Fan Fare
Here’s where you’ll find TJ photos and stories that don’t fit into any other categories. It is, as its name says, just for fans — and, hopefully, for fun.
April Question of the Month: Who Are Your Other Favorites? And Why?
Sunday, April 2nd, 2006Our Question of the Month is:
Who are the singers you listen to in addition to Tom?
Please let us know who you like and why you like them.
April 2nd, 2006 at 2:12 pm
My favorite singers in addition to Tom are:
Jazz: Cleo Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and Al Jarreau for their outstanding vocal quality and phrasing; Contemporary: Barbara Streisand for her power and range, Robert Palmer for his unique tone, Lou Rawls for his smooth style and gorgeous tone; Soul: Marvin Gaye, Levi Stubbs (4 Tops), David Ruffin (Temptations) and James Brown — they sing from their gut; Popular: Maroon 5, Bono, Alicia Keys — I just like the way they sound!!
April 2nd, 2006 at 3:35 pm
I listen to Bette Midler, Lou Rawls, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Andrea Bocelli, Prince, Usher, Barry White, Luther, Sinatra and Earl Turner.
I do not, however, like Jerry Lee Lewis and I don’t understand why Tom thinks he’s all that. Tom is so much better than Jerry Lee.
—Ursula
April 2nd, 2006 at 3:46 pm
I must say, first, that I believe there’s a song for every occasion and every life has a soundtrack. My musical favorites are very difficult to enumerate.
Specifically, I listen to Bette, Barbra, Bruuuuuuuuuce and Bono (along with the rest of U2), some Beatles (really like Eleanor Rigby), lots of Buffet and — getting away from all those “B’s” — the Sinatra’s album, Songs for Swingin’ Lovers.
I also am a real Broadway baby, loving original cast recordings of all sorts (really dislike most movie musical soundtracks). And, though they were before my time, I love the music and lyrics of the Gershwins and Cole Porter and nothing is better on a quiet Sunday morning than some Baroque music in the background while you’re having coffee and reading the paper preferaby The New York Times).
One reason I like Tom so much is that I love the music of Elvis, Fats Domino, Chuck Berrrrrrry (as Tom would say), Little Richard and Jerry Lee. And, Ursula, I think the thing about Jerry Lee is the beat — that amazing piano pulsing and pounding out the tunes and, while not of a Gershwin-Cole Porter caliber, his lyrics work, too. Subtlety is not Jerry Lee’s long suit, is it? But this is the stuff I first heard blasing from my older sister’s phonograph and I grew up with it.
I am also thrilled that Tom’s doing the blues. One visit to Sun Studio in Memphis taught me about Howlin’ Wolf, etc., and I’ve been a devotee since then.
Here in Vegas, I’ve come to know and love Ruth Brown and Earl Turner. Both amazing.
In all, I just like music — all kinds and genres — and am obviously hard-pressed to choose one style and performer.
—Ellen
April 2nd, 2006 at 5:54 pm
Let’s go back to the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s…Nat King Cole, smooth, soothing tones of a very special singer/jazz piano player, Lou Rawls for the same soothing tones; the 60’s and early 70’s, Jim Croce, for his unique sound and style; the 60’s to present…Lionel Ritchie, another singer/songwriter who has a great beat and feelgood style; the 70’s to present…Rod Stewart for his style and stage personality; 2000 —Michael Buble, a great new Canadian singer, who is making his mark as a “Sinatraesque” balladeer.
There were so many great groups also from these earlier years, the Ink Spots, The Temptations, really too many to recall…
However, when it comes to my all time favorite…it will always be Tom, whose voice, music and sound can never be imitated. Love his stage presence, and, of course, who could ever sing I’ll Never Fall in Love Again with the same passion, or his fantastic Boy from Nowhere, Kiss, Only Once as Tom does??? He is simply the best!!!!
April 2nd, 2006 at 6:23 pm
Hey, Laura, I saw Cleo Laine last year and didn’t know what to expect (maybe a load of scat?). What a great performer though (I’ll admit she did go “scoobie-doobie-doobie” a FEW times throughout the evening). Did you see Al Jarreau doing that cracking gospel song with Tom on The Right Time in ‘92?
Steve Marriott of The Small Faces and later of Humble Pie is my favourite singer apart from Tom. He was a little person with a huge voice: http://www.stevemarriott.co.uk/index.htm
Paul Weller is a fabulous singer and songwriter who just keeps going and was influenced by Mariott: http://www.paulweller.org.uk/
Hearing Tom talk about his influences led me to enjoy listening to Jerry Lee Lewis (I waited a few hours for him to turn up late for a performance once) and Sam and Dave. I suppose those three have a very natural style and simplicity about their singing. Lauryn Hill is a great singer we don’t hear enough and I’ve also been known to give the waxings of Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin a good spinning.
Of bands it’s the later Beatles, The Small Faces, The White Stripes, The Strokes, The Kinks, The Beastie Boys, Sly and the Family Stone, Blondie (who were killer when I saw them last year) and Juliette and the Licks. All clever acts and able to rip it up too.
Bye!
April 3rd, 2006 at 5:25 am
I like the “Veterans of Vegas” Elvis; Engelbert; Wayne Newton; Johnny Mathis … I also like “old” country — Cash; Charlie Rich; Alabama; Glen Campbell; Ray Price ….some Disco era bands especially The Bee Gees. I then go back to the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s - Jerry Lee Lewis; Roy Orbison; Jackie Wilson; The Big Bopper (Helloooooo Baby!9: Jay & The Americans; America; John Denver…a whole variety. Luckily, I’ve been able to see Tom, Engelbert & Wayne live in Vegas. I missed Elvis (I was too young), but have been to Graceland many times. I think I like performers who use a “full orchestra” sound … lots of horns, violins, etc. I listen to some of the 80’s bands also — heavy metal, ‘hair’ bands, (Bon Jovi; G&R; Journey; Motley Crue;) and also No Doubt (love Gwen!)
That’s me ….
April 3rd, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Other than Tom? Well, Robbie Williams is my second choise. Then The Supremes, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Michael Jackson, some Finnish music.. ect. I do listen to many kinds of music, but so far only Tom and Robbie are the ones who I will mostly listen to.
April 4th, 2006 at 5:43 am
I’ve been thinking about this question since you posted it. I’ve read all the answers and I keep saying yes, I like him/her/them! I think my answer would be that any new CD that Tom releases I will buy. I have two teenagers and a husband who has a huge (7,000) record collection and at any given time in my house there will be three different kinds of music playing. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I like all kinds of music but the one constant in my life has been Tom. Probably always will be.
April 7th, 2006 at 5:33 am
I have to agree with Cathy. As I was reading the other replies, I kept thinking “Oh yeah! I like that person (or group).” And like most of you, I enjoy a wide variety of music from soul to rock and roll to jazz and blues to some old heavy metal. I’m not much into country which is probably why I lost “sight” of Sir Tom when he was going through his “country phase.” Now that I have been “reloaded,” I will buy anything and everything that Tom is a part of.
However, to answer the question, in addition to several who have already been listed, I absolutely adore Eric Clapton (my EC collection is almost as large as my TJ stack). Others include Hootie and the Blowfish (I love Darius Rucker’s voice), Los Lonely Boys, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Freddie King, Michael Franks, Etta James, Linda Ronstadt, and many others.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:37 am
Hi, I love Prince, and Barry White, Stevie Wonder, Alabama and classical. However, TOM JONES is my man….. —Julia
April 13th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
I was not around when Randy’s record and Howling Wolf were right next door in my neighborhood but, believe me, they are still here in spirit along with Roy Orbison. I have thought about favorites and I must add Roy Orbison and his Pretty Woman I wish we had more “new” artist like our favorite, Tom Jones. My husbaand says I am an old soul in this body.Good music makes me happy.
May 12th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
I love just about anything Van Morrison does. Would love to hear more of Van and Tom together! I like Hank William (sr.), Steely Dan, Everlast, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Ray Vaughn and his brother, Tom Petty, Jane’s Addiction, Black Crowes, Counting Crowes, and David (Dahveed) Garza (currently touring with Fiona Apple). No Doubt’s been groundbreaking. I like the Toadies and I like George Harrison and Bob Dylan, oh yeah, Harry Connick Jr. I’m all over the map, but Tom’s “The Voice”!
May 12th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
It’s great that the people who responded have such eclectic taste in music. I think that’s because, although he might be our favorite of favorites, Tom Jones own musical tastes are pretty eclectic and that’s one reason we like him….aside from any obvious ones.