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.
Playing Catch-up: We’re Posting This Article From October 13
Thursday, October 26th, 2006This is, obviously, an article from October 13, the day Tom opened at the Manchester Evening News (MEN) Arena. Never mind such shopworn phrases as “hariy-chested lothario,” “Welsh crooner” and the reporter’s insistence at the end that “it’ll be the old favourites that bring down the house.”
What strikes us so strongly is how sad the last three paragraphs are. When someone is so enormously talented, such words shouldn’t be necessary. As Laura pointed out in a comment on another post, performers like Tony Bennett and Barry Manilow are finding big audiences and recording deals. And, it’s not because they’re Americans. That argument is answered with just one look at Rod Stewart (if you must). There’s something wrong somewhere, we think. We are grateful to Shirley for sending this to us. And we apologize for the folds in the photo. We tried to iron them, but they’d been there too long.
Sir Tom’s not finished yet
Manchester Evening News Citylife/October 13, 2006/by Sarah Walters
HARD as it may be to imagine, there was a time when the hairy-chested lothario that is Sir Tom Jones needed Jimmy Saville’s help to make his dreams come true.
Jim fixed it for Tom to record his first demo disc back in 1964, which the young Welsh crooner then took to Decca Records and used to secure himself a recording deal.
Looking back on his 42-year long music career, Tom says he has fond memories of his early years spent singing in working men’s clubs in Pontypridd before that infamous demo changed life forever.
“When I was a child singing at parties, people always told me that I had something different,” he remembers, “so I believed as a child that I was going to become a star! Then, as time goes on, you realise it’s not going to be as easy as you thought.
“But I always had the confidence, and when you get up in front of people, they give you the confidence. When I was singing in the working men’s clubs, you had to be strong in order to get across. I was always getting the thumbs up.”
It’s fair to say, too, that there’s been a few thumbs down during Tom’s career — that dry spell in the early 1980s was a bit of a career cliffhanger.
And yes like Elvis, who Tom admits was his role model and mentor for many years, Tom has endured through decades of changing fads and fashions, even successfully relaunching himself as the Sex Bomb in the 1990s on the back of a revival of 1960s kitsch.
Down the years, he’s sung with The King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Little Richard and his singles have features guest appearances from everybody who’s anybody — from Van Morrison to Tori Amos and Chicane.
Keeping the knicker-twirling mums happy is one things, though; getting the industry onside is quite another. Finding a record company aligned with Tom’s position as a stalwart of the British music scene is a trickier task, although Tom is confident his 40th album will be on the shelves by next year.
“We’re in negotiations now, we’re getting very close to signing. But it’s getting people from a record company interested enough to really want to go forward with something new, something that is powerful, not just a commercial product.
“It has to be somebody who has faith in me as a singer.”
There’s plenty more to come from Tom, then — but it’ll be the old favourites that bring down the house at the Arena tonight.
October 27th, 2006 at 8:56 am
I actually like Rod Stewart ; )) When Warner didn’t sign him he just went out and recorded what he wanted and paid for it himself. The American Songbook Volumes have done phenomenally! He just released an album covering classical rock songs and hit #1 on the US charts. Not bad for an “old” guy with apparently no audience left that’s interested… (eyes rolling…)
If there’s anybody who can do it, that’s Tom Jones. He’s got what it takes, and more. I think TJ should take a risk, he’s never been in a better position to go for it! Now, convincing his “management” of this is a whole different story.
I’d buy it, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
October 27th, 2006 at 8:58 am
“It has to be somebody who has faith in me as a singer.”
Mark, perhaps?
October 27th, 2006 at 9:28 am
I think the reason Barry Manilow, Tony Bennett and Rod Stewart all have albums on the charts is because they’re all collections of songs already known and loved. Tom is always looking for new material so I’m sure it’s much harder for him to get a record deal due to the ‘unknown’ factor. Personally, I’d buy an album of Sir Tom singing the alphabet.
October 27th, 2006 at 9:40 am
There’s nothing wrong with singing standards like Rod, Tony & Barry do. Tom is doing some in his show — Fly Me To the Moon, Old Black Magic — so we know he does them and puts his own unique stamp on them. So, respectfully, we beg to differ.The material is not the issue.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
Well, I think I’m speaking on behalf of all the fans all over the world. “We have faith in you, doesn’t that count?” Just get your “a@#” into the recordingstudio and record great songs like The Reason, I Like the Way You Move (which I’ve just heard on youtube.com) or, even better, record them live with your own band. It’s a great band so… Here are some ideas: get ACDC to do an aproved Long Way to the Top. Get some top female guests to do a duet (Mariah, Whitney or some young new talent), and put out a few new songs. Not that hard, is it? If you want any suggestions just give us a call.
October 28th, 2006 at 7:55 am
It never fails to amaze me that Sir Tom Jones has to almost go begging to get a record released…“it’s getting people from a record company interested enough to really want to go forward with something new, something that is powerful, not just a commercial product.”
Don’t record executives listen to fans and watch record sales? Although anything that Tom Jones releases may not be deemed as a commercial product - which is what most studios look for - it would be a commercial success!!
When will they look at his longevity, sold-out concerts, and huge following (which continues to grow with new and younger fans all the time) and get the hint??? Geez! It ain’t rocket science, ya know???
Ah, but then again, could it be that Sir Tom’s management just isn’t marketing and promoting him correctly?
One thing for sure, it’s not Tom who doesn’t want to record and release new material. Now, if we could just figure out how to get his voice and our voices heard!!!
October 29th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
I agree with the idea that Tom’s management may not be promoting/marketing him correctly. All they’d have to do is have the record execs read this website and all the comments posted for a couple days and they’d realize what a successful record release they could have. Or how about inviting them to a show?? Also, has anyone heard about the picture of Tom at the venues in Europe? Is it that old one they’ve been using or have they joined us in this century and put up one of Tom’s many gorgeous pictures taken from the past several years??
October 30th, 2006 at 10:53 am
I recently read a google alert that Engelbert has a 77th album and Tom’s next will be 40. I like Rod Stewart but he does not have a good voice. Yet, he keeps recording. HELLO…whats wrong with this picture? As good as Mark may be, I think having Tom’s management living out of the USA does not help. Tom is THE VOICE and it is commercial! He sells out every time. It’s a crying shame he is not recording more.
October 30th, 2006 at 11:45 am
I agree with Susanne. Also, I saw Barry Manilow on Good Morning America with his “fanilows” behind him on the set. I know Diane Sawyer is a huge Tom Jones fan. It would be a perfect place for Tom to promote a new CD — anything to get him back on American TV etc.
October 31st, 2006 at 9:58 am
Beverly…Rachael Rae is also a big fan and she now has a talk show. I’ve emailed her and asked when she was going to have Sir Tom on…no reply yet.
October 31st, 2006 at 11:34 am
Susanne: Good idea. Maybe we should all do that.