offer experiences that are unique and truly valued. Priority Ticketing is key to this strategy. We know how much our customers value the opportunity to get tickets for their favourite acts before anyone else – and because of this it’s an important driver for brand preference. This campaign aims to not only increase uptake amongst our existing customers, but also raise awareness with potential new customers.”

O2 customers can see all the priority experiences available to them on the O2 Blueroom.

With a photo from the Belfast Telegraph comes this lovely review of the show from TJI friend Adam McTeer. Sincere thanks to him……

Tom Jones review Odyssey Arena Belfast Tuesday 27th October 2009

Boom!!! “I’ve got male intuition. I got sexual ambition….”

There he suddenly appeared with the opening of Sugar Daddy. The Voice was finally back!! A long wait to attend my seventh Tom Jones concert was over and the near-capacity Odyssey Arena in Belfast filled with rapturous applause and screams as Sir Tom began another one of his superb shows.

Song after song Tom and his band give it their all, to the delight of the audience. From Delilah to She’s A Lady to Hard To Handle and to Take Me Back To The Party there was a definite click between Tom and the crowd that — although I noticed it at other shows — at this one was supercharged even more.

Tom Jones and his band last night was at his best I ever seen them. The sound was 100 percent and I don’t recall seeing even one technical glitch. It’s a credit to everyone involved in his shows from top to bottom. This is the third time Tom has appeared in the Odyssey Arena, he other two being October 2006 and mid-2003. Tom also mentioned how he enjoyed playing in the
Kings Hall in Belfast years ago and he remembered first playing in the Boom Boom Room over here in 1966.

I couldn’t pick a favourite song of the night as every song was superbly performed. I even liked the current version of Stoned In Love. Watching previous shows of his current European tour on youtube of this song doesn’t do it justice. It’s still great to hear it in person and I loved it.

Near the end of the show, when it came time for songs like Kiss and Sex Bomb, the people in the crowd couldn’t contain themselves, and in this seated-only venue everyone was standing on their feet while they fed off Tom’s energy. At the end of the show Tom looked as full of energy and excitement as if he was just starting the show.

So all in all, I’d rate tonight’s Tom show as the best of all the ones I attended over the past ten years. The setlist was spot on and I can’t wait till I see him again. Tom Jones give Belfast a night to remember last night and we thank him for that. See you next time Sir Tom!!!

If you missed it, be sure to check out what Bono has to say about Tom and Sugar Daddy in the post below!

The Belfast review makes some excellent points, from the headline at top through the entire piece — until he uses the awful “c” word in the last sentence. The review from the The Telegraph of Tom’s show in Brighton (which ran the photo posted here) is full of (grudging) admiration of this gifted man and nasty remarks about his fan base. Here in Las Vegas — and everywhere else, from what I’ve seen and read — his audience may be older than, say, that of The Killers, but there are plenty of younger people, too. It’s just so easy to take shots at the 40-70 age range. Maybe they’re just loyal and have good taste in music. As for “old enough to know better,” he should lighten up. Finally, we always say that, as in the first review, Tom “doesn’t take himself too seriously” and I believe that’s a slight misstatement. I think he takes his singing — his gift, his job — very seriously indeed. It’s his image with which he has fun. The reason for the inclusion of the audio from Cardiff (and every stop on this European tour) is explained below. Finally, I don’t understand why The Telegraph reviewed Tom’s show in Brighton and The Times his Cardiff show. They’re London media. Why didn’t they review his only London gig Saturday night at Wembley?

Timeless Tom Jones bridges generation gap with Belfast gig
Odyssey Arena, Belfast

Wednesday, 28 October 2009/Damien Murray/Belfast Telegraph

It’s not unusual to begin to show your age as you get older — unless you are Tom Jones.

The singing legend best described as ‘The Voice’ hit town again last night to a rapturous response from his adoring fans and — having attended many of his concerts since his first visit here in the 1960s — it did seem unusual that he now appears to be more comfortable with his mature looks than ever before.

His physical appearance may have changed slightly, but his powerful vocals remain as strong and impressive as ever as he set the tone for the evening (while sending himself — or, at least, his perceived image — up) with the Bono/Edge opening song, Sugar Daddy.

Totally relaxed and with a tongue-in-cheek approach, the Welsh warbler doesn’t take himself too seriously, as he has nothing left to prove in a career that has spanned five decades.

With a knack for reinventing himself for every generation and a rare ability to cut across all generations and genres, this crooner remains one cool dude.

For the Brighton review and to hear Tom sing Take Me Back to the Party live, click to (more…)

TJI has reviews and the random story from Brighton and Dublin (and of the incident — not involving Sir Tom — at the VIP party after his Dublin show) but I thought the story below was more newsworthy and I’ve been so anxious to tell you about it since Friday. So, tomorrow we’ll go back to reviews and we also have an audio interview for the next few days.

First, some background: As a journalist, I’ve wanted to interview Bono for a very long time. When I knew he would be in Las Vegas, I put in my request and his PR people — like those of so many other celebrities — didn’t deny the request, they just didn’t respond. Now, Bono’s is not alone….lots of PR firms do this to all sorts of writers and media outlets. The lesson for a journalist? Expect nothing and be surprised if you even get a denial. (And, I want to make it clear, I am not referring to Tom Jones’ people. If they deny an interview, they inform the journalist. As far as I’ve heard, they may not grant it, but they don’t just ignore a media request.)

Anyway, if I’d gotten the interview with Bono I’d have asked him about his major world issues, the Nobel Prize, the work he and The Edge are doing on the Broadway show Spiderman and, of course, about Tom Jones and Sugar Daddy. But I didn’t get the interview so I couldn’t ask all that.

Until Friday afternoon, October 23, that is, when I got to ask one question. The others I’ll save because I live in hope to get that “real” interview.

When entering a concert venue, Bono has a practice of generally stopping to greet waiting fans. Now, the fans don’t always know where to wait, but they try their luck and, sometimes, they get lucky.

So, there I was Friday at about 4:30 in the afternoon, outside of Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas standing with my daughter, Ruth, and her friends. There were crowds of fans scattered around the vast grounds. Behind a chain link fence across the access road from where we stood, about 200 fans were waiting. The gate in the fence was open to the access road where the car was likely to come in. Looking back, I realize the spot where all those people were standing was directly behind the stage, so it was logical to wait there. Being somewhat illogical, I guess, Ruth, her friends and I — about 15 of us — were behind a simple barricade.

For the rest of this post, two exclusive sound bites and a couple of worthwhile links, click here to (more…)

If you’re seeing Tom in Dublin tonight (or Belfast tomorrow) please tell us about it. Also, nothing sure, be TJI heard Tom is supposed to be on Italian television next week, although for now we’d have to file that under “Rumor or Reality.

TOM MAKES SONG AND DANCE

26th October 2009/By Nigel Pauley/Daily Star

SINGING legend Sir Tom Jones has revealed he loves the X Factor – but would never appear on Strictly Come Dancing.

Sir Tom, 69, cast his vote on the battle between the two shows by backing Simon Cowell, 50, over Bruce Forsyth, 81.

The veteran sex symbol said: “X Factor is good to watch. I would definitely do it if I was a young singer.”

But he said there is “no way” he would follow boxer and fellow Welshman Joe Calzaghe, 37, and go on Strictly.

“You’re not doing your own thing, but following a dance you are given. Besides, it looks too much like hard work.”

Note: On November 16, 2008, to mark the release of 24 Hours, Tom appeared on the Canadian version of Strictly (photo above right). On the show, where they incorrectly announced the forthcoming CD would be called Gemini, he debuted If He Should Ever Leave You. He also appeared on Dancing With The Stars, the US incarnation in September 2006.

AND! News of the World, The Hotel Phoenecia and Air Malta have teamed up so you can win tickets as well as airfare and hotel to see Tom in Malta on Sunday, November 15.

To win, just answer this question: Tom Jones had a hit with the following song: A) Love Bomb B) Sex Bomb C) Stink Bomb

Email your answer to win@notw.co.uk, along with your full name, address and a contact number (preferably a mobile). All entrants must be aged 18 or older.

Hopefully, those of you who saw Tom at Wembley Saturday night will send a review and,of course, TJI’s looking for online and newspaper reviews. Meanwhile, I’ve been meaning to post the information below. If you are lucky enough to go, please share your experience. Finally, my discussion with that guy from U2 will, I hope, get posted for Monday. Waiting for, perhaps, some video and definitely a photo or three. Again, apologies for the delay. Sometimes one just gets really busy, y’know?

London’s National Portrait Gallery — a great place to go anyway — now gives fans of 60s music a special reason to visit:

Photographs go pop in Beatles to Bowie show

By Sue Steward, Evening Standard /12.10.09

The subtitle to this autumn blockbuster, “the 60s exposed”, carries a whiff of sex’n’drugs’n’ rock’n’roll revelations. In fact, it is a nostalgic, impressive documentary marking the rapid changes in pop, contemporary design and photography between 1960-69. A shot of press photographers in raincoats waiting for the Beatles at York Station, by Northern photo-journalist, Ian Wright, epitomises the generation gap.

Each year of the decade, occupies an exhibition space that includes a vitrine-decorated like a Sixties teenager’s bedroom with record covers, signed portraits and leading pop magazines, Rave and Fabulous. Opening pre-Beatles, the silk-suited, Elvis-quiffed Billy Fury, Cliff Richard and Adam Faith are still lodged in Fifties America then everything explodes into pop, psychedelia, rock, mods and soul boys, and the music industry discovers modern marketing, experimental typography and myriad photographic styles.

Old masters such as Norman Parkinson come on board (shooting the Beatles at Abbey Road in deck shoes and slacks), and Angus McBean is keyed into Modernism with hand-painted backdrops to his portraits. Publications chart the new psychedelic lettering and acid colours, designers imitating photographers such as David Bailey. His iconic portrait of Mick Jagger in a parka occupies his personal enclosure. The experimenters were at their peak: Gered Mankowitz making meticulously artfully composed pictures with The Rolling Stones, and Vic Singh experimenting with prism lenses to match the Pink Floyd’s psychedelic music.

Of the many now overlooked but outstanding photographers represented, Fiona Adams is best-known for the leaping silhouettes of the Beatles, and her lack of credit for the cover of their EP, Twist and Shout. Light years away, Tony Frank took Tom Jones back to the Welsh Valleys and produced the most lyrical shot in the show.

If you’re bored with the glut of Sixties exhibitions, think again: this magnificent collection draws the line under the era — until a new generation discovers it.

Until 24 January, 2010 (www.npg.org.uk, 020 7312 2463).

Saturday, 1:29 a.m., PDT: Sorry the post promised on facebook has been delayed. But it’s worth waiting for. We may even have video. Thanks for your patience! — Ellen

If you haven’t seen them, check out the Bournemouth reviews and the fan review from Manchester in the two posts below….great photos!

So, here we are again. TJI — clandestine and under cover — has made the Welsh press once more. I am thrilled that this site is on their radar and I congratulate mharding for his most witty comment that was reprinted by them. It’s about the post that deals with …A Bit of Tom Jones?. I did write to the journalist at the Western Mail and asked him to please, in the future, name (and, perhaps, link to) ” Sir Tom’s largest fan website.” Don’t you think he should?

There’s a space under the article for comments and a link to the article is just below where it says “Western Mail.”. You’ll see that, thus far, one person made a point about Carol M. calling the film “crap,” writing: “I don’t think an American is entitled to refer to the cinema of any other country as cr**, given the previous years of their film making.” That person has a point, as does the individual who commented on the “size of the package on the table.” Have fun and join the fray. And the name of the cinema manager is delightfully Dickensian, isn’t it?

Tom Jones fans up in arms over new film about star’s manhood

Note: The same article is often syndicated to each individual newspaper in a media group. Thus, this article, with slight variation, appears in three papers. Oct 22 2009 by Nathan Bevan, Western Mail

A CONTROVERSIAL new comedy featuring a plot about two friends who acquire dismembered body parts belonging to Tom Jones in a pub deal has come under fire from the legendary singer’s fans.

The Valleys-based caper A Bit of Tom Jones? – which receives a cinematic release across Wales next month – has triggered anger from subscribers to Sir Tom’s largest fan website.

One outraged Jones fan called the 2007 Tredegar-filmed movie that stars, among others, Torchwood’s Eve Myles, Loose Women’s Denise Welch and Mighty Boosh comic Matt Berry, “a sick nightmare”.

Other fans were similarly outspoken because the risque storyline revolves around a black market trade in the 69-year-old’s dismembered private parts.
Click here to (more…)

For another Bournemouth review and a fun fan review from Manchester, be sure not to miss the post below this The review below comes with the wonderful photo on the left and the memorable quote above. Oddly, it’s for a women’s website but was written by a man with clear disdain for Tom’s fans, although he took that great photo on the left below. And that last line, after a rave, makes no sense: “…just about justifying the £50 ticket price.” Either it was or was not worth the £50.

Live Review: Tom Jones @ Bournemouth International Centre/*****

Tuesday 20 October/femalefirst.co.uk/review and photos by Andy Squire

With flowing golden hair and a dress that gives the appearance of having legs for miles, Florence Rawlings faces an unenviable challenge. Tonight, in front of 6,500 Tom Jones fans, she has been charged with opening the show.

Anyone doubting the ability of a 21 year-old to support such a legend is immediately humbled as Rawlings shows off her incredible voice. Somehow, the scenario just doesn’t seem right.

It’s like watching TV on mute, with the radio on full blast. The soulful sounds coming from Rawlings doesn’t fit her look or age, seeming to suit someone quite a bit older. This isn’t a bad thing for even a second, and turns out a very solid performance.

Then, onto the man everyone has come to see. To describe Tom Jones as a legend is comparable to labelling the Pope as ‘quite religious’. After all, his career spans four decades, with arguably his most famous track “It’s Not Unusual” being recorded in 1965!

Opening with Sugardaddy, a song that Bono and The Edge from U2 penned, Jones shows that he still has it. Scratch that. He never lost it.

Jones easily wraps the audience around his little finger, taking a command over proceedings and dictating the tone of the evening. As a result, and perhaps as no surprise, the concert was punctuated with notes of sexual innuendo and flirting. Of course, the fact that he is now at the magical age of 69 is a good enough reason as any to tease some of the grinning women in the arena.

To describe Tom Jones as a legend is comparable to labelling the Pope as ‘quite religious’.
Hit after hit was knocked out, with full crowd participation. Never has so many swayed their arms in unison than during “Why Delilah“, and continuing on to newer songs such as Momma Told Me Not To Come and Sex Bomb.

Witnessing 50-something year-old women throwing their knickers on stage was perhaps the lowlight of the evening, but on the whole an amazing show, just about justifying the £50 ticket price.

Tom Jones, BIC, Bournemouth

8:23am Wednesday 21st October 2009/By Neal Butterworth/Boutnemouth Echo

ANYONE who stayed in the bar ahead of Tom’s remarkable return to the south coast missed a real treat in 20-year-old support act Florence Rawlings.

Like Katie Melua, she’s a protegee of songwriter Mike Batt and she grabbed her opportunity with both hands, showing off a terrific set of lungs and a band that complements her soulful and expressive voice.

No song outstayed its welcome and now she’s above the radar, expect to hear mainstream radio champion her undoubted talents.

Tom might be old enough to be her grandfather – for goodness sake the man is 69 years old – but he never ceases to amaze every generation that turns up to let that voice grab them by the ears.

And what a voice it is, veering from bellowing Welsh dragon to silky-smooth soul superstar.

Like all the greats, he’s managed to keep his core audience – many with their own bus passes like him – and at the same time grow a younger, even more adoring crowd through his chameleon-like changes of direction in the past two decades.

So much so, that at this grand old age, the staples of his live act – It’s Not Unusual, She’s a Lady, Green, Green Grass of Home and Delilah – merely serve to remind us of his early years, while Kiss, Sexbomb, You Can Leave Your Hat On and his collaborations with today’s stars serve to stir the souls of many more of his fans.

For the rest of this review and for Si’s review from Manchester, along with some good photos he took, click here to (more…)