Tom Jones International

Finally, the promo concert on GMA October 30, 2003 begins with Tom singing It’s Not Unusual.

We love the shots of the audience — especially the little kid — and of the band. (Check out Herman looking as he did when we first met him.) As always, everyone’s having a blast.

Summer in the southern United States is sure to be hotter for a few days judging from the new concert dates have been announced on tomjones.com, (Keep watching, as we hear at least one terrific northeast date may be in the works.) The first date is especially nice as we believe a hurricane caused a cancellation of the last date there.

Here they are, with links to the box offices. As of today, tickets are only on sale at Beau Rivage. Keep checking for the others.

June 26: Beau Rivage in Biloxi, MS • June 27 & 28: L’Auberge Du Lac Casino, Lake Charles, LA • June 30 & July 1: HOB New Orleans • July 3: Nokia Theater Grand Prairie, TX (Note: the Grand Prairie Nokia site is “undergoing maintenance.” This is the site for AEGLive, owner of the venue.)

Our first Tom Jones poster is now on sale!

In response to fan requests when our 2008 TJI.com calendar was published without a photo capturing this precise moment, we secured a photo of Tom singing “You can’t be too flirty mama, I know how to undress me.”

The poster is 11.5″ by 17.5″(suitable for hanging almost anywhere, even behind a door or in your closet!) and is, of course, in full color (although the color on these low-resolutions photos don’t do the real poster justice).

The poster costs $20 in the US and Canada; $25 in all other countries. The price includes shipping and handling.

This will be on sale for a limited time. Our 2008 Tom Jones International Calendar sold out and, because we weren’t able to fill later orders, some fans were disappointed.

To order your poster with secure payment via PayPal, just click on the appropriate link at right (”For N. America and Canada” on top or “Outside N. America and Canada” on the bottom). We’ll let you know when they are mailed to you. We’re hoping you’ll have them by the end of May.

If you cannot use PayPal, or have other ordering problems, please email Ellen.

James Lawton, a columnist in The Independent wrote on April 22 about the fight last weekend. This guy may know his pugilism, but not his Tom Jones or his Tom Jones fans. And his writing is confusing. There’s something wrong with his quote about what Tom said on stage — unless it actually is a quote from more than 10 years ago. We cannot believe Tom would say such a thing to his fans.

But the comparison Tom makes between singers and boxers is interesting (in bold italics below), so we posted it. (And it is nice to see a mention of Budd Schulberg, who wrote some terrific novels and screenplays.)

In discussing Sir Tom’s friendship with fighter Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, Lawton writes:

Sir Tom poses question that all fighters must answer

“Sir Tom Jones’ spell-binding rendition of the Welsh national anthem in the ring before Calzaghe-Hopkins was a reminder of his interest in the sport through a close friendship with Tommy “Hitman” Hearns.

“I suppose fighters and singers have something in common in that that they have to go out to perform under pressure, though in my case I’ve never actually been hit,” he said on a night out here with his friend a few years ago. The ‘Hitman’ was at a point in his career when he was causing much concern by his decision to fight on, one which threatened a split with his long-time mentor Emanuel Steward.

“In his dressing room before his duties at the showroom of the MGM Grand, Sir Tom gently shifted the conversation to the eternal dilemma of when a man should seek new roads in life. This, he suggested, was probably a more pressing issue for a fighter, in that everyone you met professionally was anxious to knock your head off.

“His own challenge in Las Vegas was merely to continue to entertain matronly farmers’ wives from such places as Kansas and Iowa. He put on his face and strode on stage to receive an ecstatic reaction for belting out, What’s New Pussycat? But perhaps his earlier musings still played on his mind. He said from the stage, ‘Ladies, you know we’ve been doing this for 30 years — and on a night like this it doesn’t seem a minute less.’”

Photo above is Tom with Ray J. And, yes, you can still see the anthem video by clicking on the link in the post below.

Please be sure to recheck the bottom of this post, as we are adding comments from — and links to — newspaper articles about the relevant parts of the fight that we believe fans will enjoy. And do check comment #25, in which we find the BBC talking about Tom’s anthem.

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Before what announcer Jim Lampley called a “relatively healthy crowd” (meaning a large but by no means sold-out arena) Welsh fighter Joe Calzaghe defeated American Bernard Hopkins in a split decision to claim the title of Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.

The fight, held off the Las Vegas Strip in the Thomas and Mack Center’s new Planet Hollywood Arena at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, may not have been a sellout but the crowd — which included Catherine Zeta-Jones, Whitney Houston, Pete Sampras, Sylvester Stallone and lots of other stars — was enthusiastic and, during Ray J’s somewhat bizarre rendition of Star-Spangled Banner not a “boo” could be heard. Calzaghe entered the ring favored at odds up to 4:1 to win.

To sing “the first of two national anthems,” ring announcer Michael Buffer introduced “a Welshman and a true legend the world over, Sir Tom Jones.” Sporting a daffodil on his lapel over his heart, Tom sang Land of Our Fathers (Hen Wlad fy Nhadau) in Welsh. Click to see Tom singing the Welsh anthem.

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Before the match there was a pre-fight party at Planet Hollywood. Click to read some more about the fight, some commentary on the singing of the anthems and to see the photos from the event and (more…)

This is an update on the first post about the fight. We posted it as part of our mission to bring you the latest news about Sir Tom. We also hope, if you haven’t already, you’ll take some time to read the New York Times review below and tell us what you think of the DVDs. And there are some interesting comments after the DVD review post you may want to check out.

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ICWales is reporting that Tom will sing Land of Our Fathers, the Welsh anthem (see April 11 post below) at Saturday’s Calzaghe-Hopkins fight.

We found the two interesting things in the article are (1) that Joe Calzaghe says Tom suggested to him “I ought to come out here to make my name in America” and (2) that there is apparently a feeling on the part of some fans in the UK that the fans’ behavior — not Floyd Mayweather, Jr. — caused Ricky Hatton’s loss.

It is nice to see someone again tell us that Sir Tom apparently believes that making one’s name “in America” means actually making it. At this point we’re pretty sure Sir Tom could live anywhere he chooses as that “tax reason” for moving to the USA disappeared long ago. We believe that Tom, in his way, has a true belief in the American Dream. It’s odd to read that some British fight fans are apparently blaming Hatton’s loss on the ref’s anger at the UK fans who booed our anthem. Wonder what Mayweather would say abut that.

Don’t get angry, but we’d still love to hear Delilah and Piano Man.

Note: After you read this post, check out comment #2 below. Seems the people who wrote the Welsh national anthem were from……..guess where?……..Pontypridd.

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OK, this is kind of a tongue-in-cheek notion but on April 19 Welsh fighter Joe Calzaghe (pictured with Tom in 2006) is set to fight American Bernard Hopkins for the World Light Heavyweight Championship here in Las Vegas at the Thomas and Mack Center’s Planet Hollywood Ring.

Word comes on good authority is that Tom will be among a host of celebrities from both sides of the Atlantic to attend and, we’ve heard, he’ll sing “the” national anthem.

However, we’ve also read that following the disaster that took place when the US anthem was sung at the Hatton-Mayweather bout last year, it was agreed to drop the anthem singing for this match.

So, we’re wondering if instead of God Save the Queen or the official Welsh anthem, Tom will be singing that other Welsh anthem…you know, Delilah. If that is true, is it possible that The Star-Spangled Banner will be dropped in favor of Billy Joel singing the other American anthem, Piano Man? After all, who could boo either of those songs?
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It’s great to welcome Scoop back after an absence of a few months. As you can tell, Scoop’s enthusiasm for Tom hasn’t waned…..Just like so many of us.

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Tom Jones opened in Atlantic City like it was his first time all over again. Don’t know why, but he was rested, looking fit, full of energy and sounding especially polished! I’ve seen Tom start up many times after he’s had time off. The first night is usually the one where he hacks the frogs out of his throat. On Thursday night on the Boardwalk there were no frogs. Those in attendance were treated to the best Tom Jones has to offer, and that’s plenty good! Where he got the pep in his step will forever remain a mystery (to us anyway). But then Mr. Jones is no stranger to re-invention. Keep on Steppin’ Tom. We’re doing our best to keep up with you!

Gotta go, it’s almost show time!

—Scoop… out!

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Here’s a paragraph about Sir Tom in an article in vegaspopular.com. It’s about the 60+ entertainers that still carry a punch. In addition to Tom, they discuss Tony Orlando, Elton John, Barry Manilow, Tony Bennett and a few others. Thanks to Laura and Vince for sending it to us.

Don’t love it all, but here’s what they say about Tom:

Tom Jones

Age: 67

See Him Rock: Aug. 9-Sept. 22 at MGM Grand

You may as well call Tom Jones Mr. Charisma because, even with a cheesy goatee and bad dye job, the Welsh Wonder still rocks like no other. Sure, he’s pushing 70, but Tom still has the smooth moves and powerful voice that have caused panties to fly for more than 40 years. And who else could do a Prince song and make it cooler than the original? If you haven’t seen Tom live, Help Yourself to one of the greatest performers of all time during one of his MGM Grand performances throughout the year.

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Finally, you might want to scroll down to the post about “Tom Jones is sitting next to me!” to see another clip from that show.

Our Inside Scoop has finally been able to play catch-up and send us word about TJ’s Florida tour. We love what Scoop says about what makes a good show. The only thing omitted, we think, is the fact that individual experience comes into play. We can see a show we consider to be kind of average, but the person who’s never seen Tom before is just knocked out (which is a good thing). But Tom seems to please the very vast majority of his audience. That comes from being a great performer who loves performing. That’s why so many fans can see so many shows — over and over. Whatever, we’re always happy to hear from Scoop.

FOLLOW-UP: If you want to see photos of Tom’s concert in Amsterdam, they’re posted here. Just click on the words “Tom Jones” under his photo. A new screen will come up. Click on the words “Tom Jones In Concert.” The concert pictures are on the third page (the other pages have lots of grip-and-grin pictures of TJ and casino VIPs).

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As many of you know, it has been a very long time since Tom Jones has performed in Florida. Well, the drought is over. Friday night’s sold-out show at the famed Hard Rock Cafe on the grounds of the famed Universal Studio Walk was everything I had hoped it would be. An eager, enthusiastic crowd greeted Mr. Jones with thunderous applause as he steped out front and center from stage left.

It was difficult for me to determine whether or not the room was built for shows only, or if it doubles as the main restaurant seating area, too. There were just too many folks inside when I arrived to tell.
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Enjoy these posts, but please continue to check out Fans Favorite Photos on flickr. More are being added each day. We just — Tuesday, 8:15 PST — added 11 new photos including some great never-before-seen candids from the 1970s. We’re having a good time posting the photos for you. And, tomorrow, the last word (we think) from Chile and you’ll see a photo that’s quite a tribute to Sir Tom.

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Being back at “The Grand” (MGM) is analogous to slipping into a comfortable shoe. Tom Jones is back, and he’s good! The South American tour had to be quite an ego boost for the almost-67-year-old star. The public’s response to Mr. Jones was extraordinary, as chronicled in recent Scoops and elsewhere on this site.

To go from entertaining 16- and 20,000 people on two consecutive nights just weeks ago in South America, to 740 here at the MGM’s Hollywood Theater in Las Vegas, might prove to be quite a deceleration. But not for this amazing talent. Tom Jones put it in gear and went from 0 to 60 as soon as he hit the Las Vegas stage. Whether carrying 740 or 20,000, those fans who have come for the ride are treated to a high-performance entertainment vehicle that always delivers!

It seems obvious that Tom is very comfortable and proud of his current show, and he should be. The set list has to be one of his best. It’s diverse. It shows his range, and offers a spectrum of emotions. His voice is strong and clear. His showmanship? Superb!

An additional critical aspect to Tom’s very successful show is his band and back-up singers! Enjoying an evening with Tom Jones includes being treated to a band that is polished, strong, funky, skilled, talented and eager. His three back-up singers ably support Mr. Jones’ strong lead vocals. Tom must be pleased and perhaps even inspired by this fine support group of very talented artists. In return it’s evident that this band is gleefully inspired by Mr. Jones to give its all each and every performance. It’s about the synergy. And it happens nightly right before our eyes. This collective, impressive sound wave of talent leaves the stage like a freight train. It engulfs an engaged audience. When it’s over, you walk away and say to yourself, “I had no idea it would be that good.” Your step is lighter as you exit the theater. My friends, it IS that good!
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