Tom Jones International

The Body & Soul of Tom Jones is the theme of the latest edition of the hour-long show, Sir Tom Jones: His Music, His Life, which airs every Friday night at 7 p.m. EDT and twice every Sunday, at 3 p.m. EDT and 10 p.m. EDT on Flaming Oldies. The show is hosted by our good friend Keith Cooper (who owned and moderated JTV) on the internet radio station he founded.

Keith added the 3 p.m. show on Sundays so TJ fans in Europe would have a convenient time to listen.

For this edition, Keith promises, “Some soul, some blues and a great duet from one of the TV shows featuring a great British performer.” Guess we’ll have to tune in to see who it is.

After more than a decade of absence from Florida, it’s been announced that Tom will be at Ruth Eckerd Hall in the Tampa Bay-Clearwater area of Florida (on the west coast) next April 4th and 5th and, that same month, at the Sinatra Theater in Sunrise (on the east coast, outside of Fort Lauderdale). On April 6, he’ll be in Melbourne, FL, at the King Center for the Performing Arts.

Tom Jones

Rated: TVPG Running Time: 60 Minutes Genre: Documentary Closed Captions: Yes

Saturday, July 01 @ 8am/7C

The A&E program note says: “One of the most popular vocalists to emerge from the British Invasion, Tom Jones has defined male rock star sexuality to the point of self-caricature. His rags to riches story began in the slums of Wales, took him to London and then all the way to sold-out Vegas concert stages. Along the way there have falls from grace, betrayals, incredible peaks of popularity and whole new generations of fans.”

This is show from December 2004. Not very good, but it’s always nice to see Sir Tom on TV in the US in something relatively new.

And, please note, the Martin Scorsese series, Red, White and Blues will be rerun on PBS in July. We’ll post a reminder.

New York is a wonderfully diverse city/state. If you’ve not been there, I highly recommend making the trip as soon as possible. Just recently NYC was voted (by what authority I’ve no idea) the friendliest city in the United States.

Could this be true? Doesn’t bode well for cities with more charming names like Paradise Valley, Warm Springs or Sleepy Hollow. To fully understand the New Yorker, one would probably have to be a New Yorker… or a New Jerseyite. The two “cultures” are inextricably intertwined, joined at the hip. There’s that word “hip” again. I guess I still have some residual TOP funk-shakin’-junk in my trunk! Speaking of hip shakin’, our man Tom Jones held a downtown Tuesday -go-to-meeting revival just across the water way from the Big Apple.

At the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood New Jersey last night. Mr. Jones performed his musical brand of Baptism By Fire. Congregations from differing burrows joined together to raise the roof in a sanctuary which could barely contain the masses, let alone the choir (i.e. the band). Barely past the first few hymns there were already obedient followers standing in the aisles wanting to approach (rush) the stage. They were gently kept at bay (for the most part) by a uniformed security grandpa, a hired elder, an insider in the Church of Jones. This action lessened their enthusiasm. NOT! The excited female flock remained in line as if waiting for a baptism, which had already begun.

Once again Tom Jones was very much on fire! They spoke using their tongues and offered their bodies as sacrificial vessels in a mass effort to reach the promised land.

Like a rose petal falling from the burning bush, it was a single red pair of lace panties landing near Sir Tom’s feet that caused the congregation to gasp and reel! The Baptism had begun! Holy water (perspiration) fell from the sleeves of the musical deity blessing those in the front row. These sacrificial beads mostly landed on stage and in the moat surrounding Mr. Jones. The moat was a rather formidable open orchestra pit. Surely it was the pit of hell for followers who pined to lay at the feet of and worship the musical messiah. Tuesday night services were in full swing. Panty offerings were hitting the stage from all areas. One VERY large bra was launched and landed at Tom’s feet. It had indeed reached the promised land! It was pure and white. It was a virgin bra, never worn with price tag still affixed.

Jones the Sovereign, retrieved the large lovely undergarment. He lifted it high into the air so that all could bare witness to this seductive symbol of sacrifice. Speaking of baring witness, one very exuberant faire maiden made her way up the aisle to the edge of the mote. She waited dutifully, then at the right moment (while Mr. Jones was looking her way) she lifted her top to reveal her natural, sun tanned beauties. They wriggled and jiggled to the pounding intoxicating rhythms. The Jones looked. He ackknowledged that it was good. Sometime these offerings must be made when “The Voice” is in command. When one is compelled, she must act.

Mr. Jones placed the giant mammary minder at the alter (OK on his water table). Exciting was this night! With maidens still in waiting, Mr. Jones ended his show, acknowledging his flock, his band, then he ascending to the nirvana that is his private luxury tour coach, his little slice of heaven on the highway. And just as he had come before, he will come again. Do you believe New Jersey? For it to be true you’ve got to. Say it with me: “I believe” (now you)… There, now let go, let Tom!

May I say that, although somewhat majestic and definitely aged, the Bergen Center was perhaps not the best choice of venues. The stage was much too small to properly display Mr. Jones’ mighty 11-piece ensemble. This mini-theater kept us from fully enjoying the band behind the man. Backup singer Anthony Reynolds and Trombonist Mike Turnbull, who are the bookends of the band if you will, were all but lost to the audience, except for those sitting directly in the middle pews.

However, Mr. Jones and the entire band came through loudly and clearly from the intimidating rows of speaker boxes cascading down either side of the stage. Tom Jones is clearly enjoying the second coming of his career, and boy is he able! His love for what he does translates to his audiences. That is why if you haven’t yet found Tom Jones, you should seek him. It is also why once you let him into your heart (and your iPod), he’ll always be there for you.

Keeping up with the Jones is a challenge and yet a labor of love that this writer enjoys. Just say a prayer and maybe, just maybe Tom Jones will be there. In the book of Jones, the 9th song of the set (maybe it’s the 10th or 12th song) he says: “What am I living for, if not for you.” Now go forth, up and down the eastern seaboard, and spread the word. He is here!

Scoop… out!

The Tom Jones tour has easily managed to further blur the lines of Mason and Dixon by planting the universal seeds of musical magic from south to north, east of the mighty Mississippi. The mostly sold-out shows continue to be successfully soulful in a way that takes the non-funky who, from birth, have always clapped on one and three, and turned them (albeit temporarily) into fleeting funkateers who can’t get enough of that funky stuff. After all, when the funk is good, you’ve got to let go and let it flow.

Tower has done a powerfully good job of starting the spark that lights the fire that has been heating up venues which, although very soggy on the outsides due to almost constant rain, have been plenty warm and smoldering on the insides. By the way, Mr. Jones agrees that shedding the jacket before show start is absolutely essential.

This writer likes the way Audrey in PA (post below) summed up how steamy equals sexy. “So the guy sweats. That’s no big news flash. To me it’s part of the Tom Jones experience, and always has been. He even commented that it works to his advantage because he said, ‘I can go to work, and lose weight at the same time.’ I am sure it is far more uncomfortable to have to work under those conditions, than it is to witness it. Wet, dry, or in between. Who cares, as long as he still performs?” And perform he does!

Tom Jones leaves it all out there on stage every single time. Those of you who are fortunate enough (like myself) to see him on the regular will testify to that. The power of the Jones cannot be denied. It must be experienced to be understood.

The boiling point during Saturday night’s show (at the very lovely Ferguson Center for the Arts on the campus of Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia) came at 9:40 PM when Tom’s rock-solid band energetically led him to sing the trademark musical question What’s New Pussycat? The rockets’ red glare, bombs bursting in air as, suddenly, the onslaught of panties from heaven came floating in. It was as if the parachutes of the 82nd Airborne had suddenly gone pastel! The already-elated audience went wild with applause and gleeful cheers. It was the magic moment for sure. It spiked a night already filled with electricity.

Tom was in a relaxed and playful mood. He seemed quite at home and enjoyed his command of the massive theater. Mr. Jones spent more time than usual relating with his audience through song and story, especially before ballads. He shared his thoughts easily. The musical texture and the flow of the show was refreshingly unique. This same was true — and even more so — during Sunday’s show in Baltimore.

The Baltimore show was not to be topped. The Sunday funky go-to-meetin’ crowd was primed for a good time. As has been the case during this tour, Tower of Power set the tone from beat one. But Baltimore already knew what was hip. Suddenly we were all “groovin’, on a Sunday afternoon!” Then Mr. Jones led his flock on a musical journey replete with a few untold stories. This night unfortunately marked the last date Tom and TOP would work together during this run. Not to worry though. They’ve toured together before (last year at this same time) and it was good. This time out it’s been phenomenal. As sure as God must be hip to clapping on the two and four, there will be a next time for this musically dynamic duo to team up. Kudos Tower of Power! Continue to go forth and funk up the world!

As the Sunday show concluded, it was rather shocking to see that just outside of the Lyric Opera House a torrent had been raging. We just danced a funky version of Singin’ In The Rain all the way back to the car, then popped in a TJ CD and got Reloaded!

It was interesting to note that even though the venue made it quite clear that photography of any kind was prohibited, you’d a thought that pretty much every seat in the house was occupied by descendants of digital camera dynasties. In attendance were the Nike-wearing Nikon family, who jogged into the joint and found their seats first. Then Kodak’s arrived from the north pole with their good friends the Polaroids. They were still wearing their fur coats. How silly of them! The Olympus and Fuji families came down from the mountains to be here. A charter plane from Japan arrived earlier in the afternoon carrying the Casio’s, Sanyo’s and the Samsung’s. The Konica’s (who may have caught Monica) were right there in the front row! The camera never lies! The Hewlett-Packards drove in from Detroit. The (Buddy) Epsons arrived from Beverly Hills. Great minds came from Minolta. Canons lined the street in front of the theater loudly proclaiming their arrival. The Panasonics and Pentax had a “P” party in the balcony parlor just before the show. And then there was the Sony family. They arrived in style and paid a little more for their seats just for the name. Hot flashes were going off everywhere!

I’m going to see if I can start a business partnership with Mr. Jones’ T-Shirt guy. I think selling batteries might be a moneymaker at these shows. Heck, we could even sell you some for your camera too!

Scoop… out!

Baltimore Maryland is a two-hour drive from home for us, and we have made this trip many times. My daughter’s highlight was always the National Aquarium but, for me, a trip to the Cheesecake Factory in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor has been a must. This weekend with Tom Jones performing I had a little beefcake along with my swiss almond cheesecake.

Ok, that’s as clever a writer as I get, I’m no “Scoop.” I will however try to supply you with the nuts and bolts of the show, because as a fan I know that is what I am most interested in anyway.

Tower of Power warmed up the crowd in their usual high energy style, and Baltimore responded as if it was the band alone they had come to see. How cute is Doc when he “breaks it down?” Those guys really have a great time performing and it shows.

When Mr. Tom Jones took the stage, I must say that it seemed he had a extra bounce in his step from the beginning, and a broad smile that made you wonder if he had an amusing secret. He was in an extraordinarily good mood for the entire show. This was apparent even during the usually serious ballads when he made them seem more on the upbeat side.

He gave me the feeling that the audience had not come to see him but, rather, that he had come to see us and was happier to be there then we were. Happy to be there I was for so many obvious reasons, but most of all because I have never attended a show where Tom was so spontaneous.

He laughed, told stories, and introduced an old friend in the audience — Baltimore’s own Ronnie Dove who toured with Tom in 1965 with Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars. He told stories of late-night poker games, and of a trip to his first pawn shop. Tom asked the shop owner to see a “flick knife,” which he explained is what they are called in Wales. He then explained, his friend Ronnie Dove had to pull him aside to tell him in America they are called switchblades.

There was a torrential thunder storm the entire three hours the of the show, but the evening was still very humid and the effects of this were, as always very obvious.

So the guy sweats. That’s no big news flash. To me it’s part of the Tom Jones experience, and always has been. He even commented that it works to his advantage because he said, “I can go to work, and lose weight at the same time.” I am sure it is far more uncomfortable to have to work under those conditions, then it is to witness it. Wet, dry, or in between. Who cares, as long as he still performs?

Close to the very end of the show, a women caught Tom’s attention with an album she wanted him to sign, and he was happy to do so. When she handed him the album, he discovered it was a double album that opened up to reveal a full length picture of himself in earlier days. He must have been proud of that picture, because he held it up for all to see and pointed to himself as if to say “Look how good I look on this one”. He even turned around to show the band. It was so great to see him having so much fun.

Before Tom left the stage, he lingered, and took bow after bow as if he really did not want to leave. I really think he could have done another hour or more.

As I walked out of the Lyric Opera House after the show, I shook my head, and silently thought to myself, “When God made Tom Jones, He was just showing off, on so many levels.”

—Audrey, PA

NOTE: We think this is the album cover Tom held up and, if it was, he’ll get no argument about how he looked from us. It’s from the 1979 disco album Rescue Me.

Actually, even if your Tom Jones fan life doesn’t span two centuries, you might enjoy this.

Since we launched tomjonesinternational.com we’ve tried to gather as much information about the people who have worked with Tom along the way and through the years. Key among these, of course, would be the various bands and back-up singers. But it hasn’t been easy because old tour programs and recordings didn’t always have the information. (Even sources like google don’t either.)

So, first, we were lucky enough to get information from Nathalie Lanoir, a TJ devotee in France. Then, Lois Gooding, a long-time fan in Rhode Island sent us some photos whose dates enabled us to add more information (and post more pictures). Now, slowly, we are getting more — and more accurate — information and photos (like this great picture of Brian Monroney and Tom, taken probably around the time Brian became Tom’s musical director in 1996) from several people and we are thrilled to provide information that is ever more accurate.

So, if you have some time, you might want to check out our posts on Back In the Day.

Of course, if you can send us more information and/or photos, they are welcome.

Well, Sir Tom placed at #22 with 1.88% of the vote. Still very respectable when one considers that every other contender was a building or a natural wonder or a landmark.

If you want to read the full story, you can go to ic wales.

The winner? The “Great Glasshouse” in the Botanic Garden of Wales, designed by Sir Norman Foster and opened six years ago in Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire. If you wish to visit, this is an especially good weekend to do so, as it is when the Garden of Wales Festival takes place.

At the risk of offending any Taffys in the crowd, while the Great Glasshouse is beautiful, we’ve got to say that our favorite Welsh Wonder is still Tom Jones.

As you may have noticed, we had server problems and, because of that, Inside Scoop’s post from Louisville, KY is late. We do apologize to Scoop and all those who so enjoy Scoop’s reviews — which are the best anywhere. If you don’t believe that, check out the dull, but still positive review from the Louisville Courier Journal.

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Ever stop during the course of your busy day to wonder what goes on in Louisville, Kentucky? Can you picture it on a map? Ever ordered up a shot of Kentucky Bourbon, or heard countless thousands of camera cowboys order one up just before their character is unceremoniously written out of a Saturday spaghetti western? Ever swing a Louisville Slugger? Ever visit Muhammad Ali’s hometown in the summertime? Then you, my friend, have been Kentucky fried!

It gets so hot and humid here sometimes that I don’t think the Colonel had to do much to start his business many years ago. He just released the chickens at noon, then waited a little while until they were done! The Kentucky sun and humidity did all the work! That’s exactly how I felt after a couple of hours of sauntering in the sweltering summer heat that is life in Louisville. Right about 4 PM I too was finger lickin’ good!

Kentucky is more a part of our national heritage than this writer might have realized until now. I must tell you that I’ve seldom been impressed initially with a city as much as I became smitten with the positive zest shown by the Kentuckian. Tower of Power and Mr. Tom Jones were treated to class of the first degree.

The venue, the Kentucky Center, is a facility built for show, and to soothe and comfort the well heeled. It sits directly across the street from the new Muhammad Ali Center, another class tribute to a class act. And both Centers are just a few blocks away from national headquarters of Louisville Slugger, the home of the baseball bat, where the company founder still appears a couple of times a week, rolls up his sleeves and hand rolls a few bats himself. Community involvement in art and culture is alive and very well in Louisville.

Long before Mr. Jones took the stage, Tuesday night was already succeeding. Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center rivals venues like The Morton Meyerson in Dallas. Picture it as a smaller, more contemporary Carnegie Hall starter-kit. The third balcony rises so high in the rear of the theater that it draws your eyes up where you suddenly realize the majesty and scope of the massive space within. The architecture is modern, flowing and slight. The main floor is massive and I bet it’s intimidating when your point of view is locking out from center stage. Not a problem for Mr. Jones.

It is quite remarkable how Tom Jones can face such overwhelming presence, then instantaneously usurp it with his own. That formula alone should be a hint to you that this was a night of a thousand stars. Amongst that number I include and applaud the audience. Was “Kentuckyville” prepared for the opening power of the Tower? I don’t think so. How would you expect that they responded? Kentuckian responded by getting it!

This was a seasoned event-going crowd that has apparently been to the Kentucky Center before, and on the regular is my guess. They quickly embraced and thoroughly enjoyed Tower of Power. They clapped long and meaningfully as if to say, “you have brought us a variation of music that is different and unique. We like it, please give us more.” They got it! Tower of Power responded by shifting into overdrive and letting Louisville have what they didn’t know they needed. Keep in mind that this love fest of funk was unfolding a full 40 minutes before Mr. Jones would take the stage. Can you say the night was already funktastic? I think you can. I think you should. I think you must! TOP ends their portion of the show by asking the trademark musical question, “What Is Hip?”!! This Kentucky audience let them know that they were! At the end of their show, Tower received a well deserved standing ovation from an appreciative, musically astute audience. Nice moment- very nice.

It may be somewhat interesting to note that once guests were seated on the main floor, there was no getting up, except during the intermission, because the seats are situated in a way that only allows access from the absolute ends of the rows. And the rows ran the entire width of the theater. The house was full, so bladders had to be empty. I guess that’s an unwritten rule that card carrying members apparently already know. Bad planning or good planning, it was working.

And then it was time for Mr. Jones and his band to take the stage. For a brief moment I wondered if Tom Jones could take an audience that was already functioning at a high musical level, and lift them even higher. He did and with aplomb!

Mr. Jones can sense the moment, process it instantly and capture it, like so many jacks being swooped up while the little red ball is still in the air, as he has a million times before. It’s nothing short of amazing to witness Tom Jones in the moment. Your eyes become fixed like tractor beams on what is unfolding before you, while in your mind his his songs take you instantly to that comfortable, familiar place. Like a bobsledder at the start of his run, musical olympian Tom Jones took Louisville for the ride of the evening.

Each shift of his hips represented a curve well negotiated, backed up by approving squeals. There was a knowing in the clapping that made this evening very classy. It was heavy and thick. It revealed and overwhelming joy and a high degree of understanding. Rarely has this writer seen a Tom Jones show where successful didn’t equal a thunderstorm of lingerie. This was that show. However, never underestimate the power of a well placed pair of flung panties, especially if you are the one throwing, and Tom is the one catching!

For those who made it to this show, it was one to remember. Tower of Power came onto the stage and blew the audience away with the power of their horns. Tom Jones took to the stage and blew the audience away with the power of one voice. Thank you sophistiKentuckian for stepping up to the plate and helping to make the show a grand slam success! Whiskey for everybody!

Oh… it might be a good idea for Mr. Jones to consider taking off the suit coat earlier in the show, or before the show starts. After all it is summertime and it’s hot just about everywhere. Multiply the heat times four powerful spot lights in your face every night and you begin to understand what the superstar must endure. By the time the jacket comes off (typically at the beginning of Leave Your Hat On) Mr. Jones is shvitzing like the drip system that keeps the vegetation watered in my yard. Although sweat can be quite sexy, too much is not so good. Of course we appreciate that Mr. Jones has a nightly output of 100%, but we don’t always want to see it to the detriment of seeing him. I think it’s OK to sacrifice the dramatic taking-off-the-jacket-moment in favor of cooler threads. Either that or order up a few designer gore-tex jackets and shirts so that the Jones stays cool and dry onstage. And let the fans find their own wonderfully creative ways to get whet!

Scoop… out!

The American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award presentation to Sean Connery was shown on the USA Network last night.

It was a terrific event filled with lots of laughter and heartfelt appreciation of the work of Sean Connery. Among those who spoke were Mike Myers, Harrison Ford, Michael Caine, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andy Garcia, Craig Ferguson….the list goes on and on. Of course, at the head of our list was Tom Jones (who sang, of course).

On the red carpet, Tom said of Connery, “”That’s why women love him, he’s a very natural man and I think that’s what comes across in everything he does.”

In these three photos, Tom is shown as Connery enters the room, Connery is reacting to Tom’s song and Mike Myers is, too. We’ve taken a dozen screen shots, like the thumbnails here, and posted them in our Screen Shots set.