Tom Jones International

My advertising campaign for the 2011 TJI Fan Calendar is just about at an end. I am not comfortable appearing (or being) pushy so I hope you understand. For all who have ordered, a major large thank you. If you were thinking of ordering, please so so soon — like no later than the end of the week. Really!

And, the third and final part of Sir Tom’s career retrospective has been posted. It’s lovely stuff. I really enjoyed watching it, especially the first two parts This part shows a news story about Tom becoming Sir Tom. And, when shown a photo in the TJI calendar of that day in which he was standing with a group of Tower of London Beefeaters (the guards in the red uniforms trimmed with gold), he was asked what he was thinking. Well, apparently, they made sure that the Beefeaters chosen to escort him that day had one thing in common with him. “You know,” Sir Tom said, “they were all Welsh.” This part also has that lovely, haunting beginning of Green Green Grass that is so gorgeous and evocative it should be a permanent part of the show.

And don’t forget, you can click the box in the lower right of the screen to make the video play full-screen. Watching all three parts really gives an excellent picture of this extraordinary man’s career.You can watch it in the TJI.com Video Library.

Sales for the 2011 TJI Fan Calendar will have to end this week. So, please don’t forget to order one as there is never a guarantee of availability after they are ordered from the printer unless you ordered one before it goes to the printer. If you cannot use PayPal to pay — #25 in the US/#28 for those being mailed to a destination outside the US — let me know and I will send instructions for mailing a check or MO. If yu want a calendar and cannot pay all at once, please let me know that, too. Surely, something can be worked out.

As the BBC career retrospective shows, over 45 years Tom Jones has done many memorable TV appearances. We’ve seen him act in Series, made-for-TV movies and sing and dance with a huge range of people. Early this morning, BBC America reran a 2008 appearance that was hysterically funny, even on a second viewing.

If you missed Tom on the Graham Norton Show back then, you can watch it in the TJI Video Library. Even if you’ve seen it, it’s worth another look.

And, the second part of Sir Tom’s career retrospective contains footage many people haven’t seen. It even has him talking a bit of Welsh and surprising a fan. It’s lovely stuff. The last part will be tomorrow. And don’t forget, you can click the box in the lower right of the screen to make the video play full-screen. You can watch it in the TJI.com Video Library.

With a 70th birthday and the Music Industry Trusts Award (MITA), Sir Tom Jones has reached a state of eminence in the United Kingdom. Yes, the tabloid press is still relentlessly nasty with their talk of tans and hairlines, but in other ways, Tom Jones is finally getting his due in his home country.

Yes, all the papers have been full of news about his appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival next summer and of how Praise and Blame is the fulfillment of a promise to Elvis to record gospel. (Really? It used to be that Elvis said he should do that, not that Tom “promised.”) But, at least it’s not trashy news.

The MITA brought a lot of attention from mainstream media. One of the shows on the BBC dealt with Tom’s relationship with that megamedia empire — all those radio and TV stations! — over the years. After a recent interview, the Beeb ran a one-hour retrospective of Sir Tom’s appearances on their shows over the years from Chills and Fever to Praise and Blame. The screen shot above is from one of those early appearances.

A very nice UK fan sent the show to TJI. Now, you’ve very possibly seen much (or all) of this because it’s on youtube and other video sites, but TJI will post it coherently and more in context than video posted on those sites usually is. It will be in three parts for you to enjoy. Part I is up today and the next two in the next few days. It was a long, difficult transfer from DVD to “usable on the site” video, so I hope you enjoy it.

And, if you do (or, even, if you don’t) please share your response with other fans on TJI.

You can watch it in the TJI.com Video Library.

Just a few days left to order your calendar!

Pogonophobia is the medical name for a fear of beards. (Hey! I don’t make this stuff up!). Movember is a worldwide organization that raises money to support research and care for men’s health and uses the moustache (and, often) the beard that may go with it) for the cause. But, what is “Movember?” Their website tells you that:

“The Mo, slang for moustache, and November come together each year for Movember.

“Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple, start Movember 1st clean-shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month. The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for cancers that affect men. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.

“The idea for Movember was sparked in 2003 over a few beers in Melbourne, Australia. The plan was simple – to bring the moustache back as a bit of a joke and do something for men’s health. No money was raised in 2003, but the guys behind the Mo realized the potential a moustache had in generating conversations about men’s health. Inspired by the women around them and all they had done for breast cancer, the Mo Bros set themselves on a course to create a global men’s health movement.

In 2004 the campaign evolved and focused on raising awareness and funds for the number one cancer affecting men – prostate cancer. 432 Mo Bros joined the movement that year, raising $55,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia – representing the single largest donation they had ever received.

The Movember moustache has continued to grow year after year, expanding to the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands and Finland.

“In 2009, global participation of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas climbed to 255,755, with over one million donors raising $42 Million US equivalent dollars for Movember’s global beneficiary partners.”

Not sure how “Mo Sistas” directly participate, but it is a good cause and should get attention, as does breast cancer.

So? What does Tom Jones have to do with all this? Aside from the fact that, the UK’s Beard Liberation Front named his a “Beard of the Year” in 2008 and, with that beard, comes his moustache.

Well, students at the Desautels Faculty of Management business school at McGill University in Canada, put together a fundraising video for Movember and, quite appropriately, used Give A Little Love. as their soundtrack. You can watch part of their very cute video (TJI space limitations prohibited the listing of cast and credits, including Sir Tom) here. Sadly, the quality didn’t translate very well, but you’ll get the point. (And that bit from The Simpsons at the top of the cliff is so true….about many universities and many other things, too, isn’t it?!

If you live in the US, you can find out more about Movember here. In other countries just google “Movember” and your country’s branch will come up.

(Thanks to TJI’s friend, Dre.)

There are only a few more days to order your 2011 TJI Fan Calendar. Please don’t forget and, also, remember that the calendar is a unique gift for another fan.

The Jones Performance Calendar Seems To Be Filling Up Quickly: Virtual Festivals says Sir Tom will do a June 11 appearance at the 10th Anniversary Isle of Wight Festival.

They quote Festival promoter John Giddings: ‘What can I say that hasn’t been said about this man and his voice? We are so proud that he has chosen to play our Festival next summer. It will be incredible…” Tickets are available here. (Though not listed yet, tickets to see Sir Tom should be available soon so keep checking the site.)

A Scottish newspaper is speculating that Sir Tom is a “contender” to be one of the first performers at a new, 12,000-seat venue — a 1699 stately home outside of Edinburgh this summer. Other contenders are said to be Elton John, Ronan Keating and Lionel Richie. In 2000 Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris played there. It is a beautiful part of the world and, any concert there is, if nothing else, performed against a beautiful backdrop.

In Tom’s show in Denmark Wednesday night, he sang Praise and Blame and, then, added a few more songs. The first was Green Green Grass of Home. This time, he didn’t do it as he was earlier this year, the beautiful stripped-down version with some of the band harmonizing. He also sang I’ll Never Fall In Love Again and the show closer, It’s Not Unusual. These may not all be favorites of yours, but it nice to hear them again. And, on that note, there is video. It was taken from the very back of the theater but the sound — most important when it’s music — is pretty good. Again, I’d like to note that when he was in Las Vegas in August, he managed a nicely balanced set list. The old stuff was greeted warmly as was the new material and the latter left the crowd wanting more of it. Balance is a good thing.

You can check it out in it in the TJI.com Video Library.

To all in the USA, TJI wishes you a happy Thanksgiving. Clearly, having once again donned his pilgrim hat, Sir Tom would also wish the same.

As you think about those things for which you are thankful, you most likely include that music which is the soundtrack of your life. Part of that soundtrack is most certainly Tom Jones.

Back in 1970, when such things were common, Sir Tom did a brief recording thanking his US fans and introducing Daughter of Darkness. This is one of many such recordings and they’re always fun to hear. It is Tom Jones in his first prime. You can listen to it here.

Again, best wishes for a wonderful day to all — even those not specifically celebrating today because, one supposes, we should give thanks every day.

And, if any of you are going to see Sir Tom tonight in Oslo, please wish him — since he’s someone who’s lived half his life in the US and surely has celebrated the holiday — a very, very Happy Thanksgiving!

Tom performed on behalf of the UK charity War Child at the November 10th British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME) Awards. An acquaintance who was there wrote me, “I never thought much about Jones but you were right. He was smashing and everyone was talking about how he was scheduled for three songs and sang five. As soon as I can, I want to see an entire concert.”

Celtic Connections is billed as the world’s largest winter music festival and, Tuesday night, it won an award as the UK’s best festival. The 2011 edition runs from January 13 through January 30 in Glasgow. Music fans there are very fortunate because, although it’s not on the festival’s official site yet (it is on TJ.com) Tom will be there on Monday, January 17, 7:30pm at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium. It is part of the festival’s tribute to American gospel music and is being supported by (read: “funded by”) the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (Where was he January 17 2010?). Also at the Festival will be, among a loooooong list of performers, Roseanne Cash, Bettye LaVette, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Ani DiFranco and there will be a large 70th birthday tribute to Bob Dylan. Sounds like a great event. Group fares, anyone?

The photo at left is a screen shot from a video of a very brief news clip from the Prince’s Trust Rock Gala. It shows Sir Tom performing and his red carpet interview is also in it. Excellent editing job and, maybe I’m the only one, but I found it amusing that as he’s talking about Prince William and his intended, the song being played is Strange Things.

You can click to watch the Princes Trust news clip.

As usual, if you cannot play it, drop me a line using the “Contact TJI” link at the bottom right and I’ll email it to you.

A Danish newspaper today had a story about the president of Tom’s Scandanavian Fan club, Kim Lønberg, shown here with his wife and Tom in September 2009. Isn’t it nice that, every time he’s near Tom, he gets to go backstage and talk with him?

Danish fan has followed Tom Jones for 42 years

The album Praise & Blame backdrop for Tom Jones’ intimate concert in Denmark. His fanclub is excited at the new sound If he is not Denmark’s biggest Tom Jones fan, so he’s certainly close.

Kim Lønberg has followed the Welsh womanizer since 1968. When Jones visits Copenhagen on Wednesday, Lønberg once again in the front row.

“It’s mainly his voice that [I like]. A real adult voice. And his performance on stage and all his charisma. I just think he is good, “says Kim Lønberg who is chairman of the Scandinavian Tom Jones fan club.

When Tom Jones visits Denmark, it is with a very exclusive concert, which only played songs from the latest album Praise & Blame, a blues and gospel album that the head of Jones’ record label called “a sick joke,” while several critics have been extremely excited about the panty thief’s new sound.

“I was just getting used to the new style but I think it’s a really good album. His voice comes to out in a completely different way, “says Kim Lønberg.

“It becomes a very intimate concert. I’ve seen clips from his concert in Holland on You Tube, and there is much more ‘connection’ with the audience. He comes completely beyond the stage,” says an excited Kim Lønberg, who with his wife will meet Tom Jones before Wednesday’s concert.

“We often meet when we are near each other,” says the Danish fan club Chairman who does not have figures on how many concerts he has attended.

“A guesstimate may be 30-35 times. I was once invited to Las Vegas by an American, I know and only then I saw Tom Jones’ show every night for 10 days straight.”

Tom Jones in concert at Vega on Wednesday at 8 pm.

For a really terrific fan review of Tom’s show in Sweden Sunday night, please click here to (more…)

There are only about 10 days left to order your 2011 fan calendar. They will be arrive in time for Christmas (sorry, but they can be a late Chanukah gift) and do make a terrific, unique gift. So, don’t forget to order!

The End of the 2010 Tour? One can never be sure, but it looks like Sir Tom will be getting a holiday rest, as his listed-so-far tour dates in Europe end Thursday (Thanksgiving in the USA when, for so many years, he played Atlantic City). Hopefully, he’d find some time for US promotion of the wonderful Praise and Blame and, perhaps, his latest greatest hits collection. in fact, Greatest Hits Rediscovered is at #86 on the UK charts this week.

Wednesday, November 24, Cøpenhagen, Denmark, Store Vega 8 pm.Tickets available here
Norway: November 25, Sentrum Scene, Oslo: 8 pm: 18 or older; tickets are available;here.

And, of course, if you go to one of these (and TJI knows some of you are) will you please take the time to share your reviews? Will he be doing only Praise and Blame? Or will it be more like Las Vegas in August, where there was a fine mix of music? Inquiring minds want to know.

Why Not? A fan from NY pointed out that the new Neil Diamond CD was the subject of a full-page national ad in the New York Times Sunday Arts and Leisure Section, one of the most prestigious national entertainment outlets, and she wondered why Tom’s new album wasn’t advertised. Well, I told her, my first home cost less than one of those ads. She responded that there was a time when Tom’s work was advertised in many types of publications across the USA and it did very well. She was right. And, certainly Praise and Blame is deserving. Ads such as these have a lot to do with the record company. It’s a pity that they didn’t do it.

Finally, even though Sir Tom didn’t make the People Sexiest Man Alive issue,, I am celebrating because my friend Lior Suchard did make the list. In the section titled “Sexy at Any Age,” there he was, age 28. I’ve mentioned him here and recently reviewed his show. He is a phenomenon and, if you have an opportunity, you should go to see him. You will not believe it! Not only is he very gifted, but he’s a very nice guy. I might have mentioned him here before because I did write a column about him.

As we’ve covered here at great length, Sir Tom appeared Wednesday night in the 2010 Prince’s Trust Rock Gala (and his statement that he’d sing at the Royal Wedding if invited is still making news). Friday night he appear3ed in the children In Need fundraiser. Started in 1980, the organization, whose events include a seven-hour entertainment extravaganza broadcast on the BBC, has raised more than £500 million to carry out its mission. Below are links to the news coverage of the event, one of the nicest videos ever posted on TJI — Lou Reed’s A Perfect Day sung by Lou Reed, Bono, Skye Edwards (from Morcheeba), David Bowie, Suzanne Vega, Elton John, Sir Andrew Davis (conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra), Boyzone, Lesley Garrett, Burning Spear, Bono, Sir Thomas Allen, Brodsky Quartet, Heather Small (from M People), Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynette, Shane MacGowan, Sheona White (BBC Young Brass Soloist of the Year 1996), Dr. John, Robert Cray, Hugh “Huey” Morgan (from Fun Lovin’ Criminals), Ian Broudie (from The Lightning Seeds), Gabrielle, Evan Dando (from The Lemonheads), Courtney Pine, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Brett Anderson (from Suede), Visual Ministry Choir, Joan Armatrading, Laurie Anderson and Tom Jones, recorded for the 1997 Children In Need fund raising effort — and, then video of Tom appearance this year where, in addition to the now-standard Praise and Blame songs, he sings the most appropriate Give A Little Love (which, don’t forget, you can hear next month when you see Little Fockers). (By the way, Pudsey Bear is the mascot of Children In Need and his presence is part of most of the organization’s material. Cute little fella.)

Tom’s official website announced that, after receiving the Music Industry Trusts Award on November 1, Sir Tom visited the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy classes the other day. [And, by the way, there is also a Nordoff Robbins Center for Music Therapy in the USA on the campus of New York University in Greenwich Village.] The article below is excerpted/adopted from TJ.com website:

Tom Jones Visits Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London

When the award was announced in June, David Munns, Chairman of Nordoff Robbins and Chairman of the MITs Award committee said, “Tom Jones is one of those rare beings, a timeless entertainer, a great guy, who clearly loves what he does, and whose talent appeals to successive generations. Tom is Mr Cool, one of the world’s greatest singers and performers and we are extremely proud and honoured that he is the 2010 recipient of the Music Industry Trusts’ Award.”

To mark this recent achievement in Tom’s career, he visited the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Centre in North West London to learn a little more about what Nordoff Robbins is all about. It is the UK’s largest charity that specialises in using the power of music to transform the lives of children and adults constrained by illness, disability, trauma or isolation. The charity brings music’s transforming power to children and adults in need, through the delivery of music therapy services, music and health projects and community music projects, as well as education programmes and research.

During Tom’s visit he met Fiifi and Frankie and joined them in their music therapy session.

For the rest of this article, some photos and link to video, please click here to (more…)