Fan Fare, What's New, Pussycat?
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.
Tom To Be On PBS With Jerry Lee, But Not On Lewis’ New CD. Why?
Saturday, September 30th, 2006The PBS series Great Performances is going to do a program on Jerry Lee Lewis in December and Tom will be on it along with other greats, including Don Henley, Ron Wood, Nils Lofgren and Solomon Burke.
The show was taped September 28 and 29 in New York City.
They did duets of Green, Green Grass of Home, Jerry Lee’s End of the Road and, once again, as they did on This Is Tom Jones, sang Funny How Time Slips Away. From reports of people who were there, Tom was just thrilled to be doing this.
There’s a fan report on the tj.com forum and a comprehensive one on a Jerry Lee fansite.
PBS hasn’t announced air dates yet. We’ll let you know when they do.
The show was to celebrate Lewis’ 71st birthday and the release of a new album, Last Man Standing
Lewis’ new album has duets with Bruce, BB, Mick Jagger and Ron Wood, Jimmy Page, Neil Young, Robbie Robertson, John Fogerty, Ringo, Merle Haggard, Kid Rock, Rod Stewart, George Jones, Wilie Nelson, Toby Keith, Don Henley, Buddy Guy and Kris Kristofferson.
It’s a great recording. But you know our question: Where’s Tom? He’s got to be Lewis’ biggest fan and there’s no better voice around. He knows the material. He should have been there.
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:15 am
I just could not believe my eyes when I saw the tracklist with NO TOM JONES on it. Several other non-USA acts, but no Tom. I am sorry, but unless Tom specifically requested not to be included, I find his exclusion simply pitiful.
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:21 pm
Tom actually recorded some tracks for this CD, (this info from a fan of JLL and Tom). She indicated there wasn’t room on the 21 track CD for Tom. Now, how can that be!!!!!! What a disappointment!!! Certainly hope JLL is no longer carrying a grudge.
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:23 pm
I failed to mention, I would have bought the CD if Tom had been on it!!!!!
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:36 am
I agree with Marian - i would have bought the cd if Tom were on it but not now.
October 3rd, 2006 at 10:14 am
Tom is not selling records in the US, let’s face it. His last recording succes was in Europe (Reload and the singles from that album), so recording companies are reluctant to bring something out? What is your opinion?? Live performing is his main thing in the US. I think that the only way to get people to buy his records again is getting him on television so people can see he still is “a hell of a singer” (with some current material), his problem still is getting the right material to record.
October 3rd, 2006 at 12:48 pm
Dre, you are probably correct about the recording compamies but weren’t the Jools Holland collaboration and, to a lesser extent, Stoned In Love hits in Europe? As for Tom recording with Jerry Lee, we’re not too sure that happened, considering Ton’s throat problems over the last few months. But, whatever that story is, the fact remains that Dre has hit on the entire issue of promoting Tom here in the US. That he isn’t seen and heard more in North America is just, well, a big bowlful of wrong. What to do is the question. And, we fear, while we fans can provide answers, we cannot provide the means to put any good suggestions into concrete action.
October 3rd, 2006 at 1:43 pm
Stoned in Love was a #8 hit in the UK. The Tom & Jools CD got to #5 only in the UK. Neither one charted anywhere else, as far as I know. I’ve been a fan of Tom’s vocals since I was 12. I’ve never heard a better singer. Both my wife and I can hear (on Dancing With the Stars) that his voice is not what it used to be. Hopefully this is only temporary. I still have great respect for Tom. What he still can do as a singer is impossible for other singers today to compete with. But these lesser singers sell more records because of their youth and huge promotion, backup by the recording companies. Because of Reload’s success — and the success of those mentioned above — maybe they could focus on the UK and Europe more. There are a lot of musical programs on TV and he should be seen more. There’s so much he could do — like a live recording with guests or acoustic versions of well-known and new material.
October 3rd, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Here’s a wild idea, getting Tom in, for example, one of the “big brother” houses (UK/USA/Netherlands) for, let’s say, several hours. What would happen? Music, laughs, great stories and reactions of the people in the house and problably worldwide attention. (Maybe with an other female musical guest. Let’s say they are surpising the guests in the house by making breakfast for them and see what happens). Anybody else have some suggestions?, His management might read this. PS: I cannot afford to sponsor this idea as I would be broke instantly.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:28 pm
I think Tom’s son, Mark, should hook up with Tony Bennett’s son, Danny, to get the U.S. exposure where it should be. Danny was instrumental in getting Tony back into the fold years ago and Tony has a new CD being advertised on U.S. television. No reason why our Tom shouldn’t have the same publicity. Just an idea….
October 4th, 2006 at 5:14 am
I have seen Tom several times the past year. The shows in March at the MGM were the best I have ever seen and his voice was superb. His throat and respiratory system was affected thru illness and a very hectic schedule which he maintained for the most part because he didn’t want to disappoint his fans. To say his voice isn’t what it used to be is incorrect. Are we always at our best when ill??? Give him a break. He is the BEST
October 4th, 2006 at 7:00 am
I have to agree with Beverly. I was lucky enough to see Tom in March as well and he was the best he’s ever been. I am so looking forward to seeing him in Atlantic City this November. What a wonderful Thanksgiving it’s going to be.
October 4th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Ladies, I didn’t wanna upset anybody. He is still a one-of-a-kind performer/entertainer and I know when you are ill everything is far more difficult. (This is true, even without mentioning the number of live performances). Must be great to have fans that defend you like this.
October 4th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
You know, in our opinion, you are all right. We absolutely don’t believe Dre was in no way attacking Tom. His voice, as we think is natural, has changed over the years and today it is fuller, has more depth, than ever. This enables him to do material that is so much richer and full of meaning than he could do a few decades ago. And, yes, he is the best. But is change necessarily a negative? Yes, he was amazing in March at MGM. Since then, he’s been ill and not always at his best. But, Beverly, you’re right. He does keep that amazing, taxing schedule because he loves to sing and knows his fans want to see him. On Dancing With the Stars, although it was terrific seeing Tom, as some of you have pointed out, his voice was a tad out of shape. And on the AFI Tribute to Sean Connery the same was true. What’s great about Tom is that he is constantly evolving, trying new things to stay with all the trends and to accommodate his voice. And, because he values it so much, he’s worked to keep that voice. Others have seemingly squandered their gift. (And we won’t name names.) Tom hasn’t and we’re grateful.
And we want to say, too, that we think Tom Jones is really one lucky man to have fans who devote so much thought and passion to him.
October 5th, 2006 at 5:16 am
There is another area where Tom and management are missing the boat, DVD’s. I still can not get my hands on the Live from Cardiff DVD. I have bought on eBay, amazon, and several other websites and had to return all because they were the wrong region, even though they were stated to be region 1. They should also be for sale at his shows. People in the US need access to these videos to see the current Tom Jones.
October 5th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
You are right, Val. Hopefully there’ll be some new merch/CDs/DVDs available starting with his UK tour next week and, hopefully too, it will be available here.
October 6th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
We have often complained about the lack of merchandise at Tom’s concerts. I would think his DVDs and CDs would be floating off the shelves if they would have them available.
October 9th, 2006 at 4:02 am
I agree with Marian, especially the CD with jools holland. This may be Tom’s best work. I don’t understand why it isn’t promoted in the States more. People do not know what they’re missing.