Tom Jones International

First, check out Herman Matthews’ journal. This talented musician writes about the Hampton Court concerts and, best of all, has posted an amazing photo he took in Moscow last week when Tom and the gang went there for a private gig. If you haven’t signed up for Herman’s mailing list, you should. And if Herman’s site isn’t a regular stop on your internet travels, it should be.

UK fan Paula Aston went to two of the three Hampton Court concerts. (We were hoping our Inside Scoop could go but, unfortunately, after spending all that time with Tom in South America, Scoop’s finances were depleted.) Paula missed the one that got rained upon but she has sent us lovely reviews of the other two concerts — admiring and really honest as only a truly thoughtful fan can be. The review of the first show follows the review of the second one below. The first show was a benefit for the Prince’s Trust charity. In the front row Paula wasn’t allowed to take photos, but she did send this shot of the setting in Hampton Court. It’s the 16th century palace that Cardinal Woolsey built and then then generously gave to King Henry VIII before the king ordered him decapitated. We thank Paula for her review and look forward to the next one.

Wednesday was another fine evening weather-wise so we escaped the drenching that Tuesday night’s crowd had to endure. The audience was if anything, even more wildly enthusiastic than on Monday – everyone was certainly on their feet a lot sooner. As is inevitably the case there were many people on corporate junkets who may have spent just the tiniest bit too long in the hospitality tent if you get my drift………

The fans were also out in force though and I waited for Tom to appear in my usual heart-thumping state, seated front and centre. And then he did and my, did he look divine: this time he was wearing the blue-grey striped suit with the black lapels. The underwear thing started almost immediately but he completely ignored all of it and good for him. I know it’s just a bit of fun that he takes in good part but I hate it, always have, and feel it devalues his remarkable talent. It wasn’t long at all before some women rushed to the front proffering their frillies and to my surprise (and annoyance) security just let them.

The show followed its familiar pattern and I was struck as always by the obvious joy Tom gets from what he does: he was born to sing and entertain, just lives for it. For Tom, singing seems to come as naturally as breathing in and out – he makes it seem so effortless. How can he continue to inject new life into songs like Delilah when he has been singing them for what, to him, must seem like forever? I have no idea – but he does and it’s amazing.

He gave a breathtaking performance of Here’s That Rainy Day: wonderful phrasing and beautiful interpretation and control. Sheer class. Not to mention Pete’s spine-tingling trumpet solo. The Reason moves me to tears. Grandmas’s Hands and Git Me Some are so fabulous and he clearly loves singing them. Darelle, Sharon and Tony also do an excellent job: the opening bars of Grandma’s Hands are just brilliant. Tom was simply stunning all night. It begins to sound like a cliché but it’s true. The audience lapped it up and he just delivered as he always does. In all the shows I have been to over the years I have never known him give less than 100 percent. By the end, if there had been a roof he would have lifted it – he was just ripping it up and the audience roared their approval. His energy is astonishing and irresistible. I Like The Way You Move, Tom!

Another marvellous performance from undoubtedly the finest popular singer the UK has ever produced in a truly special and lovely setting. I will never forget Hampton court 2007 – it was a privilege to be there.

And actually I think old Henry would have approved after all.

Hampton Court is a vast and magnificent palace with acres of glorious grounds in the middle of stockbroker-belt Surrey to the South West of London. Its early origins are 11th Century but it was transformed into a Tudor Palace by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, further extended by Henry VIII and then given its present day Baroque elegance by William and Mary. Obviously it is steeped in history: Charles I was imprisoned here and Catherine Howard was accused of adultery and held captive within its walls; in fact all of Henry’s six wives lived at Hampton Court at some point and you walk in their footsteps.

In this majestic setting our own 21st century troubadour, Sir Tom Jones OBE, held court in regal style last night. The concerts take place in Base Court, a beautiful courtyard just beyond the main Tudor entrance. For an outdoor venue it is surprisingly (and pleasantly) intimate with a wonderful ambience and the audience, most of which had previously been picnicking in the gardens on a glorious summer evening, was in a responsive and ebullient mood. Tom responded in kind as only he can: he looked fit, tanned, groomed and gorgeous (when is he not?!) in the purple suit and black shirt ensemble and he was in fine, fine voice.

The set list is the same as he has been doing in Las Vegas this season (i.e. a shortened version of the one he first performed on the UK tour last October) so it doesn’t need to be repeated here. This might have been slightly disappointing for some of the UK fans who could have been anticipating a rerun of the tour but it didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm and I suspect many didn’t even notice.

There was no introductory video — just some audio — and after Tony did his usual introduction Tom appeared to wild applause and I nearly fainted when I realised how near to him I really was. I haven’t been so up close and personal for a very long time and it was a treat beyond words for this lifelong fan.

He lit up the stage — he always does. I run out of superlatives to describe this man: the charisma, the polish, the showmanship, the talent, the voice with its perfect pitch and wonderful quality of tone, the impeccable diction, the perfect breath control. I will hold my hand up and say that you won’t get an objective critique from me: I adore Tom, always have and always will so I remain stubbornly effusive in my praise. To me he is a master of his craft and a sublime performer to whom I have always considered it a privilege to listen – he takes me to another place really, it’s wonderful.

Highlights? Well, how long have you got?! The Reason, of course, is marvellous; Grandma’s Hands – boy can he sing the blues; Git Me Some – a properly naughty song performed with such tongue-in-cheek aplomb it could have been written for him: fabulous. The standards were all received with wild enthusiasm: I know the jury’s out on this and not everyone thinks he should be doing them but he does sing them superbly. I’ll Never Fall In Love Again is a long-time personal favourite: that catch in his voice…….I’m done for. The undies started to rain down thick and fast during What’s New Pussycat – in fact we had a sort of stage ‘run past and toss’ thing going on, including a pair from a man: this drew a startled look from Tom and caused him briefly to stop singing! We were all on out feet by then and after Tom had a word Security gave up trying to stop us. His energy was unflagging and infectious; the entire audience was having a ball along with him. Sex Bomb: never been keen myself but I accept that it’s a splendid crowd-pleaser so I guess I’ll just shut up on that one.

After It’s Not Unusual (everyone singing, as in Delilah) Tom left the stage and reappeared in an identical sweat-free black shirt. It was at this point, as night fell, that a couple of silvery moths settled themselves in his hair — very fetching. After he’d been leaping about a bit during I Like The Way they thought better of it and flew away. And then it was Kiss. And then he was gone. At the end someone gave him a baseball cap with what looked like ‘Sir TJ’ on it but I couldn’t see clearly so I may be wrong.

I have to mention the band and singers of course – they are so terrific, such great musicians who complement Tom superbly. I love the way he introduces them all now. Actually he admitted to forgetting the brass section and called them back especially to do it!

If I must be picky (What! A criticism? Surely not!!) I think Resurrection Shuffle should be replaced with a more bluesy feel rock song and I would like to see a big torchy ballad — let’s face it nobody can do ballads like Tom – because unless you count I’ll Never Fall….. there isn’t one really.

So there we are. Tom wove his magic once more in a truly lovely and unforgettable setting. As I trekked back to my car (parked in a field the size of Cardiff) I heard nothing but complements from people, many of whom had never seen him before. This just added to my happiness glow which was already on the fairly rosy side……

I can’t imagine what Henry VIII would have made of it all though.

(Next installment after Wednesday’s performance!)