Tom Jones International

Tom’s official website posted news that Praise and Blame will be promoted in the USA with “a handful” of performances.

With no more specifics (NY in March as TJI was told several days ago?) the first of the “handful” is in the beautiful Naples, Florida, Philharmonic Hayes Hall, Monday, April 25, 8 p.m.

The venue seats 1,460.

Tickets, which start at $79, go on sale Friday, February 4, 10 am here.

After watching the interview below, there were requests for the song Tom discussed, The Long and Winding Road. Don’t have the newer one shown in the interview but you can watch it as performed on the dreaded Canadian series here.

(I know it’s really too bad that Tom didn’t get to record this but, really, the single he released under the contract he had was Daughter of Darkness, a terrific song that only he could do.)

On July 6, 2009, TJI posted the transcript of an interview Sir Tom did to promote 24 Hours. The transcript of the interview was posted here. Now we have the video.

There are a few inaccuracies in the bio portion at the top of the interview but, on the whole, it’s a nice one to revisit.

(It kind of worries me that the Voice of America makes such simple errors when it is the network that is supposed to broadcast true things about this country to other nations. Ah, well, maybe this was an anomaly.)

You can check it out in the TJI Video Library.

“Dreaded Canadian Series?” A Note From Tom’s management, April, 2008:

In the comments on the post below, the question was raised about why I referred to the Canadian series as noted just above in quotes and in my response, I alluded to a note from his management’s UK office. Someone wrote and asked me to post it so, you can find that note in a TJI post that has that note from Tom’s Management talking about it. (Note that Rosie, who signed the email, is no longer with that office as she is a full-time photographer).

First, found a really fun website. Check out WhoSangThatSong.com and your questions on this topic will be answered. I found myself wandering around that site looking up a song I always liked but, turns out, I forgot who had the hit.

I didn’t really care who had the hit, but Tom Jones did a terrific version of it in his live show.

Check out this clip from the dreaded Canadian series where he also does it beautifully.

Here is Tom (good audio, not good video) singing We Don’t Talk Anymore.

As usual, if you cannot see it, drop a note using the “contact” link below right and I’ll send you the video.

Before the silliness, but still on a light note, long-time TJ fan and friend of many fans, Ginny DeMario, posted a wonderful video on her page in the blog, Graphic Arts and Human Interest, Ginny is a very gifted artist and a singer, too. Be sure to check out the link above and the video which she titled “55 Seconds of Pure Bliss.” Those seconds are devoted to Sir Tom Jones Backstage at the O2 Arena in 2009.

This is the time of year in the US when we hear “The State” of just about everything….the State of the Union, the State of Each State, the State of (a) County. Lots of politics and serious issues, not to mention what’s happening elsewhere in the world beyond our borders.

So, I just thought it’s as good a time as any — while we ponder these events and wait for regular, non-festival, smaller appearances — to have some fun.

When I looked for something that would fill that bill, I found it in an animation from Sensible Animation, “home of animated punk, glam and rock ‘n’ roll!”

There is a lot of clever stuff to watch there, including What’s New Pussycat.Samsung comes the most interesting video of sheepherders filling their time. The explanation from Samsung is as follows: Buzz continues to grow online regarding the clever and creative viral production by Samsung Electronics that shows LED-illuminated sheep running around the Welsh countryside at night.

The 2 minute 45 second spot, set near a 13th century Welsh castle called Caregg Cennen, has lit up the online community with nearly 4 million hits and thousands of great posted comments just a week after its release on 19 March 2009. It features skilled Welsh shepherds and their highly trained dogs herding flocks of sheep through several intricately coordinated stunts.

In the category of “silly but kind of fascinating,” we have this: If you remember the pre-show video with the flying sheep that was shown for a few years before Tom’s show, you’ll enjoy the video you can see by clicking here to (more…)

This is not official and could be totally wrong, but TJI has learned that Sir Tom and the gang may be in New York in March.

No other details, and it isn’t official until you see it on tj.com or, if it’s a public gig, until tickets go on sale.

But, maybe, it’s a good sign for a good spring! If any news becomes available, TJI will let you know.

A big thanks to you-know-who-you-are for the tip!

Ricky Ross, host of Another Country on BBC Radio Scotland interviewed Sir Tom at the Celtic Connections performance on Monday and then played a few tunes from the performance.

Ross’ show is one of the few I’ve heard that, in another country (I mean Scotland but his show’s title refers to the USA and our native country and blues music) actually focuses in depth on music that is not from the country where the show originates. He is very knowledgeable and fun to listen to. He’s on every Friday, 8:05 pm GMT and he gets outstanding guests.

Ross makes an interesting point about the organization of the CD — the track line-up — and he discusses that with Sir Tom. Just after the interview he play a live performance of Burning Hell. That is included in the TJI video but, as we’ve all heard the other songs so many times and Sir Tom was on for, perhaps 15 minutes of a 1 hour-50 minute show (2 hours with 10 minutes out for news), I just included the one song.

You will find it in the TJI.com Video Library. If you missed the video from the Prince’s Trust Gala posted Friday, you may wish to watch that, too. It’s directly under the BBC Radio Scotland interview.

(If you wish to listen to the entire show, you can click the “show” link in the paragraph above the TJI Video Library link.)

Problem with the video. Don’t forget to check it out! And, also, don’t forget to click the little button on the bottom right to enlarge the picture.

The photo at left is of Tom performing at the Prince’s Trust Rock Gala at Royal Albert Hall in London on Wednesday, November 17, 2010. The photo at right is of Tom and the great Jools Holland in a post-performance hug at the end of their set. When you watch Tom singing as Holland plays the piano, it’s clear that they’re two friends who enjoy working together.

Tom performed with Holland (their duet CD is one of my very favorites), solo and, at the end, joined Midge Ure, Mark King, Paloma Faith, Roachford, Mike Rutherford, Jamie Cullum, Phil Collins, Brian May, Roger Taylor and Alison Moyet at the finale, Queen’s great anthem, We Will Rock You.

Sky TV in Britain broadcast parts of the show and, starting Christmas night, Direct TV in the USA carried the broadcast. A friend was nice enough to record it and I was going to post it but it came in, edited, at 700+ MB and I couldn’t reduce it. So, until I can, I have only selections with Sir Tom. Please understand that the person who recorded it for me had the volume set quite low, so listen carefully, especially to approximately the first 12 or so minutes — the part with Jools Holland. The entire video is 24+ minutes.

Still, despite the shortcoming of the first section, I feel great that I can post this for you. I hope you enjoy it.

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

On Friday, January 21, 8:05 pm GMT (20:05) you can hear highlights of Tom’s performance at Celtic Connections on BBC Radio Scotland. Of, course we’ll have it on TJI Saturday. BBC will telecast highlights at a later date. Look for a special post tomorrow.

The line-up for the 2011 New Orleans Jazz Fest has been released and, though it hasn’t been posted on his official site as of midnight PST January 20, they have Tom playing on Sunday May 1. What a great venue for him! So sad that his friend Solomon Burke, a Fest fixture, didn’t live to play there with Tom.

But wouldn’t it be a great set if Tom, in addition to doing Praise and Blame (which he probably will do) also performed songs like St. James Infirmary Blues some of the numbers he did on Red, White and Blues? And, while he’s here, there’s Idol, the MGM — a world of possibilities!

Here’s part of the line-up for that day:

SUNDAY, MAY 1: John Mellencamp, Tom Jones, John Legend & The Roots, Dr. John, Alejandro Sanz, Arlo Guthrie, Kenny G, The Decemberists, Vickie Winans and Pete Fountain.

The Jazz Fest — a fabulous fixture in that New Orleans — runs April 29, 30, May 1, May 5, May 6, May 7 and May 8.

Also playing at the event on other days are: Arcade Fire, Kid Rock, John Mellencamp, Wilco, Willie Nelson, The Strokes, Robert Plant, Cyndi Lauper, The Decemberists, Bon Jovi, Wyclef Jean, Jimmy Buffett, Lauryn Hill, Tom Jones, Jeff Beck,The Avett Brothers, Sonny Rollins, Mumford & Sons, Alejandro Sanz, Jason Mraz, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, Lupe Fiasco, Jamey Johnson, Fantasia, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Gregg Allman Blues Band, Lucinda Williams, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Robert Cray, Edie Brickell, Keb’ Mo’, Rance Allen, Ahmad Jamal, Fourplay, Ricky Skaggs, Amos Lee, Jesse Winchester, Michelle Shocked, Tabou Combo, RAM, and Boukman Eksperyans of Haiti, Punch Brothers, Ron Carter Trio, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Ivan Lins, Charlie Musselwhite, Maceo Parker with guest Pee Wee Ellis.

Advance single day tickets are $45, the gate price is $60, and there is an array of special weekend and VIP packages.

Tickets are very reasonably priced and are available here.

Brit Award Nominations Announced On Tuesday: Ethan Johns, who produced Praise and Blame and who is, Sir Tom said, doing another with him, was among the nominees for Best Producer. I really hope he wins…..listen to his stuff with, not only Tom, but Ray LaMontagne, the Kings of Leon, 2011 Brit nominee Laura Marling and lots of others. He is terrific. If you missed it, you can check out my interview with him. In it Johns speaks of lots of things, including Sir Tom and notes that Tom’s son/manager Mark Woodward is “fabulous.”

Also nominated in the best “International Male Solo Artist” category is Bruce Springsteen. He’s competing against Cee Lo Green; David Guetta; Eminem and Kanye West. Seems to be someone missing.

Photo: Robert Perry

The Gospel Truth Choir that backed Tom onstage at Celtic Connections, welcomed him back stage. The video isn’t good (poor cell phone quality) but you can sort of see how pleased Tom was. Watch it here.

BBC Music critic Richard Bull reviews Tom at Celtic Connections. And, there were no knickers. I am so very deeply apologetic:)

Richard Bull Reports: I’ve always loved Tom Jones. Something about those classic records – tales of love and death delivered with heart and soul – coupled with his bluff, bullish personality. Some of you might dismiss him as a shouter, but Elvis Presley and Solomon Burke were fans, and I’d take their word over yours.

That said, I’ve hated pretty much all the records he’s made in the last forty years. Especially those that paired him with the latest trendy producer in an attempt to be current.

So it came as a huge shock when he released one of last year’s best albums: Praise & Blame, a stunning collection of gospel songs recorded live in the studio, stripped back and raw. When the Celtic Connections show was announced I was madly excited at the prospect of seeing Tom Jones performing this great new music.

For the entire review and a link to more new photos, please click here to (more…)