Tom Jones International

Please do not forget the notice about the 2010 Calendar in the post below and don’t forget to vote!

Here is news of Tom in Newcastle. The you-gotta-look-close photo at right is from Pat. (And do check out the shirt!) The ones below are from the Newcastle newspaper. (And, for the record, in reference to the review below, Pat says: “There is a remark about knickers being thrown on stage. Well, I was in the 5th row right in the centre and I only saw one pair thrown near the end of the show.” )And his age litany with I’ll Never Fall In Love was tried out in Las Vegas in August. Apparently it worked, so he kept it in.

Pat sent this brief — but on-target, quite heartfelt and perfect coming from a fan — review of Tom in Newcastle:

I have just got in from seeing Tom he was brilliant he just gets better and better. I am just too hyped up at the moment — I don’t know how I will sleep tonight. I love the songs when Tom sang with just the rhythm section. He said that was how he sang when he started out, as it was all he could afford. When Tom sang Delilah everyone jumped up and sang it with him. He looked surprised then started to laugh and really enjoyed it. When he sang I’ll Never Fall In Love Again Tom said he was 27 when he first sang it. He sang it when he was 37, then 47 and added, “I can’t remember how old I am.” I shouted, “69!” Tom said, “69 is a good age isn’t it?” and everyone shouted, “YES!!”

It’s late so I’ll say good night now. My hands are sore from clapping. My throat is sore from — okay I’ll say it — yelling. My feet are sore from dancing and my ears in heaven from listening to that voice. My poor heart is so full. Don’t wait another three years before we see you again TOM, PLEASE!

Tom Jones thrills fans at Metro Radio Arena

ChronicleLive.com

THREE minutes and 39 seconds.

That’s how long it took for the first piece of underwear to find its way on to the stage of the Metro Radio Arena last night.

And if it seems rather unseemly that women are throwing their lingerie at a 69-year-old man then two words explain it all – Tom Jones.

For the rest of this review and four great photos of Sir Tom singing his heart out, click to

Displaying an energy and a singing ability performers 50 years younger would envy, his sizzling set brought together music from throughout his long career.

Who else could start their night by singing a song specially written for them by Bono and The Edge (even that was called Sugar Daddy) and then move seamlessly through the music of performers ranging from Talking Heads – with a particularly exciting version of Burning Down The House – to Otis Redding? There were a number of nods to his new album, 24 Hours, too.

However, it was the old favourites that really had the crowd on their feet. The man himself was trying not to laugh while belting out Delilah and after singing the immortal line “She stood their laughing” got a massive, musical “ha ha ha ha” from the crowd.

Songs like You Can Leave Your Hat On, which he revealed was originally recorded in Newcastle, Green Green Grass of Home, What’s New Pussycat and It’s Not Unusual were belted out in a voice which seemed stronger and more confident than ever.

The favourites came thick and fast. Sex Bomb, Kiss and Thunderball were interspersed with newer material.

The hips might be moving slower these days and the hair greyer, but when it comes to showmanship, he simply can’t be bettered.