Tom Jones International

Some interesting stuff in the post from yesterday below. If you haven’t seen it, you might want to check it out and join the discussion.
If you’ve ever wondered that, here’s an idea of what three audiences looked like on three occasions a few years ago when Tom sang Delilah. The third group, pictured here, was photographed from behind. But the idea is clear: Tom looked out onto that sea of people. I wonder if one ever gets used to that.

These are once again from Lampie (who I sincerely and deeply thank for everything he sends). He says, “American audiences don’t understand the energy of the European audiences. Three clips, from 3 venues, of three choruses of Delilah. The last is Edinburgh Palace.”

I’d have to differ, as here in the US Tom rarely if ever plays such large venues. I’ve seen Elvis, Springsteen, U2 and others in similar ampitheatres (the Meadowlands, MSG and the MGM Grand Garden Arena, for instance) and the audiences probably looked just like this from the stage. They sure sounded like this. It must be amazing to perform in front of all these people.

Also, when Tom plays the terrific clubs like HOB, Terminal 5, Belly Up and the Hard Rock — for the audience they’re much better than any huge venue — the audience enthusiasm is difficult to contain.

The problem is that in places like the Hollywood Theatre in Las Vegas and other “regular” theaters like he just played in Florida, the staff sometimes treats the audience as if they were hostile forces and people aren’t left alone to have fun. And that’s a pity.

Anyway, here’s “Three Delilahs.” As usual, if you cannot view it, you know what to do.

Coming tomorrow! Two special posts: First, a Mother’s Day salute. Then, awhile later, a commemoration of a very special day in the life and career of Tom Jones.

Photographer Carston Windhorst was hired by LiveNation UK to take these promo photos of Tom in London on February 21.

Contrary to what he writes, they were likely not taken in Tom’s home, as he doesn’t own one in London. At any rate, he writes, “At the end of February I had the honor to shoot the one and only Tom Jones at his home in London. Tom – who had decided to go grey – was in need of new press shots and I was fortunate enough to be hired for the job.

“When I found out the photos would be used for his press campaign I was over the moon. One of my shots from the session has been used for the official tour poster.”

[Moderator's Note: The poster says Tom will play "plus special guests." What does that mean? Ya think it means his band and singers? And, no, I am not serious.]

The poster is the one that so appalled Norman in his comment following a post below.

What do you think?

If you’ve been to a show, please don’t forget to review it under the post below! Other fans are all interested.

Last week was “Famous Names Week” on the US version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Seth Green, not the performer but a consultant from Connecticut, was the contestant.

The “phone-a-friend” on the show was Ken Jennings, the game show player who holds the record for longest winning streak on Jeopardy and is the all-time leading money winner on US game shows.

At any rate, for $16,000, the question was: In his song, It’s Not Unusual Lounge Lizard Tom Jones does NOT sing: It’s not unusual: 1) to be mad at anyone: 2) to be glad with anyone: 3) to be in love with anyone; 4) to be kissed by anyone

The contestant didn’t know so he called Jennings who also didn’t know. But Jennings was asked if he “likes Tom Jones.” His reply? “Who doesn’t?”

If you object to the term “lounge lizard,” you can drop an email to the producers, Embassy Row. In the subject line, of course feel free to put whatever you wish:)

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From a new interview with Joe Cocker “Just shy of his 65th birthday, Cocker said he recently spotted singer Tom Jones in an elevator in Orlando, Fla. “‘I’m going to the lobby and I see this guy in a bathrobe and a beard with white hairs in it. And I think, oh, no, someone else who’s getting up there. We’re all old rockers.’”
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Musician Mike Finnigan, who’s touring with Cocker now, commented on a blog post: “Not name-dropping, but I’m touring with Cocker right now. A few days ago we checked into the Peabody Hotel in Orlando at about 3 AM after gig in St. Augustine and a bus ride. Who should we run into in the lobby bar but — a slightly baked — Tom Jones! He was working somewhere in the area. He and Joe had a nice little late night visit. Nice fella. A couple pals of mine are in TJ’s band and they said he’s got plenty of money, but he keeps gigging because he loves to perform.”

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Don’t forget! Herman Matthews & Friends back at the Bootlegger Bistro tonight for Midnight Music. There’s a full bar, half-price menu after midnight and lots of good music.

Tom plays the Hard Rock at Universal Studios in Orlando tonight and, this afternoon at 4 pm, Joe Cocker is the star at radio station WMMO’s Downtown Concert Series at Orlando City Hall. (If you hurry, a $49 VIP ticket will get you a seat close to the stage where you can access a cash bar and the bathroom!)

Can you imagine what it’d be like if Cocker comes to Tom’s show tonight? (Do you think they call each other when they’re in the same town?) They could duet on the song with which they both had hits — You Can Leave Your Hat On — or, maybe, on With A Little Help From My Friends. Both men are unique and each is a lightening rod for impersonators. (That’s the kind of factoid you learn living in Las Vegas.)

It could be quite a show!

Meanwhile, Anita is one of the many fans in the region who will be there tonight and she’s sent along a photo of the gifts* she’s bringing for Tom. Will he like them? Will she get to present them? What will happen? And how will the show be? Anita will be sharing her review and any photos. Hope others do, too.
Stay tuned.

*You may not know it, but Sugar Daddy, in addition to meaning a certain type of man, is also a brand of caramel lollipop here in the US (and Canada, too). As you can see, Anita’s bringing a pair of boxers with hearts and inside each heart are the words “Sugar Daddy;” a bouquet of Sugar Daddy pops and a card. The card says, “You’re solid gold. No, platinum. You’re unsurpassed and I’m impressed.” When it opens it plays Tina singing Simply the Best.

First, guitarist Mickey Gee — one of the original Senators who backed Tommy Scott died in February and it was pointed out his passing was not noted here. Gee is seated right in this photo with —from left— Tom, Dave Cooper, Vernon Hopkins and Chris Slade. So, here is part of his obituary from the Times:

Mickey Gee was one of those stalwart musicians whose playing was familiar to millions but whose name was known to very few.

Dubbed “the master of the Telecaster” after his favourite instrument and “the best guitarist ever to come out of Wales”, his skilled playing can be heard backing such Welsh stars as Tom Jones, Shakin’ Stevens and Dave Edmunds.

Born in Cardiff in 1943, he began playing the guitar in his early teens. In 1963 he joined a local band called Tommy Scott and the Senators. The group swiftly became the Playboys and then the Squires, with Gee acting as musical director.

After recording several tracks with the producer Joe Meek as Tommy Scott and the Squires, the group broke up at the end of 1964 when the impresario Gordon Mills offered the lead singer a solo contract. Tommy Scott changed his name to Tom Jones and went on to stardom, while Gee returned to playing pubs and clubs on the South Wales live-music circuit.

He went on to play with Joe Cocker, Shakin’ Stevens and several other notables and gained a reputation as a guitarist’s guitarist.

There’s still the story about the “shrine” to Sir Tom and the question on which your opinion is desired. So, please, (more…)

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When Tom was in Europe late last year, he went to Italy to do the TV show Carramba! Che Fortuna.

Its star, Raffaella Carrà is a singer and actress who hosts the popular program on RAI, Italy’s national TV network. Tom was on to sing If He Should Ever Leave You, which rose to #33 on the Italian charts for five weeks late last year-early this year.

During the interview in Italian and English, Carrà asks Tom, “Among the 24 Hours, what Is the Hour that you prefer?” Bet you can answer it but, if not (or even if you can), you’ll find his answer in the video which is posted in the TJI.com Video Library.

Today’s exclusive TJI.com DVD preview from This Is Tom Jones: What’s New Pussycat? is Carolina On My Mind performed by Tom and John Denver (photo right). Watching it, one is reminded of how popular Denver was before his untimely death at 54 in 1997 and how, whenever Tom sings country he gets that Southern lilt in his voice. It’s lots of fun. Tomorrow the last preview clip will be my own favorite from the DVD.

Remember, if you order the DVD from TimeLife by April 30 via the link at right you will be entered to win one of eight CDs of music that influenced Tom Jones — Jerry Lee Lewis: The Original Greatest Hits, AM Gold 1967 (three copies), AM Gold 1965, Living the Blues, Classic Love Songs of the 60s: Sealed with a Kiss or Elvis: Songs from the Movies (3-CD set).

For an explanation of the photo at left, read on.

Tom’s run at the MGM was stunningly successful. He drew enthusiastic audiences who seemed to love the man and his music. The last night there — which was last night — was not different. Tom wowed the crowd, even long-time fans who have seen him countless times. Some of them reacted like it was the first time they’d ever witnessed the miracle that is Tom Jones’ voice. Everyone going to see Sir Tom in April in Florida is in for a real treat and hopefully you’ll share your thoughts with other fans.

Notes On Rumors About Tom Jones’ Health: This run was not without controversy — at least in the minds of some people. On one fan message board there was speculation that forgotten lyrics to three songs in one show was a significant factor. People who participate on that board who know I’d seen Tom in Las Vegas emailed me about those posts and asked if they were correct. Some posters — genuine alarmists at best; malicious pot-stirrers at worst — even speculated at length that “Tom is losing his memory.” Let’s set the record straight. While that particular night Tom sounded a bit hoarse, the show happened to be beset by technical problems which threw off the music and, thus, the singer. That’s it. Stuff happens. As far as has been made public, there are absolutely no health issues involved. As far as anyone can tell, Tom Jones is in fine form — good voice, good health. Instead of leaping to conclusions, perhaps a bit of common sense is in order. There are people who get genuinely worried and forget the source is mere idle speculation. Because of that I, for one, wish nonsense like that would never see the light of day.

Click here to see the reason for posting the photo above left and to (more…)

The Official UK Charts Company has announced that (Barry) Islands In the Stream is #1 in the UK, having sold more than 5 million copies. MSN wrote, in part: “Speaking as her character Nessa Jenkins, Ruth Jones said: ‘I’m not going to lie to you, it made my week working with Tom again. We go a long way back. Simple as. And as for Robin, he’s been begging me for years to be my backing singer. I’m only glad I could make his dream come true. Tidy.’”

Last night the final show of Let’s Dance for Comic Relief series — in which a bunch of celebrities competed for the championship — was broadcast on BBC 1. The limited series began in February the champion was crowned last night. Comic, writer and actor Robert Webb (photo right) was the winner. You can see him perform What A Feelin’ from Flashdance here.

And, of course, on the finale show, SIr Tom, along with Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon showed up to sing (Barry) Islands In the Stream You can see the video of that performance here.

We wish Tom a safe journey back to the USA and some rest and relaxation of the kind one gets offstage before he has to come back to Las Vegas on Thursday. And, by the way, loved the Comic Relief neon sign in the video.

Thanks, Dre.

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The article below was posted last night without the photos. Pat sent them here today, along with a little something extra (and very silly). Check it out.

Last night Tom was at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. While we’re still waiting for reviews, here’s some video of Tom singing In Style and Rhythm and of Tom singing 200 Pounds, She’s A Lady., What’s New Pussycat?, Delilah, It’s Not Unusual and, of course, an all right video of most of Kiss.

Thanks to Mindy and the other person who posted these on youtube. As usual when shot under these circumstances, they suffer from bad lighting and the sound is odd. It’s being posted especially for all of you who don’t get to see Tom in concert to give you even a vague idea of what he’s doing these days.

Tonight Tom’s at The Warfield in San Francisco, a traditional theater. There are still balcony seats available. If you go please send a us review for other fans to share.

Because this is a special day — well worth special mention — the Question of the Month for March will have to wait a day or so….but it’ll be here soon. And, just below, almost a minute was added to the clips of Tom on Ant and Dec.

Today, March 1, is St. David’s Day, the Welsh national holiday (see info below).

But it’s also a very special day in the life and career of Tom Jones.

Forty-four years ago, on March 1, 1965, It’s Not Unusual hit #1 on the UK charts. It was the start of a glorious career but it’s probably a safe bet that no one back 44 years ago — even Tom himself — ever imagined that career would be as glorious as it turned out to be. Congratulations, Sir Tom!

St. David’s Day is named in honor (well, it’s a Welsh day, so we’ll write “honour”) of the patron saint of Wales. Saint David, or “Dewi Sant,” in Welsh, was a sixth century Celtic monk, abbot and bishop. He was the archbishop of Wales, and was one of many saints who helped to spread Christianity among pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain.

The traditional St. David’s Day emblem — worn on a man’s buttonhole — is the leek (above center), which also figures in a meal that day and the floral emblem is the daffodil which, historians say, really has no significance except that there was some confusion early on in the official Welsh “symbol-designating” department. Seems that the Welsh for “leek” is Cenhinen and the Welsh for “daffodil” is Cenhinen Pedr. Those who’ve studied it say the words somehow got confused and, ultimately, both symbols were adopted.

As for the Welsh dragon we all recognize, it was first noted as the Red Dragon of Cadwallader on the flag that led the Britons against the Saxons. The dragon has always been associated with Wales and Henry the Seventh used it as his banner at the Battle of Bosworth when he gained the English throne in 1485. Henry was also the first to use the dragon on his coins. This emblem of Wales has been reinstated on the reverse of some pound coins today.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus! Happy St David’s Day!

—Ellen

You may want to celebrate St. David’s Day and Tom Jones by visiting the TJI.com Video Library and just meandering around this site. Perhaps you’ll discover things that are new to you.