Tom Jones International

Wednesday evening, June 11: One more blog report from Canada that’s kind of nice. And it links to Tom’s fabu version of The Reason. Check it out.

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Wednesday, June 11: Another review, this one from the Winnipeg Sun is more of the same. This time, Sir Tom is called an ” old crooner.” At the end of his piece, the reviewer allows, “We’re still not sure about the underwear, ladies, but we’re starting to understand what you see in this guy,” but it’s more of the same as below. Getting tiresome.

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OK. We get it. Not everyone is a Tom Jones fan. But, sometimes, the things they write are so — well — stupid. Now, Ellen will tell you from her own experience that it’s easier to write a negative, sarcastic review than a positive one. And we certainly don’t expect every reviewer to love the show. But, despite all experience to the contrary, we’re always surprised when a reviewer — allegedly a person who knows music — doesn’t get it at all. By the third sentence (”Tom Jones inner real-life monologue”) she’d lost us. Add to that the description of the audience and the panty count and saying his career is built on “nary more than a waggle of his hips,” along with a description of the show as “easy-going traditionalist.” Well, there’s nothing else to say, is there?

(Except — those of you who would criticize us for getting annoyed about this stuff — please bear in mind that we review shows and we never stoop to this level. Again, honest criticism is fair and often warranted. But this is dishonest. And, worst of all, it’s not even funny. And do not doubt for a minute that she was going for funny.)

The only question we have is: should we continue to post this such reviews? We probably will, because they’re out there and from legitimate sources. But, we’d like your opinion. Please advise. Thanks. (To make up for this miserable review, we’re posting two photos by Mike Wachniak that really have nothing to do with this post. Except they are from Canada. They were taken at the June 2 fundraiser Tom did in Vancouver. At the left is a videographer named Will, Sir Tom and Mike, the photographer. At right is Sir Tom and Jacqui Cohen, the event’s host. Love Tom’s diamond-studded tie, don’t you?)

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REVIEW: The ultimate ladies’ man

By: Melissa Martin/Updated: June 10 at 09:47 PM CDT/Winnipeg Free Press

There was a Saturday Night Live skit a few years back, where Tim Meadows played a silk-robed Lothario who sipped Courvoisier and took viewer calls on his public television show. Every time a woman called in, Meadows’ character would cock his eyebrow wickedly. “Ooooooh, it’s a lady,” he’d coo.

This, I’m pretty certain, is Tom Jones’ real life inner monologue.

For over 40 years, the Welsh singer has famously winked his way across the world, charming his mostly female audiences with nary more than a waggle of his hips and a catalogue of frankly sexual songs.
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When Tony introduces “The one….the only…SIR TOM JONES!!!” at 7:30 tonight in Winnipeg, it will be the last show in a tour that saw him in Portland, OR, Seattle and the all over the western third of Canada.

From all reports, the tour was highly successful — full houses, enthusiastic crowds. Here’s a review from Star Phoenix in Saskatoon, Sasketchewan (we just like writing that). Titled “Jones Still The Voice,” It’s a positive review, although she didn’t like the encore (we tend to think she didn’t get it) and every ounce of praise was tempered with criticism. But, it’s still a review and still recognition of the power of Sir Tom Jones.

He’s been in a part of the world he doesn’t visit too often so we’re sure the fans were ecstatic he was there.

As we know, June 7 was a great day for music. Here’s a belated birthday wish for Tom and two other greats born June 7. It has a photo we love and, for the record, The Reason as shown here was performed in Chile. Enjoy.

In the 16 days between tonight’s show and his opening in Biloxi, TJI.com is hoping to keep you amused with some stuff from the past you might not have seen before and, too, at least one return visit to a favorite Tom Jones moment. Stay tuned.

Photo: Richard Marjan/The Star Phoenix

This is a real rave review and, while heaping praise, the reviewer managed an appropriate distance. Thus, while saying Tom “breathed life” into the standards, he also called them what they are — “hoary old lounge tunes.” We love what he said about He Stopped Loving Her Today and his observation that during Kiss, “Jones lifted his shirt to show a tanned six-pack any young man would be proud of.” His tour info isn’t exactly correct, but his assessment of the performer and his “career that shows no signs of flagging” is right on target.

Sir Tom left ‘em panting

Andy Cooper/The Leader-Post/Published: Monday, June 09, 2008/Tom Jones Conexus Arts Centre

Tom Jones thankfully ignored Frank Sinatra’s advice 40 years ago to ease off on his booming, emotive style of singing, lest he wear out his distinctive pipes early.

Jones politely told Ol’ Blue Eyes he simply couldn’t sing any other way and his instinct has served him well over a career that shows no signs of flagging.
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Sgt. Deborah Galen is on active duty in Afghanistan. We met her via this website (as we’ve met so many terrific people) when she responded to a May 9 editorial we wrote about ticket prices and the state of entertainment here in Las Vegas these days.

As we do every time we receive a post from someone new, we wrote to Deborah and that began a dialogue. Of course, part of it was about her life in Baghram, Afghanistan. She works in personnel and has introduced a lot of the people she works with to the music of Tom Jones. As she wrote, in a birthday wish for Tom: “To Tom Jones: Thank you for your incredible musical contributions. For your wonderful voice which lulls me to sleep on a sleepless night and has given me peace on even the toughest days I have had to face on this deployment. A happy birthday to you, Tom Jones. I hope you spend it doing exactly what you enjoy.”

Deborah, a Selena impersonator, whose hometown is now Las Vegas, also writes: “It is an honor to do what I do for my country. I feel I can’t do enough. On my off-duty hours I am very involved with folks back home to encourage them to send donated clothing for infants and orphans in the surrounding areas. It would be very difficult to be here and not get involved. So this has been one of the most rewarding times of my life.”

Through Operation Care, the local organization that service members put together, toys, clothes and other items are distributed to children in Afghanistan. She says that things for girls, especially, are needed. And, of course, people can send gently used clothing. Also needed are school supplies and, if you wish, personal articles for soldiers.

But, to honor Tom on his birthday, we are asking you to send some clothing and/or toys to Deborah for the children. Let her know your donation is to commemorate Sir Tom’s birthday, too.

Deborah promises to acknowledge every package with a personal letter, email (if you include your address) and, perhaps, some photos.

Sgt. Deborah P. Galen
382nd MP Detachment Law & Order
Bagram APO AE09354
deborah.p.galan@afghan.swa.army.mil

We’re told that, because you will be mailing to a military post, the cost to send the package to Deborah in Afghanistan via US mail is the same as it would be if you were mailing a package to a destination in the US.

Deborah will be back in the US in August and will then be going to Iraq. We might not like this war, but we love our soldiers. Let’s show this one, and the other caring people with whom she works, that we do.

Thanks in advance to all of you who respond.

And, happy birthday, Sir Tom. Long may you thrive!

Ellen & Ursula

The photos at left were sent to us by Deborah. On the top is — obviously — her picture; next is the Operation Care group; the third photo is of the group loading toys for delivery and, the bottom photo is of Deborah with a girl named Hamida and her mother in the hospital intensive care unit (ICU).
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For Tom’s birthday, tomorrow, we’re going to post a very special charity appeal from a special fan of his with whom we’ve been corresponding for several weeks. Of course, we hope you’ll be moved to help that cause and, to show you that we are following in Tom’s spirit, here’s a story about his charity work.

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Each year for the last few years, Tom has traveled to Vancouver to perform at a charity gig — Jacqui Cohen’s Face The World Foundation Annual Gala. The 18th annual event was held June 2 between gigs in other Canadian cities. The photo is of Tom with Ms. Cohen. And, we apologize for this awful photo. That’s what was in the newspaper. Be sure to look for the typo (typographical error) in the story. Or, was it a typo? Freudian slip, perhaps? If you find it, please don’t post it. Let others discover it for themselves. Thanks.

It’s not unusual
Social Eyes by Catherine Barr/Metro News Canada/June 05, 2008 02:12

It was time for Tom and Dom at socialite Jacqui Cohen’s 18th Annual Face The World Foundation Annual Gala.

The Army and Navy [store] heiress looked positively festive in a gorgeous ruffled orange gown as she escorted none other than Sir Tom Jones down the driveway and into her lavish Point Grey home. The 60s-something sex symbol, who is both a friend and Honorary Patron to the foundation, was dressed in a stunning black ensemble complete with a diamond studded silk tie.

The well-heeled and breast-dressed crowd sipped Dom Perignon champagne and mingled during the reception before heading in to dine on fabulous five-star service and food from David Aisenstat’s The Shore Club. Media personality Vicki Gabereau and musician Jim Byrnes served as the evening’s MCs. Later, Sir Tom took to the stage in person to entertain.

I’m not telling if any panties were thrown — but let’s just say — it’s not unusual.

We want to thank the winning bidder and all who bid on the signed Tom Jones memorabilia auction on eBay.

Winning bidder, who wishes to remain anonymous, topped a highly competitive field with 31 seconds to go in the auction.

We’re sure the people involved in the Sean Putman Scholarship Fund will be pleased and, from now on, when you hear Tom sing Green Green Grass of Home, please remember the contribution songwriter Curly Putman made to his career. This was the least Tom Jones fans could do to thank him.

We spoke to Troy Putman to tell him about the auction and he was thrilled. He wrote: ” On behalf of Beth and me, and the Trustees of the Sean Putman Memorial Fund at Cumberland University, thanks so much for your help and thanks especially to all those wonderful fans of Sir Tom who bid on the items in support of the fund which honors the memory of our precious Sean. I know that the Green, Green Grass of Home has touched so many lives around the world. The collaboration of a classic voice (Tom Jones) and a classic song writer (Curly Putman) will stand the test of time! God’s love and blessings to all!”

Thanks! Tom Jones fans are the best!

We’re not sure how much of the crowd at this show was “older,” but they seemed from this report to have a great time. And the reviewer said something we’ve always thought about Tom — since just about every song tells a story, he’s a hell of an actor, along with being a hell of a singer. Or, as she rightly says (comparing him to — of all people — William Shatner)), he is “an emotive actor who can sing.”

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Tom Jones can still deliver a sexy show

By Lana Michelin/Red Deer Advocate/June 04, 2008

Sex-bomb Tom shared his hits — and his pheromones — with 2,000 screaming fans at Red Deer’s Centrium on Wednesday, proving that age is just a state of mind.

At nearly 68 (his birthday is on Saturday), Tom Jones gyrated across the stage like a young hipster singing “Just help yourself to my lips, to my arms, just say the word and they’re yours…”

He slid his hands down his still-svelte torso stopping south of his belt-line, and his largely female audience members shrieked their approval.

A few excited fans even twirled panties in the air as a prelude of what was to come.

But Jones knew from the moment he pronounced “Red Deer” in his cute Welsh accent, that he had the older crowd in his very experienced hands.

Before fully uncorking his Las Vegas-style sex-appeal, Jones ripped into songs such as He Stopped Loving Her Today, showing he’s retained that familiar resonant voice with its considerable vibrato.

His performance of this country standard proved that Jones is the absolute master of wringing every last bit of pathos out of his material.

He also did this to great effect on his own classics such Green, Green Grass of Home, the tear-jerker Here’s That Rainy Day (from Jones’s 1970s TV show), and most notably his over-wrought hit I’ll Never Fall in Love Again. Jones even put a tearful catch in his voice for that hurtin’ song, proving he’s never more effective than when portraying a man wronged.

Which brings us to his other considerable talent — Jones is actually an emotive actor who can sing.
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From Willamette Week, a newspaper in Oregon, comes an article called The Housewife’s Choice, in which the writer lists “six reasons why the ladies love Tom Jones.” Those reasons are that he’s: romantic, playful, comfortable with his sexuality, versatile, honest and knows his own shortcomings. It’s fun fluff with a grain o’ truth. (We noticed they borrowed some photos from this site for the collage they did that is shown at left.)

One review of Tuesday night’s show from The Edmondton Sun is overall a good one and we do understand why there is almost always mention panties (except the reviewer here in Las Vegas who unfailingly reviews Tom Jones, singer). When people don’t see him often, audience-tossed items are an unusual occurrence that one tends only to see at a Tom Jones show and it naturally draws comment. When people see him frequently, they often get annoyed by the interruption or, sometimes, even guess what he’ll do with a particular item — ignore it, pick it up, comment on it, etc. Practiced fans know there are ways to forecast what will happen.

This guy explains his dwelling on the panties by saying “it’s interesting that Jones can deal with this potentially embarrassing phenomenon, indeed make it part of his act, and still manage not to look silly in his music.”

He also says, [Tom] “enjoys his gift. He’s having fun. He’s also a master of timing, of using his voice to highlight emotion, of restraint to give his big notes more meaning.” On the whole, a good review, right? The color photo, right, is by Robert Taylor, Sun Media.

The other photo is from a review in The Edmondton Journal. This reviewer loved the show, opening with, “As brilliant and high-concept as Kanye West’s recent concert was, the brooding, “I’m-so-misunderstood” hip-hop star was missing one important component from his live show.

“Fun.

“That point was brought crashing down to earth as the devilishly silly Tom Jones and his 2,500 fans clapped, sang and laughed during Tuesday’s love-in at the Jubilee Auditorium.” She found a few, very minor, issues with the performance but it is on the whole a terrific review. Enjoy!

The Red Deer Advocate had a preview the other day of tonight’s show. The writer did her research on this one.

The black and white photo is by Shaughn Butts, The Journal.

As we posted on May 31, last Friday a ceremony was held in his hometown of Trealaw to honor Gordon Mills, the man who wrote It’s Not Unusual and who discovered Tom. We noted then, that despite what one news report said, Tom was unable to attend the ceremony because he was about 6,000 miles away in Seattle.

What we didn’t say then was how much fans who were fans when Gordon was around really appreciated Gordon’s appreciation — and understanding — of the fans. While we like to believe that Tom is so good to his fans because he’s a fan himself (just listen to him talk about Elvis and Jerry Lee). Gordon understood how important fans were and, within reason, always saw to it that they had access.

After we posted the story about the honor for Gordon, we heard from Tracy, his oldest daughter, who lives in Zimbabwe. Today, the second-oldest, Bev, added a note and we were so happy to hear from both of them. Bev’s note said what we suspected was true — that Gordon’s family had been in touch with Mark, who explained that Tom was on tour. No insult, no surprises, in Tom not attending the ceremony.

So, we thank Tracy and Bev for writing and hope that fans will take a second to add their own tributes to Gordon Mills.

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Hello. I am Gordon’s eldest daughter, Tracy. I am living in Zimbabwe and was unable to attend the memorial to my dad in Wales this last weekend. However, I’ve heard all about it from my family who said it was a most wonderful day. I just want to say that I am so glad that someone has actually decided to honour my dad in this way. As my brother Gordon said, to do it once could have been fluke. But to make three completely different people into world-wide superstars ….. definitely talent! My dad was an extraordinary man who was able to see other talent for what it was, get tremendously excited about it and then actually act on his own excitement in turning that talent into star quality. A rare gift indeed. To all of you who have made wonderful comments about my dad, I would like to thank you so much.

I am Gordon’s second eldest daughter, Bev, and I attended the Tribute to my dad in Trealaw on Saturday along with most of my family. It really was a most touching day and we all felt so proud. It saddened me to see the snide comment made by the reporter about Tom not being there. My mum spoke with Mark (his son and now manager) and invited them to come and they had a long chat and caught up on news etc. Mark explained that Tom was on tour and we did tell that to the reporter, however, they always seem to print what they like! My mum used to run Tom’s fan club! We, the family as a whole, have always been and continue to be great fans of his. He is an incredible singer and to quote my dad “the greatest performer in the world”!!! I would also like to thank those of you who have added supportive comments.

Photo, from left, are Gordon, Tom, Tom’s father and PR man John Moran. Tom is wearing a shirt from Cardiff-By-the-Sea, California, that was given to him by a fan.

We already link (at right) to the Ticketmaster page where you can buy tickets for Tom’s July 13 concert at Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay in San Diego. As you can see from the photo, this is a gorgeous venue that sits right by San Diego Bay.

But we also wanted to tell you that there is still time to buy one of the luxe, special packages for two people that the concert venue, hotel and restaurant are offering. Just scroll down the page on Ticketmaster to find them.

A suite for two, dinner for two and two front-row tickets are still available for $749 ($374.50 pp). A junior suite for two, dinner for two and two second-row seats are still available for $619 ($309.50 pp). And a deluxe room, dinner for two and two seats in the third or fourth row are still available for $539 ($269.50 pp).

Of course it’s pricey, but when you consider that you are often required to pay more than $100 a ticket and you can get dinner and a beautiful room, too, it’s really do-able for some people.

There are still some tickets available at $78 a bit further back and, perhaps, on the side. All of the dinner-show packages are sold out.

You can check out Humphrey’s Restaurant and Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn.

In all, not bad if you can swing it and, these days, we know that’s difficult. We cannot promise any other incentives than Sir Tom Jones in a very unusual venue in a beautiful city.