Tom Jones International

The August TJI.com Question of the Month will be posted as soon as possible. The delay is due to the fact that I wanted to get this video up ASAP and didn’t want anyone who was away for the weekend to miss the posts below, including the Delilah video. In addition, there are atually an intelligent review or two, and photos, coming along.

PBS has announced its fall line-up. There’s lots of great stuff (Pinafore!) and among it all is Hugh Laurie promoing his CD that goes on sale in North America in September. And, of course, Tom will be on. If you don’t get PBS, of course TJI will have it for you.

GREAT PERFORMANCES debuts with Hugh Laurie: Let Them Talk – A Celebration of New Orleans BluesHouse, British actor Laurie showcases his passion for jazz and blues in an atmospheric special filmed in New Orleans. Laurie, on piano, guitar and vocals, performs with blues legends Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, and fellow countryman Sir Tom Jones. (Friday, September 30, 2011, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET)

Video: From the Suikerrock Festival in Tienen, Belgium, TJI has video of Sir Tom singing If I Only Knew, St. James Infirmary Blues and (yes!) Chills and Fever. The video could be better but the sound is good. Enjoy it!

You can see the video in the TJI.com Video Library.

And, if you haven’t seen them yet, there are 16 photos of Tom performing at Suikerrock a in the TJI.com Flickr set, Sir Tom At Festivals & Special Events.

At the Suikerrock Festival in Tienen, Belgium, Tom sang — believe it or don’t! — Chills and Fever! Raise your hand if you’d love to see that!

Ralph, a Dutch fan was at Suikerrock (the festival name comes from the sugar factory in this central Belgian city and translates as “Sugar Rock”), and kindly told TJI about the set. He said: “It was awesome!!!! There was a different setlist (from the North Sea Jazz Festival) with Sex Bomb and Chills and Fever!!! There were at least four songs I didn’t know or that he did not perform at North Sea. To me Sex Bomb was welcome back, Delilah was outstanding and Chills and Fever just amazing! I never heard it before live!!!

Many thanks to you, Ralph.

The photo at right is of Tom performing at Suikerrock. It, along with 15 more photos of Tom performing at Suikerrock are now in the TJI.com Flickr set, Sir Tom At Festivals & Special Events.

Here is a somewhat lame review of Tom at Sandown Park on July 27:
Tom Jones sets pulses racing at Sandown Park, Esher

11:14am Friday 29th July 2011 | By Louise Robertson | Elmbridge Guardian

Music legend Tom Jones showed you are never too old to swing your hips at his sellout Sandown Park concert.

His hip shaking 90-minute set had the women screaming and his hit Delilah took the sound up a few decibels, with houses a three-mile drive away able to hear the crooner and his crowd.

Songs from his latest album Praise and Blame kicked off the set after an evening’s racing, but classics such as Mama Told Me Not to Come and It’s Not Unusual came thick and fast.

Anita Whiting, from Weybridge, said: “It was such a brilliant night, I was dancing the whole time. He really got the crowd going and I had a great time.”

Martine so kindly sent a review of Tom’s show in Caracassone, France. It’s so nice when a fan understands that others want to know about these shows and is unselfish enough to share a review, isn’t it? So many fans go to shows where few other dyed-in-the-wool TJ fans can go and don’t bother with anyone else. When someone sends a review, it’s very gratefully received.

She wrote:

I’m coming down from my cloud to tell you that Tom’s concert at Carcassonne was very hot despite the cold weather.

Tom was in a very good shape and so was his voice.

Unlike his gig at Vienne wich was a jazz festival, this time was pure Tom Jones and the audience loved it!

He mixed old and new tracks and this time he added Sex Bomb a few minutes after the beginning of the concert so the crowed left their seats and men and women danced and shouted. I’m surprised by the number of men, young and less young who are true fans talking about Tom as a model for themselves.

I’m also glad to see that lots of young ladies in their thirties come to see Tom and love him.

I was seated by one of them, it was the first time that she came to see him and she got crazy. She left her husband and her daughter behind to go dancing in the aisles. She said that she was fed up with all those new rubbish singers and that (as my sister said at Vienne) now, she regrets not having seen him before.

Tom was fantastic! He smiled and laughed a lot.

At one moment a group of British fans bore a big Welsh flag and Tom showed his ring saying that it was supposed to represent the Welsh dragon but that in fact it was the picture of his mother-in-law who was the biggest Welsh dragon!

After a two-hour show, I left the arena with the deep hope that Tom would come back very soon.

Yesterday & Today: Several weeks ago Tom’s official site posted Bob Marley and The Wailers’ version of What’s New Pussycat. Before they posted that, over the years, I’ve collected various versions of songs Tom has done. Awhile ago I did discover that there were two versions of Delilah we can listen to and compare. Then, the arrangement Tom uses today was introduced, so there are three. There are videos posted of each.

The first is an early black-and-white video of a TV performance when the record was first released. The second is the Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s 1975 rendition, which reached #7 on the UK charts. The third version is from July 27, 2011 at Sandown Racetrack. Same song but different arrangements.

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

PS: Just wanted to note that many of us envy the “cold weather” Martine mentioned in her review above. And (may I brag?), my review of Engelbert’s show Sunday night is linked to on his website. You can read it here. I especially like the fact that his official site posted it even though I did criticize one aspect of his show. A friend of mine who is a real fan of his read it and called to ask me to change it. I explained why I couldn’t/wouldn’t change it and the review was still put on his site. Definitely a class outfit the understands criticism can be constructive.

On the right side of this post is a (duh!) a poster advertising Tom Jones’ appearance in Gandia, “the sea where the stars come together.”

I was asked to post this information by the people running the event and, looking at the local scenery, I can only say it was a pleasure! Gandia, as you can see from the photo below is a gorgeous beach town with about 55,000 people on the Costa Blanca near Valencia, Spain.

On August 16, in the plaza del Puerto (sounds like it’s near the sea) at 11 pm, Tom will be there.

You can get tickets here. If you don’t understand the page because you cannot make out the Spanish, go to translate.google.com and put in the UrL. That should work. Available tickets are €95, €75 and €25.

There are special hotel offers for concert-goers. If you want details, let me know and I’ll find out for you.

If you do go, please share your experience. And, if you have extra tickets (air and concert) please let me know.

So sad to read about Amy Winehouse. As young as she was, she influenced many people including, he said, Tom Jones. She was 27. Must be some special number. Curt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison also died when they were 27.

Sunday night, I had the privilege of seeing Engelbert in the Paris Las Vegas’ magnificent Theatre des Artes where, usually, Barry Manilow (and Sharon Hendrix:)) can be found. Enge was on stage for almost two hours, performing before a pretty full house in a venue that seats just over 1,500 people. He spoke about how good America has been to him and sang a tribute to the country — America the Beautiful and Battle Hymn of the Republic. It was an elegant show by a class act. I went into the show knowing Enge’s music but not particularly a fan. I am a fan now. And, after the show he was cordial and gracious.

In the USA, many people call Wednesday — the middle of the work week — “hump day” because, if you can get through Wednesday, the weekend is so much closer. Well, Wednesday, July 20 was “Hump Day” in Las Vegas declared because Engelbert got a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Fame (photo right, bottom) and, the day before, was presented with a key to the city by Mayor Carolyn Goodman.

I was present when a fan asked Tom if he’d like a star and he said he’d prefer the money to go to charity. That’s laudable but, on the other hand, the recognition for being one of the city’s most enduring entertainers (and a great tourist magnet) probably should get recognition.

Tom, on the other hand, has his handprints in cement at Resorts in Atlantic City (photo left, top) and his star in Hollywood.

Both Tom and Enge were managed by Gordon Mills at the beginning of their careers. Englebert wrote the song This and That under his real name, Gerry Dorsey, and Tom recorded it. The photo here is of a mint demo 45 of the song autographed by both men.

You can click here to listen to This And That written by Gerry Dorsey, performed by Tom Jones in the album A-TOM-ic Jones.

Thanks, Audrey. Photos of Engelbert by Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America)

If you live in Spain, Greece, Gibralter, Cyprus or Turkey you can win a trip for two to see Tom at Tatton Park. Check out the link.

On Thursday, July 28, Tom will play the Suikerrock Jazz Festival in Belgium. Opening for him will be the Belgian act Soulsister whose song Changes was covered by Tom in The Lead and How To Swing It. Dre sent the interview below.

Tom Jones

musiczine.net | by Jacqui Swift | July 18, 2011

AT the grand-old age of 71, Sir Tom Jones is at the peak of his career, looking and sounding like a man 20-years-younger.

After ditching the hair dye, snubbing the knickers and going back to the music that shows off his emotive, power vocals, he’s enjoying one of the most successful year’s of his five-decade spanning career.

Here Sir Tom talks to Jacqui Swift about his latest album, explains why he’s physically in tip-top form and why fans can expect nothing but the best from his headline and festivals shows across the UK and Europe this summer.

It’s been an amazing year for you. Would you agree you’re in the best form playing live than you’ve ever been? Yes. I change my set as we go along and it all depends on what we’ve recorded. We’ve got quite a bit of the new album Praise & Blame in the show now. Of course fans want to see the old hits too. And I’ll never get bored of playing those and seeing their reaction but the new album has opened doors.

Why has Praise & Blame been such a turning point for you musically? Because it’s real and recorded live. When I spoke to my producer Ethan Johns, he said that he was the man for the job, as all he does is make real music.
He’s worked with Laura Marling, Kings of Leon and Ryan Adams in the past. I don’t chase pop music fads, or try and make songs that will fit in with what’s on the radio. It’s the most natural of any album I’ve done. It was more like a band rehearsal with my rhythm section. Good wasn’t good enough. We wouldn’t settle for anything unless it was perfect.

For the rest of this article and another photo, please click here to (more…)

Meet Tom Jones Live in Newbury

Tune into Heart Breakfast Radio between Monday July 25 and Friday the 29th for your chance to not only be there, but MEET TOM JONES BACKSTAGE!

Each day, Matt & Michelle will describe a famous celebrity in their best ‘horse racing commentator’ voices. You’ll then be invited to call us on 0845 481 0011 and guess the name of the celebrity being described.

We’ll choose one caller at random each day, get the answer correct and you’ll be entered into Friday’s draw to win the main prize.

On Friday all 5 daily winners will be in the draw. The first person randomly chosen will win the exciting main Grand Prize, the 4 remaining winners will receive a Runner Up Prize.

The Grand Prize: •2 Premier tickets to Ladies Day at Newbury Racecourse, including racing •Party in the Paddock concert with Tom Jones •Backstage tour and meet Tom Jones •VIP hospitality in the Royal Box including a 3 course lunch (excluding drinks) • Exclusive After Party tickets in The White Room following the concert
Runner Up Prize: •2 Premier tickets for Ladies Day at Newbury Racecourse, including racing •Party in the Paddock concert with Tom Jones, •After Party tickets in The White Room following the concert •£100 spending money

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I’ve been wanting to post this since the site started but didn’t have it in the right form. Now, it is in the right form.

It’s 1989 and Tom Jones is a guest on the Dame Edna Experience.

Also on the show are Lauren Bacall and naturalist/author Gerald Durrell.

Not only is it a funny 15 minutes or so, but Tom sings what must be one of his best songs ever — At This Moment. And he does a Cole Porter duet with Ms. Bacall.

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

Moderator’s Note: Must say that July 20 is a very, very special day for me and it’s terrific to be able to celebrate it with such a hearty laugh! Thanks, Vince!

From the Daily Record (UK) here is your horoscope for Monday, July 18, 2011:
Virgo August 23 – Sept 22: IF you’re in love, then say so. If you fancy a night out with that bloke in accounts, ask him. If you’ve got a poster of Tom Jones in your bedroom that you kiss every night, then seek help. A day for love confessions.

Sorry, busy weekend — The Las Vegas Film Festival — so not a lot of time to prepare a post. By the way, Tom plays a festival or event in your country and you see a review, please email it to TJI. Thanks!

Also, news of Sir Tom is slim these days between shows. He’s performing Wednesday, July 20th, in Zurich. Looks like there are still tickets available. You can check here.

Meanwhile, the photo at right is a screen shot of Tom singing at T In The Park. Click here to see the video it is from — of Sir Tom singing It’s Not Unusual at T In The Park.

Click here for video of Tom singing Didn’t It Rain at T In The Park.

Just want to remind you that you can download these videos if you have QuickTime Pro or RealPlayerDownloader.

Pori Jazz Festival 2011: Tom Jones gig went in a gospel mood

From a Finnish entertainment website

The slope was already in good time during the day full of happy picnickers who were waiting for the evening headliner Tom Jones .

They were waiting for his hits, but the evening’s star chose to show a calmer side to his pop music instead.

Last year’s gospel album put out by Jones made ​made the show almost gospel and quiet arrangements of old hits. The gig was a stylish performance.

Gospel suits Jones, but the audience was not stirred. The atmosphere was at times devout, but expectant. The audience wanted hits, and when the first notes of Delilah sounded the audience burst into song and a couple of dances. In spite of the serene atmosphere, 71-year-old Jones attraction is still there.

The audience screamed with delight when the spry star singer, threw off his suit coat. And even if the Sex Bomb hits in this time were not heard at all, the audience threw panties. Wales’ tiger showed his serene side, which was perfect for a jazz festival repertoire

You can watch Tom sing I’ll Never Fall In Love Again and Look At Granny Run Run at PoriJazz in the TJI.com Video Library.

Check out the new photos from PoriJazz in the TJI.com Flickr set Sir Tom At Festivals & Special Events.

To those who celebrate, Joyeux Jour de la Bastille!

Early bird tickets for 2012 T In the Park are on sale now. No acts have been announced.

Below is another T In The Park review. It’s sweet but the reviewer got a few facts wrong. For example, the song is called You Can LEAVE Your Hat On and, while he did record it, the real hit recording of Detroit City (before Tom’s hit #16) was Bobby Bare, not Jerry Lee Lewis. Nice review, anyway.

T in the Park 2011: Sir Tom excites Main Stage masses

Jul 12 2011 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

MUSIC legend Sir Tom Jones wowed one of T in the Park’s largest-ever Main Stage crowds on Friday evening as he dipped into his expansive back catalogue.

Taking to the stage at 7.05pm, the Welsh superstar emerged under light blue Kinross–shire skies and addressed the 60,000-strong audience.

“I thought it was meant to be raining, T in the Park,” he quipped. “It is great to be here!”

Dressed in a black suit and a dark polo-neck top, Jones kicked-off his 12-song set with Burning Hell, taken from his 2010 album Praise And Blame, before launching into Elvis number Run On.

The varied audience cheered in appreciation for gospel track Strange Things and St James Infirmary Blues, which was recorded with Jools Holland.

Chatting about the history of each song, a smiling Tom received a chuckle from the welcoming masses after inquiring: “If it’s called T in the Park, why is no one drinking tea?”

Supported by a full band, incorporating an organist, backing singers and a brass section, the sprightly showman then shuffled his way to into a spectacular finale after airing two of Jerry Lee Lewis’ country classics, Green Green Grass Of Home and Detroit City.

Conducting the loudest sing-a-long of the weekend, the charismatic 71-year-old bounced around the stage as revellers swayed and women screamed in excitement to the familiar melodic tones of Delilah.

Tom’s mighty vocals powered through toe-tappers Mama Told Me Not To Come, You Can Keep Your Hat On and It’s Not Unusual before closing with his popular version of Prince’s Kiss.

Revellers were left in great spirits by the impressive hour-long, feelgood set which proved to be the perfect start to the weekend.

Video: I saw this on youtube and a couple of people posted it on Facebook. What made me post it here, aside from the fact that it is rare, is that Heaven Help Us All was written by a songwriter named Ron Miller. I know his daughter, Lisa Dawn Miller, and she is a very gifted singer. In addition to this song, Miller wrote some terrific stuff, including Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday, Touch Me In the Morning and the classic For Once In My Life. He is a songwriter we should all know. You can see Lisa soon in Las Vegas in Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show. Check it out, it’s lots of fun.

Anyway, to see Tom Jones perform Elvis Costello’s I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down and Ron Miller’s soul classic Heaven Help Us All during a televised concert in Moscow in 1994, please click here to go to the TJI.com Video Library.