Tom Jones International

From the Toledo (Ohio) Blade, Sunday, January 5, 1969 comes this article previewing Tom’s first TV series. I love the quote about money and am reminded of a literary conversation. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, “The rich are different from you and me.” Ernest Hemingway replied, “Yes, they have more money.” Sometimes those material things are important. And, think about it, when was the last time you heard (or used) the word “dig” the way it’s used here? And, Buddy Greco? Ah, the good ol’ days.

“Special” By Tom Jones Forerunner To His Series

NEW YORK — His hair is black as the coal his father hewed out of the mines for so many years. His eyes are brown. And he’s a handsome six-footer with the physique and muscles of a boxer.

One day, soon perhaps, he will emerge as a he-man movie star.

For the present, Tom JOnes is a singer — but a singer with a difference. That difference will be seen on This Is Tom Jones, a special starring the British singing sensation Thursday, January 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The special in which the Welsh entertainer gets able variety assistance from humorist Dick Cavell, dancer Juliet Prowse, pop group “The Fifth Dimension” and French chanteuse Mireille Mathieu, is an intriguing preface to a forthcoming series starring Jones.

Beginning February 7 at 7:30 pm, he will unveil The Tom Jones Show, a weekly up-tempo variety hour with the accent on contemporary entertainment.

It has been written of Jones that “In his full writhing agony of song he looks as if he could eat the average pop group complete with guitars, for breakfast.”

Yes, when you meet tom Jnes, you find him to be quietly relaxed, easy-going and with a nonchalant sense of humor. His manner and his voice are much gentler than his professional image would suggest.

Yet Jones appears to take everything in stride. He has catapaulted himself into the big money, but he is quite sincere when he says that money, as such, means nothing whatever to him except for the material things it brings him.

More than anything else, he likes singing and he says, simply:

“If I didn’t have the voice I have, I would never have the nerve to be a singer. Some of them nowadays have such small voices I wonder whatever put it in their heads to sing at all.”

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The Eugene (Oregon) Register-Guard on January 9, 1969, said, “If you’ve never seen Jones, he can best be described as a Welsh version of Frankie Laine and Buddy Greco singing the music of the New Generation….Like any special of this sort, if you dig the star, you’ll enjoy the show.”

Note: A new visitor to TJI wrote me that she’d like to see Tom in the US if she can “win the lottery.” Well, the people portrayed in this cartoon won but didn’t travel to see Tom. They did it their way.

Sadly (boo hoo), there’s no lottery here in Las Vegas so one thing I have given up since moving here from New York is daydreaming about winning. Of course, if you live here, you just have to take a half-hour car ride to Primm on the California state line. There, literally just over the California line, you can buy California lottery tickets. We have to be grateful for that because, without that store, Las Vegans could not wager or play any game of chance:)

OK, I know some might scoff at this post but, apparently, I am driven to post something every day, even when there’s no news and/or I am really busy with “real” work.

Lately, it’s been a bit of both and I am trying to get the calendar completed. On that topic, I will say that we have some terrific never-before-seen photos but they still have to be photoshopped. And, there’s no news in TJ Land.

So, thanks to Pat, we at least have a smile today.

Again, if you have anything you’d like to see posted, just send it to me using the contact link at right. And the joke with the punchline, “It’s not unusual” is one we’ve all heard so please send any other joke, article, video or photo. Thanks!

On June 21, 1970 the Los Angeles Times published an article that, as one looks at it in the context of today, is kind of sad.

The writer portrays many of those around Tom as petty, jealous and mean. Even if he doesn’t use those adjectives, that’s what comes across. And, if he’s right, it’s a real pity.

In the end, one kind of feels sorry for this 30 year-old guy from Nowhere (photo at left) who has to deal with all of these people all the time. And, too, even though the article is, in the end, a positive one about Tom, he had to deal with these so-called reporters who drag their subjects through the mud and, at the last minute, pick them up and dust them off.

Anyway, the photo shows Tom as he really looked in 1970. This article shows how appeared to at least one other person.

Note: This article is in a PDF format. You should be able to click on the link, download and open it. If you can’t do so, email me using the “contact” link at right and I can send it to you.

Also, if you have any articles you’d like to share, please send them on. There’s so much stuff out there and it’s always fun to look back via media. In fact, if you have anything to share — photos, video, articles — please do so.

In the spring the too-preciously named film called The Boat That Rocked was released in the UK. It was released here on Friday with the title Pirate Radio. It purports to tell the story of an offshore radio station, in reality called Radio Caroline, that played rock ‘n’ roll when the staid BBC wouldn’t in the 1960s. The film isn’t by any means a great one and the story is in large part fiction. In fact, many of the songs used weren’t released until after1966, when the film takes place. The truth in the film is found in the music played and in the very existence of off-shore radio because the Beeb wouldn’t play the music. The soundtrack of the movie is just wonderful. The performances, are fun, especially that of Phillip Seymour Hoffman who, like everyone else in the cast, is clearly having a blast. Not fun, but funny, is Kenneth Branagh’s government official who seems to have, um, sat on a stick. It plays right into the stereotype many people have about Brits. And, you gotta love a film with a character named “Twatt.”

I recommend it because of the soundtrack, because you’ll have a good time and, finally, if you’re a Tom Jones fan — or a fan of so many others first played on Radio Caroline — it deserves your patronage.

That said, why should a Tom Jones fansite even discuss the film? Well, read below for the answer to that question and, if you want to know more about Radio Caroline check out the multi-part history.

Meanwhile, a bit about Tom and Radio Caroline:
In an interview Radio Caroline North DJ Mike Ahern talked about Tom:

“We were responsible for making a lot of artists. I said to Tom Jones recently, during an interview: ‘Do you understand, Tom, that you may not have had a career if we’d had no Caroline North starting to play It’s Not Unusual?‘ The reason we picked this song was because of its duration: it was only 1 minute and 59 seconds. It was short and it was a good one, up to news. We were pretty good about getting the news on in time, even in those days. Another one that we broke was the Fortunes You’ve Got Your Troubles, the Rolling Stones certainly, The Who, and a lot of bands just would not be as big as they are now without Caroline. Tom Jones said to me that he hadn’t realized that, but I said to him ‘It’s true.’”

Radio London runs down the highlights of the year 1965 on Radio Caroline: APRIL 18: Easter Sunday: Radio Caroline celebrates first birthday. Ronan O’Rahilly introduced four “Bell” the Caroline insignia awards. He presents one personally to The Animals at London Airport just before they leave for New York. The award is for their “House of the Rising Sun” the best group record of the Year. Pet Clark flew in from France to receive her award for ”Down Town”, the best female vocal recording, from Simon Dee. Simon also travels to Twickenham Film Studios to present the Beatles with their award as the best and most consistent artists. The best male vocal record of the year was It’s Not Unusual and the award is presented by Burt Bacharach to Tom Jones. Recorded birthday greetings from individual artists and groups are included in the day’s broadcasting schedule. The messages were from Band of Angels, Cliff Richard, The Temptations, The Shadows, The Four Pennies, Roy Orbison, Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, Donovan, The Honeycombs, The Supremes, Little Stevie Wonder, Dusty Springfield, Martha and the Vandellas, The Miracles, The Drifters, Bobby Vee, Peter and Gordon, Frankie Vaughan, Tom Jones and Eden Kane.

Here’s the first, brief video and caption of Tom’s Sunday night show in Malta and an exclusive first posting anywhere of the full-length professional review from the show. Also, for (most probably) the last time, the LiveNation promo photo that, one might say, we all from TJI had a lot to do with being used instead of the other, original picture they were going to use. Now, it’s hopefully into the studio for more new product. This man is amazing, isn’t he?

The Times of Malta posted a brief video after Tom’s show there and wrote, “Described by some as a legend among legends, superstar Tom Jones is this evening pleasing the mixed age crowd which has filled the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre at Ta’ Qali.

“Renowned for a stream of classic chart-toppers like Sex Bomb and It’s Not Unusual, the veteran crooner opened the night with Sugar Daddy from his latest album 24 Hours.

“The concert was organised by NNG Promotions.”

Click here to see a brief video — including the opening moments — of Tom’s show in Malta

Below is a review of Tom’s Malta show written by journalist Justin Camilleri. He says, in response to my question about how many people were there, that there were “over 10,000 not to mention the standing concert revellers.” TJI thanks Justin for sharing this with us

The real spectacle that’s Tom Jones

As the crowd waited eagerly the concert kicked off with opening guitar riffs from Sugar Daddy, while the lights fired up from the stage out of nowhere the man himself appeared dressed in a cool black suit that fitted him like a glove, as he belted out those Bono penned lyrics from his latest album 24 hours we knew we were in for a real show.

Indeed those verses sum up Jones’ real-life virile persona that shows no signs of waning even after four decades as the roaring tiger has now morphed into an immortal Welsh dragon sprouting fire on stage. Despite showing his grey mane, Tom certainly does not look his age as he moves and exhumes the energy of a 40-year-old, more so in Give A Little Love.

For more, just click here to (more…)

There were newspaper reviews of Tom in Budapest, but translation from Hungarian to English is not my long suit, so I can only tell you that the reviewer said something to the effect of Tom’s arrival there was like giving bread to the starving. He couldn’t remember Florence Rawlings’ name and the photo caption translated as “Who’s the sugar Uncle.” What is clear that Tom was a huge hit and will surely be welcomed back.

The photo left is from an interview with Tom done prior to his appearance in Serbia. You can read it under Peter’s review of Tom in Budapest (below):

Here is Peter’s review from Budapest. It is so enthusiastic that the mood is contagious. Thanks so very much, Peter!

I’m still in shock, so I cannot go into small details, but let me tell you, he was amazing, he looks and moves like he’s only 40, and enjoys himself to the fullest. I loved the leather-like jacket and pants, it looked super-cool!!!

Well, first of all, Florence Rawlings was a lot better than I expected and I think she has some very good songs and a very cool voice. I was sitting in the 4th row right to center stage and when we went to our seats we were stunned just how close the stage is! Excitement was growing rapidly and we couldn’t wait until Florence has finished and the Budapest Arena filled to it’s full capacity. After a brief intermission while they rearranged the stage we were waiting with our breaths held back believe me.

For the rest of Peter’s review and an interesting Q & A from Serbia, click here (more…)

Be sure you check out the post below about Jimmy Webb and hear Tom sing a couple of his songs.

It’s Saturday night and Tom arrives in Malta. With the video, the Times of Malta posted the following caption: “Fans young and not so young greeted superstar Tom Jones at Malta International Airport tonight asking him for an autograph as soon as he got out of the arrival’s lounge. Sir Tom arrived in Malta for tomorrow’s concert at the MFCC during which he is expected to sing songs from throughout his career pleasing all generations. Songs one can expect to hear include his 60s hits What’s New Pussy Cat?, Delilah, It’s Not Unusual and Green Green Grass Of Home. Song from the 70s include She’s A Lady and more recent works include Kiss, Sex Bomb and Stoned In Love. Tickets are available at the door.”

Couldn’t help but notice that there was one apparently quite important man — probably a local cop or security — with Tom who was hell-bent on rushing him through the waiting fans. Tom seemed pleased to have a crowd at the airport, smiling and waving like it was back in the day, but this guy was having none of that. And, on the off-chance you might be wondering, Don is fleetingly seen in the back of the entourage.

From The Times of Malta/Justin Camilleri/October 13, 2009

The real legend that’s Tom Jones

Akin to the old Celtic legends where amid the beautiful, tranquil green country of Wales immortal proud dragons roamed the vast lush countryside sprouting fire, feasting and ruling the terrain from dusk till dawn, hailed a young Thomas Woodward who roamed the streets of Pontypridd unaware of the vast fame and fortune that soon awaited him.

Whether his stage name was picked for a specific reason but like English playwright Henry Fielding’s titular character; Tom Jones as he became known, also grew into a vigorous and lusty, yet kind-hearted, singer who has entertained the masses during the past four decades.

It is undoubtedly the voice that is the sole bold spectacle, to which he gave birth with the classic Its Not Unusual and brought to maturity with the timeless Green Green Grass of Home coupled by that Welsh virile swagger that entices women of all ages.

Tom Jones represents that old school artiste who during the 1960s mingled with the likes of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack and managed to blend their music in his own unique style. In an interview last February on the BBC with Jonathan Ross, Tom revealed that he and Frank were drinking buddies and enjoyed a few glasses of champagne from time to time.

Bond movies have always been synonymous with dramatic theme tunes, and in the film Thunderball audiences had the pleasure of listening to Tom’s velvet inimitable voice belting those powerful lyrics blended with those Bond-ish musical orchestrations. The movie hit song that reignited his career with a younger audience in 1989 was Kiss, taken from My Stepmother is an Alien starring Kim Basinger. Tom’s voice certainly improved on Prince’s original especially the ‘and’ addition in the ‘Women and Girls rule my world’ line as opposed to the ‘not’ in Prince’s original. When questioned by Parkinson on the BBC as to why he added the ‘and’ in the line; Jones answered with a chuckle: “Because I did not want to leave any of them out”.

Another successful cover version is without a doubt You Can Leave Your Hat On from the hit film The Full Monty, which spawned the rousing Full Monty medley live performance at the 1998 BRIT Awards, where Jones entertained the masses.

Jones would reinvent his image for the 2000s with the album Reload, indeed this was the collaboration album as Tom Jones recorded duets of cover songs with younger artistes of the likes of Robbie Williams, Zucchero, Simply Red, Nathalie Imbruglia and The Cardigans.

From Sex Bomb to Mama Told Me, Jones’s music after four decades is as contemporary as ever reaching out to a new generation of fans, during an interview with Michael Parkinson, he was asked will he ever retire and he replied, so long as my voice remains strong I will continue to perform, there is no doubt he will continue to delight us with his inimitable voice for years to come.

Tom Jones will be performing at the MFCC Ta Qali on November 15. Tickets are available from www.nngpromotions.com .

Songwriter Jimmy Webb played a gig in Cardiff on November 1. The other day, journalist Nathan Bevan sent this interview he did with Webb to TJI, thinking it might be of interest. It is too bad that the collaboration between Webb and Tom never happened. Webb’s UK tour is over, but his 2010 US dates are on his website. Well worth seeing him. If you think you don’t know his songs, just just look at the titles mentioned below. And do listen Tom’s version of a Webb classic below.

American music legend to play exclusive gig in city

Nathan Bevan/South Wales Echo/Wednesday, 28 October, 2009

HE’S the legendary US singer-songwriter whose hits have been immortalised by everyone from Frank Sinatra and The Supremes to Glen Campbell and REM.

But while he may have written the most played song of the last millennium with Wichita Lineman and has a mantelpiece groaning with Grammys, Jimmy Webb is to play an intimate gig in a Roath backstreet to kick off his upcoming UK tour.

“That’s down to my boys Christiaan, Justin and James, they love Cardiff,” said the 63-year-old Oklahoma star who’s been dubbed ‘a mmusical genius’ by the likes of Sinatra.

“They’re in a band called The Webb Brothers and when they were starting out they did some shows there and the kids made them so welcome they were desperate to come back.

“But this time they brought the old man too,” laughed Webb, who, with his three sons, will no doubt thrill fans at the 350-capacity The Gate on Sunday by running through a back catalogue stuffed with such classics as By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Up, Up And Away and MacArthur Park.

And while it may only be his second time over the Severn Bridge, Webb said he’s always had a long spiritual relationship with Wales, having met up with Pontypridd’s Tom Jones a number of times during the ’60s to discuss working together.

For Webb talking Jones and to listen to Tom sing two very, very famous Webb songs, click here (more…)

Here’s a very literal translation of an article from Blic Online In English in Serbia about Tom appearing there tonight. If you see him, please share your experience with us.

The famous singer from Wales at the Belgrade Arena tonight
Tom Jones: I will sing my old hits

Author: A. Novakovic | Foto: AP | 13.11.2009 – 10:38/Blic Online In English

The legendary singer Tom Jones will perform tonight at the Belgrade Arena. He is quite modest with his demands, asking from the organizers to provide him only with a dressing room with a sofa, chairs, television and a separate bathroom and a toilet.

Everything else, including transport, food (Jones is bringing his own cook), even accommodation, is taken care of by the people from his team. Many years ago Jones’s doctor advised him that he should always be provided with necessary air humidity in the room where he is staying because of his voice, so it is highly probable that equipment for regulation of humidity will be brought to Belgrade as well.

In a recent interview for “Blic”, the famous Welsh musician said that he is looking forward to his first performance in Serbia and that he plans to sing songs from his new album, as well as his greatest hits.

“I have a new album24 Hour from which I will sing several new songs, but basically the concert will be a fine combination of my hits. I like to sing my old hits, such as Dalilah, Green Grass of My Home, What’s New Pussycat, but I will also perform a song by Otis Redding Hard To Handle and a lot more. I perform with an amazing band and all reviews that we have received so far are great,” says Jones.

The special guest at the concert is a young British soul singer Florence Rawlings who has a great career ahead of her. The twenty-year-old singer from London has attracted great attention with singles Hard To Get and Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me, and in early January she will release her debut album A Fool In Love.

According to the concert organizers, tickets for the pit are almost sold out and tickets for the grandstands cost from 2,500 to 4,000 dinars* and can be purchased at Bilet servis, Eventim and Card Service.

*Note: 2,500 Serbian Dinars (RSD) =39.7954 USD; 4,000 RSD = 63.6727 USD

Also, check out Florence Rawlings’ website. Her blog about the tour is fun to read. No great revelations, just fun.

Hi All: Starting this morning at 5:30 it’s off to the airport again, then home in early afternoon, a nap and to work reviewing a show (Lily Tomlin at the Hollywood Theatre). Friday is very busy and, in fact, so is the weekend and most of next week. So, finding items to post may be a bit difficult.

Anyhow, if you can help over the next few days by sending in anything you’d like posted that you believe may be of interest to other fans, please contact me. Be your usual creative selves and it should be jut fine.

Meanwhile, check out the many answers to the Question of the Month (second post below) and the post about It’s Not Unusual below. The video is fully functional and, in truth, I was thrilled with Les Reed’s remembrance of the song.

We’ve gotten lots of answers to the question about the set list but I keep thinking that we have to take into account the fact that Sir Tom’s voice — still magnificent — has changed and some songs may now be out of his range.

Be sure to look at the comments on the post below about It’s Not Unusual to read a note from Gordon’s daughter, Tracy Mills Vosloo.