On Wednesday in Melbourne, Tom added a song to his set list. It is the Elvis number, One NIght. The song was on his 1981 Mercury album, Darlin’ and, as is Elvis’ version, it’s lots of fun to listen to.

The people at Cirque du Soliel just recently opened their new show, Viva Elvis and the song is included in the show but, sadly, Elvis himself probably wouldn’t recognize it.

The actor playing Col. Tom Parker, came onstage and informed the audience that Elvis had a twin brother who died at birth and Elvis missed his twin his entire life. Thus the it is introduced.

Now, if you know this song, you know that it is a love song, a song about sex, more shouted than sung and is very effective. But here, for some reason, it’s used to portray brotherly love. So the two acrobats do their thing on a large wire guitar suspended upstage center. As they’re doing their acrobatics, there’s a woman sitting at an old upright piano very softly playing and singing the song. No argument that Elvis missed his twin. And no argument that these two guys cavorting on the guitar are really good at what they do. My only argument with it is against taking such a passionate number and doing this to it.

Anyway, you can see video of Tom’s version in Melbourne.here. It’s shot from far away from the stage and the sound could be better, but you get an idea.

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

Tom was awarded his star on June 29, 1989. His star was totally paid for by his fans who also nominated him.

Tom Jones

Actor | Singer
Born Thomas Jones Woodward on June 7, 1940 in Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom

The hit 1965 single It’s Not Unusual put Welsh singer Tom Jones on the musical map, turning him into an international sensation known as much for his sexual charisma as for his vocalizing.

From the mid-1960s through the early-’70s, Jones enjoyed such other memorable chart busters as What’s New Pussycat?, Delilah, Daughter of Darkness and She’s a Lady. He also sang the title theme for the James Bond movie Thunderball.

During this era, Jones performed live in Las Vegas and in New York, where screaming women would routinely hurl their underwear and hotel room keys at the curly-haired sex symbol while he sang. He starred in several popular TV variety series and appeared on many TV specials around this time as well.

The singer has reinvented himself over the years, finding major success on the country music charts, all while continuing to tour, record and appear on TV and in the occasional acting gig.

In 1999, Jones released Reload, his biggest-selling album ever, mainly composed of cover duets sung with such eclectic talents as the Pretenders, Barenaked Ladies and Van Morrison.

The singer, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006, has been married to his wife, Melinda, since 1957 (they were both 16 at the time). They have one son, Mark.

— Gary Goldstein for the Los Angeles Times March 1, 2010

Click here to and see the Melbourne review.

Below is a somewhat odd and very short review of Tom’s Melbourne show Wednesday night. And, either the guy got it wrong, the setlist was rearranged or — and I hope not — he’s dropped the fabulous closer, Take Me Back To the Party.

Tom Jones thrills all-ages concert at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne

Mikey Cahill/March 11, 2010 11:12PM/Herald Sunday

EVERYONE should see Tom Jones hit a sailing, wailing six-second “ohhhhh” note at least once in their lives.

Tonight the Welsh crooner hit plenty of those cheeky “yeahs” and several cantankerous “ha ha ha’s” in a set that satisfied a crowd of senior citizens, baby boomers and a surprising number of Generation X and Y’ers.

Clearly, the sex bomb is still talkin’ ’bout your generation, however pronounced your crow’s feet are.

Wearing a navy blue velvet dinner suit that would make George Costanza proud, Jones didn’t walk across the stage, he sauntered.

Jones warmed up with a brassy Thunderball then really got the crowd involved with a spirited Delilah, that had fans’ arms akimbo and – appropriately – a pair of underwear landed on stage during the climax.

Four more pairs were lobbed during What’s New Pussycat, much to the amusement of his 10-piece band.

“I’m a good age now. I’m 69 … I couldn’t resist,” he said.

Ending with pelvis-heavy Kiss, the leathery silverfox didn’t disappoint.

Photo: Andrew Tauber, Herald Sun

Shortly after that ad was done, Tom worked on, and released Reload. To promote it he made lots of TV appearance in the UK (CD wasn’t released in the US. (Perhaps it was believed we wouldn’t get it?) At any rate, among the promo appearances was the usual one on the Jools Holland BBC show, Later.

TJ has almost 10 minutes of video from that appearance where, accompanied by the tremendous Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Tom sang solo and with Cerys Matthews, performed Baby, It’s Cold Outside. (The cover of their single is at left, in case you didn’t guess. That is not them in the picture.)

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

*Yogi Berra, a beloved figure in New York, is a former catcher for the NY Yankees and, after he stopped playing ball, was a broadcast commentator and a manager. He is famous also for his unique turns of phrase. There are many, many examples, including: “It ain’t over ’til it’s over,” It’s like déjà vu all over again,” When you get to a fork in the road, take it,” “Nobody goes there anymore because it’s too crowded.”

They’ll be at:
• Manchester Academy 2 on Friday, March 26
• Birmingham Glee Club, Sunday, March 28
• Cadogan Hall, London, Tuesday, March 30

For tickets, go to LiveNation’s website (and we’re familiar with that, aren’t we?)

It promises to be a terrific show and, if you can, go….and be sure to say hi to Herman. (Don’t forget to check out his website and, if you wish, try some of his peanut brittle.)

Tom did another Day On the Green show in Launceston, Australia Saturday. There was an almost-sold-out crowd of about 6,000 and, clearly, a good time was had by all. The review below, even if you’d never seen Tom do a show, is really a testament to the fun the audience and Tom have when he performs. And, if you’re a believer, you’ll say, “Of course the skies cleared when it was time for him to perform!”

He’s still got it

GABRIELLE HALL/10 Mar, 2010 10:06 AM/Northern Argus, AU

He might be nearly 70, but Sir Tom Jones proved he has still got ‘it’, wowing a large crowd at a day on the green at Annie’s Lane, Watervale, on Saturday night.

Just under 6000 people flocked to the event and not even cold, wet conditions could dampen the spirits of fans, many of whom donned ponchos, rain jackets and even plastic bags to keep dry.

Amongst intermittent rain showers, Melbourne’s Wolfgramm Sisters kicked off the entertainment, followed by David Campbell who was well-received by the audience and got them in just the right mood for the main event.

Tom Jones arrived by car and was greeted in Watervale and surrounding towns by numerous pairs of knickers strung along various locations — possibly larger in size than those that may have greeted him in his earlier years.

The ‘a day on the green’ signpost outside the Watervale Hotel featured three large white pairs of knickers with “Welcome Tom” lettered on them as a welcome.

Click here to

The skies mostly cleared for the much anticipated main concert, and the crowd was not disappointed with the rock legend’s performance.

With his twinkling eyes and smooth voice, Jones had the audience on their feet.

As well as some of his newer songs, Jones’s most well-received songs included a number of ‘old favourites’ including Delilah, Green Green Grass of Home, If I Only Knew, Save The Last Dance For Me, What’s New Pussycat, She’s a Lady, Leave Your Hat On, Sex Bomb, Take Me Back to the Party, Kiss and “the song that started it all off” for him It’s Not Unusual.

Of course a few pairs of obligatory undies were flung towards the star on stage, but it probably would not be a Tom Jones concert without them.

A day on the green promoter Michael Newton, from Roundhouse Entertainment, said the performers “had a great time”.

While Tom Jones was driven from Adelaide for the performance, David Campbell and The Wolfgramm Sisters stayed locally after the event on Saturday night and Mr Newton said all had been impressed with the location.

“All the acts said what a beautiful area it was and they were blown away by the historical buildings and beautiful location,” he said.

“They all knew a bit about the area and were asking questions about it.”

Mr Newton said he was looking forward to returning next year for ‘a day on the green’.

As Tom Jones signed off on Saturday evening with “we’ve had a ball up here tonight and hope you have too. Until we meet again, goodnight and God bless you all”, revellers made their way back to their cars and buses, many in chorus with some of the show favourites.

While not necessarily in tune, there was no doubt they had all “had a ball” too.

OK, Mr. Vassar, let’s get honest here. Among the mix of entertainers in AC this year are: Engelbert, Frankie Valli, Dion, Michael Bolton, Neil Sedaka and, the only one who’s sold out thus far is Jeff Beck. Clearly, Mr. Vassar is being less than honest….perhaps the reason is that the casinos aren’t offering as many multi-night engagements and are offering a lot less money. (And, by the way, since when does Michael Bolton appeal to a young crowd?

Steven Morris/Monday 8 March 2010 13.07 GMT/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/mar/08/tom-jones-employment-jobcentre-records”>Guardian

He went on to sell many millions of records across the world, but employment office records suggest the civil servants who dealt with Tom Jones before he made it big were sceptical and perhaps a little jealous.

Found in a skip and now up for auction, the records include pointed remarks that mock him for signing on rather than signing autographs.

The notes also reveal that he preferred not to do shift work because it interfered with his burgeoning pop career and, it would appear, donned dapper outfits when he attended the employment office in his native south Wales.

One comment from the employment office in December 1963 states: “He does not want shiftwork but I believe the reason for his not liking shifts is because he is a member of a vocal group which is supposedly an amateur affair.

“From the number of adverts one sees in the local press, however, it seems that this group has a good thing going … from the way he is able to dress, it would seem that Mr Woodward’s [his original name] little hobby is highly lucrative and this would also account for his non-enthusiasm in securing employment.

Click here to

“Consider and submit as soon as possible to anything which wouldn’t dirty his fingernails! Nothing on offer at present …”

By March 1964 there is this comment: “No change in employment position but his vocal group is contemplating turning professional within next month or so …”

A month later a civil servant noted: “His group has still not turned professional but they are in close contact with Decca Records and are awaiting notification as to when they will record their next record.”

The final entry, written on 3 July 1964, makes interesting reading with the benefit of hindsight: “Claimant showed me a letter from Decca Studios confirming a recording session had been arranged. He has been talking about ‘going professional’ since April but he is still signing the UR [unemployment register] and not autograph books.”

The records, contained on six buff-coloured cards, were found in a skip some years ago. Richard Westwood-Brookes, from Mullock’s auction house in Ludlow, Shropshire, which is selling the notes, said: “These cards were rescued when the records were computerised. They are a wonderful look at the beginning of a glittering career when Tom Jones was trying to make a living from his singing. It shows how he did a number of manual jobs and also received some unemployment benefit.

“There are also some quite acerbic and sarcastic remarks made by the civil servants about him. The records set quite a scene with attractive Tom Jones in his tight trousers and smart clothes on one side of the desk and the civil servant on the other.”

The notes mention that Jones suffered from TB. “It’s amazing to think that such a voice came from a man who had suffered from the disease. Tom Jones is a huge international star and these records are highly collectable,” Westwood-Brookes said.

Sir Tom Jones turns 70 this year. The auctioneers hope the records will sell for thousands when they go under the hammer on 15 April.

Several years ago Pepsi briefly marketed a product called Pepsi Kona. As the name tells us, it was a combination of Pepsi and Kona coffee.

The product, produced in a Pepsi plant in the Philadelphia area, was test-marketed in a few places on the east coast. Couldn’t find an exact date but, if this really was a commercial, it looks like the late 1990s or early part of this century.

Pepsi Kona was pulled as, apparently, the consensus was that it tasted terrible. But the commercial is clever and fun.

If anyone knows about this, please email me using the contact link at right so I can post the info where all can see it.

You can watch the commercial here.

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

There can be no argument: Sammy Davis, Jr. was one of the greatest entertainers we were ever fortunate enough to see. Dancing, singing, acting — he did it all. I saw him in person a few times, the first when I was nine years old. I will never forget it.

Las Vegas also, indirectly owes Davis a debt. When the Rat Pack — Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford — played here originally, Davis had to stay on the “West Side,” that part of Las Vegas where black entertainers — who had to go in and out of the casinos through a kitchen door — stayed. They couldn’t stay where they were playing. (At the time, very segregated Las Vegas was known as “The Mississippi of the West.”)

Well, one day around 1960, Frank Sinatra had had enough of that. He told the management at the Sands Hotel, “If Sammy can’t stay, I can’t play.” Thus, for the first time — and always from that day on — a black performer could stay in a hotel on The Strip. Davis — with and without the Rat Pack — continued to play here for another 30 years or so.

That’s why, when Dre sent links to some 1966 video of Tom on the Sammy Davis, Jr. Show, (March 18th) I got caught up in nostalgia and looked for more of them together, found it and put them together in a video.

The first two clips, in black and white, are from 1966, Davis’ TV show. The first song they do is the beautiful Scarlet Ribbons. Check out how Davis sort of imitates Tom while they’re singing. Then they do a unique version of What’s New Pussycat.

The last three clips are from two episodes of the second season of This Is Tom Jones in 1970 (season #2; episode #s 2 and 26). They sing Thanks For the Memories, A Little Help From My Friends, A Boy Named Sue, Oh, Sweet Blindness, My Way, and And When I Die, Next up, from that same show, is the very moving Mr. Bojangles, which is included on one of the TITJ TImeLife DVDs. And, finally, Sammy — dressed in a 1970s-defining jumpsuit, sings one of his maay hits, For Once In My Life.

The clips from Sammy’s show are very old, transferred from a movie camera to video, but I still hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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

By CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN/ March 1, 2010, 3:16pmManila Bulletin

Tom Jones, the international pop sensation who captivated millions with the beauty and charm of his timeless love songs and romantic ditties, will be reunited with his countless Filipino fans when he visits Manila for a concert on March 28 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Titled Tom Jones Live In Manila! the one-night musical event from Ovation Productions is part of the Welsh star’s Asia-Australia tour that also includes New Zealand.

It will showcase a breathtaking array of classic and contemporary hits from one of the most acclaimed and enduring personalities in pop music, such as It’s Not Unusual, Delilah, Green Green Grass Of Home, Help Yourself, Love Me Tonight, I Who Have Nothing, She’s A Lady, Kiss, Sex Bomb, Black Betty and Stoned In Love.

The concert promises an unforgettable treat for music lovers from a singer and entertainer who is endowed with a special appeal and attraction that translate into an indefinable and lasting chemistry with his audience.

With his gorgeous baritone in absolutely perfect form that can reach every corner of the concert hall, Jones turns every performance into an absolutely delightful and entertaining experience.

Known in his native Wales as “Jones the Voice,” he is considered one of the most respected, admired and loved performers in modern popular music because of his unique vocal power, ability and appeal.

Tom Jones started his career in the 1960s and initially acquired a reputation as the front man for a local beat group in his native South Wales, until he was discovered by future manager Gordon Mills, who took him to London and renamed him “Tom Jones.”

Click here to

Jones became a sensation with the release in early 1965 of “It’s Not Unusual,” which turned into an instant hit, reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom and the Top 10 in America in March.

In the same year, he sang the theme song to the James Bond spy thriller, “Thunderball,” and received the Grammy Award for “Best New Artist” for 1965.

He maintained his top chart position in the UK and the US, propelled by his most successful single ever, “Green Green Grass Of Home,” plus a string of hit singles and albums, such as “What’s New Pussycat,” “Help Yourself” and “Delilah.”

In 1970, he achieved multiple successes in the UK with Daughter Of Darkness, She’s A Lady, Till and The New Mexican Puppeteer and scored a No. 1 country hit in the US with Say You’ll Stay Until Tomorrow, which also reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Considered as the biggest hit of Jones’ career was his Reload album (2000), a compilation of cover versions recorded as duets with contemporary artists, using their record producers and their recording methods. The album reached No. 1 in the UK and sold over 4 million copies worldwide.

This was followed by his 2002 album, Mr. Jones, which included the singles Tom Jones International and Black Betty.

Throughout 2000, Jones received a number of honors for his achievements, including a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music (2003) and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6608 Hollywood Blvd. He was also tapped as the new voice of Australia’s National Rugby League, singing in an advertisement to market the 2000 season.

Last year, Jones continued with his touring and recording activities, spending a major portion of the year performing at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He also had appearances in other parts of the US, the UK and Canada.

Of contemporary interest to local fans, Jones sang the national anthem of Great Britain during the boxing match of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009 in Las Vegas.

Tickets to the “Tom Jones Live In Manila!” are priced at P7,500, P6,500, P4,500, P2,500, P1,000 and P600 and are available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores.

Reviewed by Rachel Olding/March 5, 2010/Sydney Morning Herald

Entertainment Centre, March 3: THE beard has turned grey, the hips need some oil and the many decades of hanging out at the tanning salon have left Tom Jones looking more leathery than a chesterfield.

It seems unfair to judge a man who has been topping charts since 1964 by today’s pop concert standards. But what yardstick to use? Pairs of underwear? Yes, there were plenty of them. Sexual fervour? There was plenty of that, too. The performance was drenched in it from Sir Tom’s velvet moves to his velvet voice.

Jones’s management have at times tried to tone down his motel-room sex appeal but all attempts to quash that wild libido have been futile. Where ever he goes, bedroom eyes follow. Unfortunately, so too does a blanket of cheapness.

Hits were sung with all the elan of a naked karaoke session. What’s New Pussycat?, She’s a Lady and You Can Leave Your Hat On exploded like fireworks; bam, bam, bam. The undie count rose exponentially and so did the pelvic thrusting. But the hits were delivered in sporadic doses only. Long periods of underwhelming soul, jazz, blues, bossa-nova and country tunes were dreary despite an impeccable voice that still leaps between octaves with ease. Songs from his latest album, 24 Hours, and moving ballads had the crowd stumped — ”This isn’t what I paid for”, they might have been thinking.

Tunes from Jones’s collaborative era in the 1990s, when he realised after two decades of relative mediocrity that he needed to get in bed with Gen Y, were not enough on their own. Kiss needed Prince, Sex Bomb needed Mousse T, Mama Told Me Not to Come needed the Stereophonics.

Some will say he’s still got it, and for fleeting moments he did, but this performance belongs in the piano bar on a cruise ship. Perhaps it was the cheap perfume in the air or perhaps this love boat has sailed.

Want to tell the newspaper what you think of this review? Just click the link to email the editor at The Sydney Morning Herald. And, please let TJI know if you do.

The interview, recorded in London, lasts 11:43 and, like the transcript posted Monday, is still kind of rude and intrusive and, like the interview posted yesterday, shows a photo of Tom’s sister and identifies her as his wife. Again, too, he gets Tom’s real name wrong.

The thing is, he got several hours with Tom and wasted the time asking silly and — worst of all — obvious questions. Absolutely nothing is new or revelatory. What is nice, that isn’t in the transcript, are the clips vintage video clips. My favorite was Tom singing with Johnny Cash.

In fairness, Tom is clearly having a good time. I love when he points out the limo’s window and states the obvious — “That’s Buckingham Palace.”

Anyhow, have a look and, join me in thanking Sean for sending it from Down Under.

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