Tom Jones International

Seeing Tom tonight in Dallas? Please send us your review ASAP using the “Contact” link below! Don’t post it as a comment. Thanks! And, if you haven’t visited TJI for a few days, check below for some video and audio and a recap of the week in Las Vegas.

Tom’s friend Robbie Williams — who is huge in the UK right now — is being honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Music at the 30th Annual Brit Awards on February 16. Tom won the same award in 2003 and the presenter was Robbie Williams. Tom has also said several times that he can see Williams portraying him if a biopic is ever made about him.

Williams has a home near Tom’s in LA but, recently, also bought another home in the UK. Here’s video of a French radio interview where Robbie talks Tom…and gets a surprise.

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.

Thanks, Dre!

As he often does these days, Tom was talking about age — you know, “sixty-nine was good at 45…” — Wednesday night when he turned to the band and asked, “Shall I tell the joke?”

Now, Tom occasionally veers away from the prepared spontaneous remarks into genuine spontaneity. And, of course, he is rightly proud of how great he looks and sounds as he nears 70.

So, Tom began to talk about a man he met who told him a story. (The “I” in the beginning is the other man, not Tom. He is merely quoting the man.)

I wasn’t at that show but, fortunately, lots of fans were and one shot some video. This is a funny, but risqué story so if you’re liable to be offended, please skip it.

You can watch here as Tom tells the joke.

As usual, if you cannot view the video, please drop me note using the “Contact TJI” link at right and I’ll send it to you. But, because of the conditions under which it was shot, you should be aware that the sound is the important thing here.

A Bit of Tom Jones? had it’s London red carpet premiere the other night and, on Tuesday, a fan at the MGM saw Tom and asked about it. He took the photo here as Tom was answering the question. It was reportedly a very funny exchange. Tom didn’t say whether or not he’d seen the movie, but did say that “It was too long. They had to cut it, you know.”

TJI still cannot wait to see it.

Tom is playing in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia on March 19. Check for tickets (not available yet) here. There’s also a rumor that he’ll be performing in Egypt. All I can say is that I am envious. The amazing voice is going to some amazing places. I’ve seen the “sound and light” (laser) show at the Sphinx. It love to see Tom perform here — after all, they have the lighting and sound set up….it’d be amazing!

Another rumor holds that Tom will be back at the MGM for two weeks in May. There are tentative dates, nothing firm, no tickets on sale. A third rumor is that this spring — just four months away — may see a new CD.

But, of course, nothing is official until you read it on Tom’s official site or tickets go on sale.

By the way, you know all those knickers and other assorted dainties that get tossed onstage to the chagrin of many? How about choosing the best of them and donating them to the clothing relief efforts in Haiti?? Really, underwear is underwear.

TJI is waiting for some audio being sent by a fan and to finish some videos to be posted. Thanks for your patience and, please, scroll down to read about Tom’s week in Las Vegas.

The one facet of Tom Jones’ week in Las Vegas that was crystal clear is that Las Vegas missed Tom Jones. Yes, other places — places where he’s recently played or to which he’s going over the next two months — also missed him but Las Vegas has been a home-away-from-home for him since March 1968 and it’s a habit for all involved. The city loves Tom, loves to see him and, probably, he loves it, too. After all, where else can he stay in one place, so as he wishes during the day and then sing every night? And, along the way receive the accolades he gets from his audience here? An audience, by the way whose members travel literally from around the world to see him. So, let’s look back at a terrific week in Tom, at the show and the fans.

The Show: At any rate, this fans in the USA got to see the newest incarnation of Tom Jones’ band and singers and set list. Do I miss the old band? Yes! As both musicians and as quality people so many of us came to know they are missed The new band? It’s fine….got to talk to some of them and they absolutely know music, know what they’re reaching for. Like all of the musicians who have been with Tom over the years, they are very talented.They’re not the last band he had, but if you can get by that and be objective, they are certainly good. Most missed, according to the people who saw them this week (and as one person who already commented on an earlier post here) are the back-up singers. The trio who sang with Tom for the last several years were so strong as to be unmatched. You tended not to realize it until they were gone. The new singers fit very well with the new show, however, where the vocal requirements seem not to be as stringent.

Tom, as noted here several times by several people, looks and sounds amazing. He is in top voice and top shape. Many fans expressed concern about his rigorous upcoming tour schedule, but it appears that he can pull it off. Tom Jones is amazing.

This new show is enormous fun. It’s good to hear Thunderball (A completely ridiculous, meaningless song that is sung tremendously well) and Mama Told Me again. The closing song, take Me Back To the Party is a keeper — an absolutely perfect show closer, leaving the audience ready for more and on a terrific high.

The lighting designer is also to be congratulated. Lights are terrific and bring an element long missing to the show. From 2005 until this show opened, TJI always expressed a desire to see Tom onstage with a “real” set with evident thought and work put into it. We have that now and it is wonderful. The show, at last, looks glorious, as befits someone of Tom’s stature.

The Fans: As noted, fans came from all over and many stayed for seven nights. There were old friends of Tom’s who had been seeing him for 40+ years and there were lots of new fans. They generally had fun at the shows and, after the shows, catching up with each other. But there was some interesting stuff going on.

For example, late in the run a woman showed up, sat in the third row center and with great abandon showed off her — um — assets that seemed all shiny and very new. Tom couldn’t miss her and did nod and laugh. After the show she and the man she was with tried to get backstage (“Don’t you know who I am?” he asked. Obviously no one knew or cared) and failed. Walking by, I couldn’t help smiling at the abundance of what was before me. One of the ushers was also smiling at the sight. We caught each other’s eyes and I said quietly, touching my necklace (which was actually not new but I wanted to make a point), “Wow, this is all I bought to wear to the show. Look at what she bought!” and we laughed.

Then, as many of you know, there was The Stalker. She flies in like an ill wind from the southeast, stays at a nearby seedy hotel and bothers everyone. She tries to accost Tom and the people around him, she threatens people — other fans — whom she perceives as close to him and spreads a lot of filth about them. For example, she’s threatened to sue me or “get me” when I dared to post information about a TJ-related campaign I’m undertaking. She contacts people with emails filled with lies and posts these lies on myspace, facebook and various other places under a variety of names with avatars looking nothing like her.. You may well and rightfully ask why I am writing about this.

I know I am not alone in my belief that this woman is dangerous and poses a real threat to anyone she wrongly perceives getting in the way of her and Tom (as if there were or ever will be a “her and Tom”). She implies an intimate relationship (“we partied all night”) where none exists and reminds me and several other people of John David Chapman. So, please, before you respond to pleas under any one of her several names to help her get Tom into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or before you believe anything she writes under any name, take a second look. She has some computer facility and knows how to hide her identity in an email. She has several names on facebook and other websites. She lives on the east coast of the US (although she often claims to live in N’Orleans) and should be watched and avoided like the Swine Flu.

Of course, there were lots of fun fans who did their thing with Tom during the show. The Georgia Peach danced “with” him, that great gal from Florida danced in her seat and Miko, who came all the way from Japan, kept him sweat-free. It was a blast.

I also feel very fortunate to have met so many people who read this site. It is one of the real rewards of doing this and I thank you all for taking time to introduce yourselves.

As mentioned over the weekend, on Saturday night Tom did an unrehearsed version of the song Rip It Up, the Little Richard/Bill Haley/Elvis song. Someone sent me a recording of it (I do not ever record and had no camera this time because my camera’s in the shop) and, now, you can hear Tom’s version of Rip It Up. He sings this music like no one else today does and it is so good to hear.

Coming Up On TJI: Over the next several days there’ll be some news, some terrific video, some “Rumor or Reality” posted here. Please come back and continue to comment. And, if you are new at commenting, check out the rules at About TJI.com.

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RIP: JD Salinger.

Wednesday’s show was fun. Tony Curtis (right), who is at one show each time Tom is here, and Tom’s friend Cook E. Jarr were there.

The London premiere of A Bit of Tom Jones? took place the other night and we’ll have a post about it, including what Tom briefly said to a fan about it.

But, got to sleep at 3 am and have a 10 am meeting, so I’ve gotta book out of here. I’ll just add that there’s terrific video and audio coming up over the next several days and a couple of “Rumor or Reality?” tidbits you’ll want to know. So, please stay tuned!

Note: If you get google news alerts, you may see something from TJRox to help her get Tom into the Hall of Fame. Please! Avoid her and that campaign at all costs. Tell you why in a few weeks but you really don’t want to go near this.

One of the best writers in this city, John Kasilometes, was at Tom’s show Sunday night. As noted below it was a great show — great fun to go with the great music. While ordinarily I’d object to all the “Tommy” stuff he has in here, in this case, at this show, he was right. Tom was having a great time and he was, quite unusually, in a room full of friends. As for the size of the audience — again — it must be noted that this is the norm in Las Vegas today. One only hopes that the economy doesn’t enter into the decision to book him here again, although it wouldn’t hurt if it were considered when pricing tickets and the price were dropped a few bucks.

At 69, frost-topped Tom Jones still dropping sex bombs

By John Katsilometes · January 25, 2010 · 4:38 PM/Las Vegas Sun

The singer is fitted stoutly in a silvery suit and untucked purple shirt. His hair seems frosted white, except that it is not. Instead, the 69-year-old singer has allowed his tightly cropped mane to retain its natural, stately shade of gray.

This is hardly a just-for-men experience.

The venerable entertainer looks a little like Snow Miser, actually. At least, he looks like Snow Miser if Snow Miser wore a goatee, and he attacks the music with the same glee as the character voiced by Dick Shawn in the Rankin/Bass classic, “The Year Without a Santa Claus.”

But there is something amiss here, for Tom Jones, and it’s in his ear. More specifically, it’s what’s not in his ear: Music. He cannot properly hear his still-rich voice and music from his solid eight-piece band. So he has yanked out the ever-present in-ear audio monitors — if that’s the technical term — so they hang from his neck like strands of cosmetic jewelry.

Tommy needs help! Chop-chop!

“One is not working at the moment,” he says, holding one of the earpieces delicately between his thumb and forefinger as he effectively pulls the e-brake on the show in its early moments.

“I gotta have two working,” he says, arching his eyebrows. “You know what I’m talkin’ about?”

The women in the audience giggle — Tommy is so ribald! There are many women in this audience. The entire front row of seats at the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre, the ones where woman can easily hit their target with a pair of knotted panties, are filled with women. One shouts, “Can I have them!?”

(more…)

Each night, it seems, this 24 Hours Tour is more fun. Sunday night more fans from out-of-town arrived in Las Vegas, all seemingly at the tables next to the stage. There were friends and relatives who hadn’t seen each other — or Tom — in a long time. Not only did Tom know all of them, but they all knew each other. And, because of that, the show going on in front of the stage was almost as fun as the show on the stage. Among those who arrived tonight was the famous Georgia Peach. She and Tom really amused the audience, taunting each other as they danced.

With only four days gone and three to go, more fans are staying in Las Vegas for the full run. They’ve come from Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico and across the USA. Again, there were a lot of empty seats but, again, it was no different than at any other show in town. When Cirque du Soleil — some of whose productions are famously difficult tickets to get — is offering locals a $25 tickets with the purchase of a full-price ticket, you know things are tough.

A small change in the show comes at the end. It’s subtle, but definitely there. They all sing (the ever more-wonderful) Take Me Back To The Party, bow and, then, Tom steps downstage by himself to thank the audience and tell them that, as he pretty much does these days only in Las Vegas, he’ll see them “all again…tomorrow night.” So, we have the best of both worlds — the entire group doing what they have done but, still, leaving space for Tom to get props on his own. Just terrific!

For me, a minor highlight (just a “light?”) of the evening was when I was chatting with a couple from California who was sitting next to me. They said they are fierce fans and, of course, I asked if they ever visited any TJ websites. “Only one,” the husband replied, “TJI.”

Please note: I am sorry. I forgot to post the “official” name before but this is the first time in almost forever that Tom’s tour has a real name. They should make it a tradition.

One of my favorite local journalists was there to see the show. His story will be posted tomorrow and I’ll pass it on to you. He looked like he was having a grand time. But, who wouldn’t? And, tonight, who didn’t?

Note: Tickets are not on sale yet, but MGM does have Tom listed for May 13 through 26. But! There are no tickets on sale and everyone — everyone! — says this is tentative. Tom will be back at the MGM this year. (After all, Las Vegas is one of his homes, along with LA and the UK, right?) So, despite what people at the box office and around the hotel may say, please do not make any travel plans until tickets go on sale.

Saturday NIght’s Show: It was, again, loads of fun….Tom was great as always and there was a nice bonus. The second time he asked the audience “Are we still having a good time?” and everyone shouted, “Yes!!” he said, “Why not? It’s Saturday night!”

Tom, wearing a blue shirt, then began to sing the Little Richard classic Rip It Up, He paused, discussed the key and completed it. It was great (I love this stuff. To me this music is classic rock!) TJI should have a recording of it soon and I’ll share:)

The Band: First, please note that I do not think I am Moses down from the Mount with the Ten Commandments. It’s just a lot of people have asked my opinion of the band and I wasn’t ready to commit. Now, I am. I’ve done a lot of thinking about this because I really thought the old band and singers were special. A couple are friends and it’s difficult to see your friends hurt. In the heat of all the controversy — September, October and November — I tried very hard to maintain an objective stance in my role as website moderator. I knew the story circulated by one angry woman that Tom was forever abandoning Las Vegas was a lie and that’s the only thing on which I took a strong position. I knew Tom would be back here and couldn’t understand why anyone would want to spread the nonsense that he wouldn’t. But, on a personal level, I remained upset about the fine musicians I’d seen with Tom over the last several years.

I was proud and so pleased when I got a couple of emails from fans complimenting me on the site’s handling of the whole affair. In this case I didn’t even mind being compared to Fox news — “fair and balanced.” That, by the way, is my goal. The key word, as it says on the home page, is “respect” for Tom, his Management and the fans. Disagreement, criticism, etc., is fine. But keep it respectful.

So, the new band? I met a couple of them and we talked. One was quite concerned with fan reaction to the shows and asked what I thought. I said US fans love the show but seem to be taken aback by the group bow and he seemed surprised. It is, as I said a few months ago, a European thing. I told him about my analogy to U2 and the E Street Band and he understood but, still, didn’t see the issue. But, that’s not important.

I believe the “new” band (How long will we be calling them “new?”) is talented, enthusiastic and clearly loves doing Tom’s show. Music director Gary Wallis has put together a good group of musicians and Tom obviously enjoys working with them. I will not ever forget the people in the last band — how could I? — and I know my personal feelings may slightly influence my opinion, but these men are good at what they do and seem to have good stage presence and an abundance of charm and talent. I do miss that fourth horn but like the new arrangements. Green Green Grass now sounds more like the way Curly Putman meant it to sound when he wrote it. That’s good and much more haunting, as a classic country ballad is meant to be. (Still wish they’d add A Boy From Nowhere.) Save The Last Dance, Hard To Handle and He’ll Have To Go are very nice additions.

In the end, of course, one cannot fault the “new” band for not being the musicians we know. As they say, “That’s show biz” and we have to go with it or go away.

I choose to go with it.

2 a.m., PST, Sunday morning, January 24: Look later in the day for a post about tonight’s show. Some news, some views and, if I get them, a photo or two. See you later.

You may have heard or read that Las Vegas has had an unprecedented run of rain and cold and I know for a fact that many tourists canceled their plans to come here because of the weather. Several people tonight were worried that the house was only about half full. But, again, this is an issue around the world. Acts like U2 and Bruce break attendance records but most are having the same economic problems — granted, in a more rarefied way — than the rest of us. You can even get those highly prized Garth Brooks tickets at the last minute. I went to a movie premiere tonight. It had all the trimmings — a real red carpet, a cast/filmmaker Q&A after the movie and a party. It wasn’t full. And it was free and well-publicized.

At any rate, in the country segment, Tom added the Jim Reeves classic, He’ll Have To Go. When he left the stage later in the show to change his shirt his cuff link got stuck so he had to begin singing the next song off stage. Many who had been there both nights said tonight was even better than the first. After opening night, that’s difficult to believe. I must note that a friend who is a fan and who will be here Sunday wrote me that I hadn’t written about opening night with much passion. I was very passionate in my belief that it was an extraordinary show. I apologize if that didn’t come across in my words.

One thing not mentioned here was that on opening night the lights in the first segment tended to hurt the eyes of people in the front row — probably because the lighting was designed for large arenas, not for people sitting next to (touching!) the stage. That was not the case tonight and people who had been subjected to the lights opening night were grateful the change had been made.

Several people have emailed me and asked about the band and, again, I ask those of you who have seen them in Las Vegas to comment. I shall not. From what I’ve heard, those who are familiar with the way things were, don’t like the group bow at the end as they say the band should take a back seat to Tom and let him take a bow on his own.

He is very generous and I know the band members are doing what they’re told. But, when you see, for example, people like U2 and Springsteen — people whose bands are an integral part of the act in the sense that you go to see all the members of U2 or Springsteen and the E Street Band — even take bows separate from the others on stage. What people say (and I don’t disagree) is that the audience comes to see Tom Jones. His band at the show is always — unlike in U2 or the E Street Band* — subject to change and are not a draw, as much as fans may like them and get to know them. People just feel that with the closing as it is, Sir Tom is not getting his due.Remember, they do as they’re told, so they might be faulted on some things, but surely not that last bow. But Tom’s still wonderful.

More on the shows tomorrow.

Meanwhile, please be sure to let us all know what you think of Tom at the MGM Grand and of the new official website.

*Guess Max Weinberg is grateful he didn’t give up his E Street gig when Conan went to California.

The Brit Awards’ official site tell us you can vote for Tom’s as the outstanding performance in the Brit’s 30 years. And if you can get ITV you can see some of it tonight. And let us know how it is.

On Saturday 23rd January, ITV1 will broadcast The BRITs Hits 30. This anniversary programme is unique in that it celebrates The BRIT Awards reaching its 30th year by viewing some memorable performances that the public can then vote on through ITV.com/brits and GM.TV.

The UK’s recorded music industry association, the BPI, announces today that Spice Girl ‘Mel B’ will be hosting this ITV show that will turn back the clock with stunning performances from the likes of: Kylie, Scissor Sisters, The Bee Gees, Eurythmics, The Spice Girls, Bros, The Who, Coldplay, Kanye West, Paul McCartney, Take That, Robbie Williams dueting with Tom Jones, The Pet Shop Boys, Girls Aloud and of course Michael Jackson.

The TV audience will then be asked to vote for their favourite performance by going to itv.com/brits or gm.tv up until February 5th when the voting window will close. The winner will then be invited to the BRITs on Tuesday 16th February at Earls Court, London to accept their award. “MOST MEMORABLE BRITs PERFORMANCE of 30 years”

Ged Doherty, Chairman of the BRITs said:

“Reaching 30 years is a phenomenal achievement for The BRITs. By improving the experience for the Voting Academy, revamping the website and having a primetime 30th anniversary televised show on the 9th Jan to kick off the celebrations, we really are in shape to make this year a truly memorable occasion.”