Ladies & Gentlemen…MR. TOM JONES!!!!
There was a time those words would be answered with shrill screams, waves of applause & knickers being tossed on stage. The likes of which, Mr. Pretty-Boy, Justin Timberlake, has never seen.
But that’s just it, Tom Jones is a man, not a boy-toy. With an albeit cheesy past related to tight trousers and the aforementioned panty-tossing (which, as a kid and now, as an adult, I think is weird), but it was Tom’s schtick and he rode it.
I’m not sayin’ that JT or (insert any current teen-heartthrob’s name) is any less talented, or that I am proud of Mr. Jones’ too-tight trousers and panty-tossing fans. I’m just sayin’, Mr. Jones had grown women in the palm of his hand…and still does today. They are just a bit more reserved, like he is now.
I have long been a fan of Mr. Jones, not a knicker-tossing fan, but a fan non-the-less. About 10 years ago, he was at the top of the charts with a critically acclaimed album called Reload. Well, not the top of the charts in the U.S., but in a much cooler place music-wise, England and the rest of Great Britain. I just happened to be there on a trip when I heard Burning Down the House in a way David Byrne could never have imagined. It was the top video, and you heard it everywhere. The same happened when Mr. Jones recorded Prince’s KISS a few years earlier. It was far more convincing coming from Tom than Prince. And did you know that was Tom Jones singing SexBomb which was featured in Sex and the City?
Repackaged and renamed in the States as Reloaded, it is a very different CD than the one I picked up in London. I guess the producers were afraid of not including his earlier works that most American would recognize like What’s New Pussycat, It’s Not Unusual, etc., which makes the American version far less impressive and innovative than the British release.
In the MP3 player, above, pay attention to Mama Told Me Not To Come, Burnin’ Down the House, Motherless Child, Sometimes We Cry, KISS & Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Reload was originally a “duet” type of cover album where Tom was paired with a wide range of musicians, such as, The Cardigans, Van Morrison, Robbie Williams, Stereophonics, Cerys From Catatonia, Natalie Imbruglia and Simply Red. The original CD is available on Amazon, click here: Reload.
Tom Jones has a new CD out called 24 Hours with all original songs. I didn’t want to jump into this recommendation without a little background for you. Those that know me well, know I like to pass on every tid-bit of information I have on a subject, so that they can have just as much useless information stored in their heads as I do. Although, I don’t think that would be possible.
I received 24 Hours as a Christmas gift from my friend, Evette. Funnily enough, she had called me a few weeks ago to let me know that Tom Jones was going to be on the Today Show. “Oh, Probably because he has a new CD coming out. I have it on my Amazon wish-list. It’s on pre-order right now..”, I said. To her credit, she did not convey an “I’m laughing with you-not at you” tone in her voice as she answered “You would.” No, I would say it was a straight-up “I’m laughing at you” tone. She can’t laugh too hard though, because she actually asked for a copy of the original Reload CD and she went with me and my Mom to see Mr. Jones in concert a couple years ago.
When I first listened to the new 24 Hours CD, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. There were tracks that I liked immediately, and the ones I didn’t, have grown on me. It is an interesting combination to a throwback ’60’s beat but with more sophisticated arrangements, sound, and production with a cool club vibe that I could sing along to, all the while, sounding like true Tom Jones. His voice is powerful, playful, soulful and fun. One of the few singers today that can rock out and sing a soulful ballad of a man who has lived life to the fullest- I’m just guessing here.
My favorite tracks on the CD are Style and Rhythm, Sugar Daddy, Seasons and Give a A Little Love.
Like my other favorite singers, Elvis and George Michael, Mr. Jones is all voice and charisma. I think he has been sold short on the true talent that he is. Packaged and sold as a sex- symbol early on in his career, I think it has been harder for him to be taken seriously by the American public. In Great Britain, he is iconic, in the States, not-so-much. But I will do my part to change that and encourage you to open your musical taste up to a man who’s contribution to music cannot be denied.
Will Justin Timberlake be able to deliver Rock Your Body, Señorita, Cry Me a River or any of his hits, as convincingly in 30 years? Time will tell.
But as Tom tells us in Sugar Daddy, “Don’t send a boy to do a man’s job.”
I’m just sayin’.
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December 22nd, 2008 10:24
I grew up watching my parents watch the Tom Jones show — I think it was Sunday nights. I didn’t understand the panty thing at the time. All I knew was that he was a fabulous entertainer, and even as a toddler, I remember being mesmerized by him. I guess he did what he felt he had to do to make a living. On the other hand, my guess is that he had little to do with the panties. I bet some fan did it once on her own and it stuck. What’s a guy to do? Ride the wave. Tom Jones has a remarkable instrument in his voice and, panties or not, no one can deny him that. (And1 thanks for letting me know that was Tom on the SexBomb song. Who knew??
December 22nd, 2008 19:54
H-o-l-y L-o-r-d~! I knew ~ LOL~ I FREAKIN LOVE Tom Jones~ (and Elvis) who’d a thought there were fellow Tom and Elvis lovers out there~ While Elvis’s greatness was worldl known~ Tom not so much~Maybe Elvis stole a bit of his thunder~But Tom Jones has a wonderful voice and STILL has great cords~ Wonder if Elvi’s would have held up as long~ I can hardly wait to listen to this~! Thanks so much for the great info~
December 23rd, 2008 09:24
Glad you all enjoyed the post! I also watched his variety show and loved it. You can get some episodes on DVD…http://is.gd/d84t
If you ever have a chance to see him in concert- please do. It is loads of fun and he doesn’t stop singing or moving. You won’t be disappointed, he does a good job of singing his oldies without rushing through them or seeming bored.He has a repertoire of fresh or more current cover hits that he does really well, sometimes better than the original artist.
He is also quite funny and tells a good story. He also laughs at himself quite a bit.
There are still some die hard fans or perhaps women trying to be “cute” holding up panties or tossing a few pair on stage, but Tom really doesn’t pay attention to them. And really, in today’s age, panties seem pretty lame and well- I say it -stupid.
As for Elvis stealing a bit of Tom’s thunder…I always take heart in stories I’ve heard that Elvis really liked Tom Jones and often went to see him in Vegas. I like to think a bit of Elvis lives on in Tom’s spirit of fun.
January 6th, 2009 19:15
Well, you certainly are the “Music Trend Diva”. In today’s (Jan 6) USA Today there is an article on Mr. Tom Jones and his new album ‘24 Hours’ in the Life section (page 4D). As for the stories you heard about Elvis liking Tom, well he did!!!!! They remain friends up until the last 2 years of his life. It is a fun article, not as good as your review, but worth checking out.
January 7th, 2009 08:10
My dear Evette, you doubted moi? I am happy to know that a national newspaper followed my lead and covered this important newsworthy topic
January 7th, 2009 10:03
Enjoyed your post! I actual saw Tom Jones in concert in Rapid City, SD, with my mother. I must have been in jr. high at the time. What a riot! He sang suspended from a platform and showered those closest to him with sweat. Women even threw their panties at him. I remember being surprised that the ladies in my home town, of all places, would be hip enough to do that! Thanks for bringing back some fun memories.