Tom Jones International

Be sure to read the show review below — and look for another after tonight’s show — but, meanwhile, we wanted you to know about this:

HERMAN MATTHEWS AND FRIENDS PLAY TWO DATES AT THE BOOTLEGGER BISTRO IN LAS VEGAS

Herman Matthews and Friends is unlike any group you’re likely to hear today. Their funky, soulful jazz is the result of seven master musicians with divergent backgrounds and tremendous talent coming together and letting loose on amazing music.*

Kenny Anderson (sax), Frank Strauss (keyboards), Brian Monroney (guitar), Bill Churchville (trumpet), Ric Fierabracchi (bass), Mike Turnbull (trombone) and Herman Matthews (drums) have each played with top musicians.

Several are Tower of Power alumni and among them they have played with Gloria Estefan, Arturo Sandoval, Phil Settle, Kenny Loggins, Elton John, Joe Cocker, John Hiatt, Willie Nelson, Billy Joel, Tom Jones, Melissa Manchester, the Doobie Brothers, Kid Rock, The O’Jays, Percy Sledge, Robert Goulet, WAR, Dwight Yoakum, Ben E. King, Shakira, the Beach Boys, Ann Hampton Calloway, Chick Corea, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Vince Gill, and others.

They will be at the Bootlegger Bistro, 7700 Las Vegas Blvd South, on November 1 and November 8.

The shows will begin 11:30-ish and there is a full menu available.

For reservations (suggested), please call The Bootlegger, 702-736-4939.

*If you think all these adjectives are overstatement, just come and listen to them.

Note as of Friday morning: There’s a slight correction in the setlist below. Sorry, it was late last night.

“What a great show!”

That’s our totally unbiased opinion. For real. Well, OK, we’ll tell you about it and you can judge for yourself.

The curtain rose and there was no video — just Tony whipping an already excited crowd into a frenzy. When Tom bounded on stage wearing a red jacket the roar that greeted him was tremendous.

With the video gone there was a large spotlight upstage behind Herman and, in it, a red dragon holding a mic — Tom’s logo. The lights and the graphics in the spot changed throughout the show to suit the songs.

Tom looked wonderful — very healthy and very happy to be there. He was almost glowing. And he should glow. It’s a terrific show.

First up was I’m Alive, a perfect opening song and, next, Help Yourself.

As is his habit after the second song, Tom greeted the audience and explained that I’m Alive is from his soon-to-be-released CD and it was also apt because of the rumors of a couple of weeks ago.

[We didn't post it at the time, but it seems Fox News — that crackerjack, always reliable organization — was calling all over the place — the UK, LA and Las Vegas — "trying to confirm the rumor that Tom Jones had died." Ellen heard about it when she got a call from someone who had been called by someone Fox had asked. She, in turn, called a reporter at the Las Vegas daily paper to see if it was on the newswire and was told it was not. Then she called Ursula and another friend and they worried together over the phone, on and off for two hours, each calling the other with a mixture of hope and fear. Finally, Ellen was told that Sir Tom was safe at home in LA and she told the others. But as you can imagine, it was scary stuff while it was going on.]

At any rate, after I’m Alive, he mentioned the rumor and how strange it was “to read your own obituary.” (That last, we assume, was a figure of speech, as no obit actually appeared.)

Next was Seasons, a hauntingly beautiful number complete with lush sythesized strings. Delilah, 200 Pounds and End of the Road followed. Then came If She Should Ever Leave You with those haunting last notes. The standard trio (Here’s That Rainy Day, Fly Me To the Moon, Ol’ Black Magic) were up next and Grandma’s Hands and Git Me Some followed.
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Excitement is high in TJ Land as Tom prepares to open tonight at the MGM Grand. Of course, like all fans, we have expectations.

First, because it’s Sir Tom Jones, we expect a terrific show.

But, while we know it’ll be terrific, we also know that through November 9 Tom’s 7:30 pm show is followed in the Hollywood Theatre by Rodney Carrington at 10 pm. That means little or no wiggle room for improvisation or audience interaction. But, we’re still expecting fabu Tom.

Second, because there’s a new CD, we’re expecting four or five new entries on the set list.

Based on the cuts that have been played during his appearances and interviews, we imagine he’ll sing 24 Hours, If He Should Ever Leave You, Give A Little Love and one or two others — perhaps I’m Alive and (dare we hope) Sugar Daddy or The Hitter.

We’ll have a complete report tomorrow.

On a personal note, we expect to see many Friends Thru Tom who will be here in the next two weeks. We are so fortunate to know them all and look forward to meeting more of you who visit our site.

Also, you can buy tickets now for January 15-28 at the Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand. Scroll down to find the January dates. (We sure hope someone updates his bio on the MGM site very soon as the focus is still the 1960s.)

(In the next several days, look for our review of the entire 24 Hours CD. Our copy is here from the UK and we cannot wait to take some time to listen properly.)

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From today’s column by critic (and TJ fan) Mike Weatherford in the Las Vegas Review Journal:

Tom Jones fans are excited about the singer’s return to the MGM Grand today through Nov. 12. His show is said to include four or five songs from his new album, 24 Hours, the first U.S. live performances of any of them.

The album doesn’t come out until Nov. 25, but song samples that have turned up on the Internet are in the ’60s-retro vein of Amy Winehouse, a full-circle loop back to her influences. Bono and The Edge guest on the album that is Jones’ first U.S. release in 15 years. …

From our favorite US tabloid, the NY Post’s music blog. And we love the photo from S-Curve. Way to go!

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Wait right there you little sneaky pants! Don’t click away just because you see Tom Jones and you say to yourself, “Oh, what the deuce is this, AARP week on PopWrap!?” He may be an oldie, but his new CD is probably going to blow up bigger than Marsha’s nose after that loopy football accident in the back of the Brady yard. Give me two minutes, and a listen of one track - just envision Carlton doing that little snap-jig from Fresh Prince and you’ll be fine.

Legendary singer Tom Jones will release his first new US studio album in 15 years on Nov. 25 entitled 24 Hours. Most of the 13 songs are co-written by Jones and produced by British duo Future Cut, who have recently helmed tracks for Lily Allen, Kate Nash, Estelle, and others. Yea, that’s right, those bubbly British babes I love so much may be influencing this music god. His first single “If He Should Ever Leave You” makes me wanna poor a glass of bourbon, cuddle up next to a cozy fire with that special someone and pretend I’m on some cheesy 70s soap opera (and I hate scotch and fires.)

In addition to Jones’ co-written songs, Bono and the Edge of U2 contribute and play guitar on a brand new song Sugar Daddy, written specifically for Jones and inspired by a meeting of the friends in a pub in Dublin.

His new CD is bound to have some humdingers. I’m sure some will be fun watercooler knee slappers ripe for making fun of. But other singles like I’m Alive produced by Gym Class Hero’s famous SAM and a devastating take on Bruce Springsteen’s The Hitter could very well be hits too.

Look at Mr. Fancy Jones, and all his music connections — and now you know it too thanks to Carlton! I just took a second to breathe in and actually realize that I am writing about Tom Jones, hilarious. My mom is totally going to send me an email saying how great she loved this week’s “Bumps on the Humps” and maybe follow it up with “That Tom Jones just knows how to treat a lady.” Yes mom, he does, he treats women just like all of his songs, and he lives in your radio, with Michael Bublé and KC and the Sunshine Band.

At 2 pm this afternoon Sir Tom Jones will be in a studio for a taping of the Tavis Smiley Show.

The taping will last a half-hour.

The show, seen on Public Broadcasting Stations (PBS) in every state in the US — often at midnight — is described as “a unique mix of news and pop culture to combine for one thought-provoking and entertaining program. A hybrid of news, issues and entertainment, it features interviews with artists, activists, newsmakers, politicians and everyday people.”

Smiley has won numerous awards and boasts as guests a very broad and deep range of people. It promises to be a different interview than Tom’s been doing in the UK and different from those announced for next month in New York on GMA and Live With Regis and Kelly.

The broadcast date has not been announced.

Please don’t forget to check out the radio interviews and video in the three posts directly below this one!

Read this review in the knowledge that it’s only one person’s opinion and that person doesn’t quite approve. Read the second story with a grain of salt…..just another way to capitalize on stuff best kept private. May be true — or not — but we believe it’s really none of our business.

Tom Jones: 24 Hours





Pete Paphides/Times online.

It takes some balls to turn an admission of guilt into a romantic love song. We all know that, as a singer, that’s one quality that Tom Jones has never lacked. So perhaps it’s not that surprising to learn that, on his new album, Pontypridd’s most celebrated export has taken the opportunity to apologise to his wife Linda for all his past infidelities.

Having apologized so publicly, a part of you hopes that he may then go on to plead forgiveness for other indiscretions. That version of Prince’s Kiss springs to mind – as does his decision at last year’s Live Earth concert to cover Arctic Monkeys’ I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor in much the same way bears cover other bears’ territory.

Mercifully, however, 24 Hours signals an important development. Unlike recent albums, there are few arch interpretations of other people’s tunes. What covers there are – in particular, an electrifyingly raw demolition of Tommy James & The Shondells’ I’m Alive – are well-chosen.
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Be sure not to miss the video and yesterday’s BBC interview posted below!

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Tom was on the Steve Wright afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 this afternoon. He plays bits of two songs, talks about what’s left to do, his career plans, working with his son Mark (who can be heard in the background) — a bunch of stuff. And the last question Wright asks is funny indeed. Again, Tom’s having a great time!

Here’s the interview:

Part 1 • Part 2

You can listen here as Tom talks about John Lennon.

He’s told these stories before but, even if you’ve read or heard them, his joy at telling a good story is palpable and great fun.

Once again, this comes from channelbee.com, a site that posts video — some of it really terrific — every day on youtube. And since we love their pre-interview disclaimer, we posted it. Really, check out channelbee.

If you can’t watch it here, you can do so on the TJI.com video blog.

We are so grateful to our friend WB for sending this.

We must apologize for not posting the Kris Kristofferson song Why Me? that Tom discusses in this interview. The rest of the 40+ minutes is all there and, in truth, you probably know that song and, if you don’t, you probably won’t miss it. Apologies.

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Here, in a very funny interview, Tom discusses a wide range of things. You’ll hear about the etiquette of addressing a Knight of the Realm, Thomas John Woodward, Sinatra, that great laugh, Springsteen, Seasons, how he will take “any opportunity” to sing, Elvis, Why Me? the person with whom he’d like to work, The Hitter, The Simpsons, a sense of humor, It’s Not Unusual accompanied by the ukulele and, for the finale, Colin Murray plays Tom’s choice of any song in the world. (Guess what it is?)

Part 1 • Part 2 • Seasons • Part 3 • Part 4 • The Hitter • Part 5 • Great Balls of Fire

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AND, this just in from the women’s section of the Times online: “‘Nine times out of ten, when I put the word out that I want songs, the stuff I get delivered is about sex,’ complains Tom Jones. Well, he started it.”

Be sure to come back early this evening (PDT) for more news.

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Keith Cooper — founder and moderator of jonesthevoice.com — and his wife Joedy are major Tom Jones fans, but they also really like Donny & Marie who this week are opening a long engagement at the Flamingo Hotel here.

The Coopers visited us in Las Vegas to see Donny & Marie at the MGM this summer and, yesterday, sent this link to us.

So, in honor of Keith & Joedy and to congratulate them on their daughter’s recent marriage, here is Tom & Marie singing a Diana Ross medley. It’s from the Donny & Marie Show in the 1970s. And doesn’t Tom look great?