Tom Jones International

In the next several days, depending upon time constraints, TJI will post a half-hour interview Tom did on BBC radio and video of Tom on two TV shows in the UK. In addition to my regular work, I am working on three special projects which you may hear about soon.

The Official UK Charts Company now has Praise and Blame at #5, down three from last week’s #2 debut. The album is also #5 on the Scottish charts. The promo work for the album in the UK was terrific. Looking for the same in North America.

Now, to the most important thing to everyone in the MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theatre: the show:Sir Tom Jones is a master. With a near-capacity crowd cheering everything he did, with the retention of the material from Praise and Blame added last night and with Mike Tyson in the audience, this was a night to remember.

First, the set list: Sugar Daddy, Give A Little Love, Thunderball, In Style and Rhythm, If He Should Ever Leave You, Delilah, Mama Told Me Not To Come, Hard To Handle, Too Many Lovers, I’ll Never Fall In Love Again, What Good Am I?, Burning Hell, Don’t Knock, Didn’t It Rain, What’s New Pussycat?, She’s A Lady, You Can Leave Your Hat On, If I Only Knew, Sex Bomb, It’s Not Unusual and, for the encore, Kiss and Take Me Back To the Party.

The audience was thrilled with the performance and people danced — by themselves or with a partner. And that partner, like the fan who danced with Tyson, could be someone who just happened to be there. (Tyson, by the way, was there with a few adults and his son. Of course, they went backstage immediately after the show.)

For the rest of the review and a brief radio clip, please click here to

Sir Tom joked a bit — at one point, making a slightly risqué remark, he said, “When I say ‘everything,’ I mean ‘everything.’” Then, kind of talking to himself, he said, “Now, don’t get carried away, Tommy. Tommy’s a bit of a naughty boy. Tommy can sing but he’s a bit of a naughty boy.”

The show was a smash. The lighting is spectacular the stage looks terrific. For the Praise and Blame numbers a steel drum was added, a nice touch. The only minor criticisms I heard were about Burning Hell. Two people said it is “depressing” and another said, “The guitar was OK, but not like on the CD. I love it on the CD!”

I, for one, felt an odd kind of pride at the end of the evening. Sir Tom Jones is — honestly/seriously — better than ever. The pride came from being his fan for so many years because fans have known all along he is a hell of an entertainer with an extraordinary voice. This is what we all knew he would be like as he matured. He is an artist in every sense of the word and if you know anyone who’s not seen him, make it a goal of yours to get that person to a show performed by Sir Tom Jones.

Below is a very short clip of a radio interview from BBC 6. Not much there, but worth three minutes or so of your time.

Elizabeth Alker Interviews Sir Tom on BBC Radio 6: Tom Jones’ Memories: An insight into what inspired the hit maker.