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This
is the time to look back and reflect on the year just past. In the wider world
it was a year of extremes. It was great — the longest campaign and most exciting
presidential election ever in the US (and no matter how you voted you must
agree) and it was scary — a world economy that has tanked, wars and conflicts
that seem never ending. Those, in a nutshell, are the highs and lows.
In the somewhat narrower World of Tom Jones it was indeed a very good year.
Highlights include 24 Hours which, love it or not, gave us the opportunity to see Sir Tom on TV doing all sorts of interesting things — from busking, to chatting and being very funny. Oh, yes, and he sang a lot, too. Fans were very pleased and lots of people who didn’t before these appearances got to know Tom Jones — and that’s always good.
The
new CD also meant a new setlist in late October and that was nice. It meant new
publicity photos — great ones — and lots of positive press. Even when being
negative, the press wasn’t bad (except for that silly, false report about
insured chest hair). For example, when the “mankini” incident occurred in August
the commentary as the photos were shown on a TV show known for its snide remarks
was fine. (”Look at that! Sixty-eight years old and rockin’ the mankini!”)
All year Sir Tom looked and sounded great and, finally, he seems to be getting the kind of recognition he deserves, especially in the USA. Check out this site’s area of 24 Hours Reviews for ample evidence of the recognition of his stature. It’s wonderful.
Also, if you’ve missed any video, go to the TJI.com Video Library and see what’s there. If you haven’t missed any, you can view your favorites once again. That’s one place where Tom Jones is always easily accessible for you.
Quotes of the year include:
“I hope you record it. But if you don’t, no big deal, I’ll just slit my wrists.” — Tom Jones, on what Bono said after he and U2 guitarist The Edge wrote the new song, Sugar Daddy, for Jones’ new album.
“Who am I to stop them? It pleases people. I don’t like to disappoint.” — Tom on why he lets fans buy him drinks. (He really is a giver, isn’t he? That’s why we love him!)
“What I like about that song is that I walk on and ‘make my memories’. I’m still making my memories, I’m not just thinking of old memories.” — Tom on the song Seasons, to journalist Simon Hattenstone in a great interview in The Guardian.
“I pray every night by the bed before I go to sleep. I say, ‘Look after my family and my friends and band members and all the people who work with me, and thank you for giving me this voice. Please may I keep it for as long as I live.’” — Tom on faith in the same interview as just above.
Tom Jones opens at the MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theatre on Thursday, January 15.
Photos © John A. Vink from the Apple Computer party.
