Tom Jones International

March 16: And, again, we added five more photos to Fans’ Favorite Photos…..just wasn’t worth an entire, separate post, y’know?

---

Here are five additions to our Fans’ Favorite Photos set.

One of the photos is a candid from 2004 showing a relaxed, casual TJ backstage after a show. Two are tourbook portraits from 1980. One is a great shot of Tom in a pool and the other is that infamous lobby card used in the MGM (and, as we recall, other venues). People have written privately and posted to all about this photo, expressing their hope that this portrait from the turn of the century will be replaced. We had a photo of it and thought it should be posted for everyone to see.

What do you think?

And, so you don’t think we’re photo-obsessed, here’s a news brief from Contact Music (not always a good source) telling us that:

JONES LOSES NICKNAME TO OPERA STAR WATSON

TOM JONES has slammed British opera star RUSSELL WATSON for stealing his nickname. Veteran singer Jones, 66, has been called ‘The Voice’ since the 1960s, but Watson has register the musical moniker as a trademark. MARK WOODWARD, Jones’ son and manager branded Watson’s name-pilfering as “presumptuous”. A spokesman for Watson says, “He’s always been called The Voice.”

Our Comment: So was Frank Sinatra but, we believe, Sir Tom has been called “Jones the Voice” (a customary way of identifying people in his native Wales) since he started. If he’d been a plumber, he’d likely be called “Jones the Plumber.” It’s the way it is and copyrighting the appellation doesn’t change it. And the fact that both Sinatra and TJ managed to peacefully co-exist using “The Voice” as a nickname shows class not evident in Mr. Watson.

Certainly, Watson can think of a better nickname (and a better publicity stunt which this undoubtedly is). And he can copyright all he wants but, even if the matter were taken to court and he were to win, he’ll never be “The Voice.” Don’t know the legal ramifications of his trademark but we do know that in law the phrase “usual and customary” has clout and, certainly, were Tom’s people to challenge Watson, “usual and customary” usage would come into play.A nd, if he’s “always” been called “The Voice,” why the trademark? Isn’t he secure about it? Again, we believe it’s just a pubicity stunt and is pathetic.

!Viva Jones the Voice!

Four additions to our Fans’ Favorite Photos set. Please check them out and, please, send your favorites in.

We’ve been busy and Tom’s closing tonight, but it’s never too late for a review, so here goes. And be sure to check in the comments section of this post to see reviews from other fans.

Of course, our reviews of Sir Tom tend to be a bit repititious: awesome great voice, great band and back-up, lots of fun had by all.

Sure, we’d change the setlist a bit, but we’re not the deciders about this stuff and, while we’d prefer other material, this guy can sing the phone book.

Things we really like: When Tom is revving up in preparation for dancing. It’s just (forgive us) cute, like a little kid getting ready to run. We really have to give props to drummer Herman Matthews and keyboard player Frank Strauss, as well as MD Brian Monroney. Frank and Herman are onstage just about all the time and clearly work hard at what they do and, also clearly, love doing it. Here in Las Vegas — with a resident wealth of talent — it is a rarity to hear a bad musical performance. And this band stacks up with the best of them. They all are such a pleasure, as are Tony, Sharon and Darelle, Tom’s backup singers. When they sing the first chords of Grandma’s Hands it is sheer musical magic.

The audiences at the shows this month have been a varied lot. As usual there are fans from around the country, the continent, the world. We got to meet some terrific posters to this site (and want you all to know you are real quality people). We met a couple from Cardiff who insist that Green Green Grass of Home was actually written about Wales. There were a couple of TJ virgins who we know will be returning to see him. The only thing every audience had in common was — raucous or refined — the great time they had. They left smiling. We’d bet that, like us, they’re looking forward to the next time they see Tom.

Ellen & Ursula

There are seven new photos in our Fans’ Favorite Photos set.

We love the carictature and the black and white stage shot is classic Tom Jones. It was used as one of the cover photos on Tom Jones: Tribute to A Legend, the 40th anniversary book presented to him by his fans from jonesthevoice.com.

And, finally, tomorrow we will review the shows at MGM this time.

We’ve added six photos to our Fans’ Favorite Photos set.

These are interesting because, with the exception of the one from 1994, these are all about 30 years old. And all but one are black and white.

Check them out and please let us know what you think.

Six more photos have been posted in Fans’ Favorite Photos. Thanks again for sending them.

---

The Souix City (Iowa) Journal looks back to significant dates in local history and, there among the stories culled from 125 years of stuff in the newspaper morgue is the story below that takes us back 25 years:

‘TICKET SALES BOOM: Municipal Auditorium officials were hoping the March 31 Tom Jones concert would be well received but they had no idea the response would overwhelm their “unrefined” ticket sales system. Tickets for the popular singer’s concert went on sale at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Cries of “unfair sales” and “corruption” began immediately and continued through the day. During one hourlong session in auditorium business manager Rex Post’s office Wednesday afternoon more than a dozen irate callers blasted the system and the officials. Buyers were mad that it was not known that premium tickets could be purchased at outlet locations, such as Uncle John Records, Younkers stores and both Pflanz Electronics stores.”

OK, we uploaded four more photos — sorry it’s so few, but it’s been a busy day — to the Fans’ Favorite Photos page. Note the last two in the set (one that’s been up; the other just added) seem to be companions. Just wonder which came first.

AND, for UK fans there was an announcement from the Hampton Court Palace Festival 2007 that Sir Tom will be playing there Tuesday, June 19 and Wednesday, June 20 at 9 p.m. both evenings. Among other performers at the Festival on other days will be Jools Holland, Van Morrison, Josh Groban and the Buena Vista Social Club.

Of course, before you make any plans involving this gig, check with Tom’s official site.

[For those who care, Hampton Court Palace was built by Cardinal Thomas Woolsey, Archbishop of York, in 1514. In 1525, Woolsey completed apartments at the palace for King Henry VIII. Three years later, he was forced to surrender ownership to the king. From the beginning, Hampton Court Palace played an important role in British court life, politics and history. Queen Victoria opened the palace to the public in 1838......and, now, Sir Tom Jones will be in residence there.]

Got some really good photos. Chris sent some terrific performance shots from Tom in Tulsa (one thumbnail here) which have been added to the renamed “The Many Faces of Tom Jones Performing Over the Years.”

There are, of course, three more favorites in the Fans’ Favorite Photos page.

Please check them out and let us know your favorites and tell us if you like this feature.

Four more photos have been posted in the Fans’ Favorite Photos set and two [thumbnails here] from Wednesday, March 7, at the MGM Grand in the Tom Then & Now set. Interesting to compare the late 70s bow to the audience with the one today.

Thanks to the fan who sent these.

Check out the six latest additions and send in your own. We’ll try to keep posting photos there throughout March.