At work last week I admitted that I loved a lot of Tom Jones songs. More than a few people rolled-on-floor-laughing at me!
It's not a "generation-thing" either as my boss is just a couple years older than I (I'm 47).....and HE was the ring-leader in poking fun at me!

I mean c'mon...this guy had a great voice! Some of his songs are quite good.

I must post here to get a little Tom Jones support! Please! So at work next week I can SHOW my support to the others!!! :D


Russ

Dude certainly has had a long and very successful career- he sells out the Las Vegas Hilton any night of the year he wants to perform there.

He's got a decent set of pipes, and puts on a good live act (so I've heard) in that lounge-lizard, Mr. Showbiz style that some folks appreciate and flock to see.

Oddly (in my mind, at least), Van Morrison is a big fan of Jones. I don't get it.

Whether you care for his music or not the man must have made a mountain of money....I don't think I've ever gone through a box of records at any garage sale or thrift and not seen several of the welshman's albums.

Doesn't matter where you go Tom's been there first!


Which reminds me.....

A fella goes to the psychiatrist and says, "Doc, I don't know what's wrong with me. Every morning I wake up and start singing to myself "What's new pussycat?" and "The Green, Green Grass of Home" and from then on, all day, I can't get them outta my head! Can you help me?

The shrink says, " You've got Tom Jones disease my friend"

"Is it very rare?" askes the fella.




(Wait for it!)


"It's not unusual" says the Doc (groan)

Cheers

I would'nt call myself a HUGE TJ fan. It's just that I think his voice is fantastic. I mentioned at work to the guys..."Hey, you hear that commercial on the radio using the Tom Jones song: "Help Yourself"?

Oh! Don't tell us you're a TJ fan ......ARE you? :) That did it!!

I don't even own any TJ music. Yet. I DO plan on seeking out a TJ greatest hits cd.

The teasing I got was all in good fun....its all good. I just don't understand how someone with such a fantastic singing voice can be considered a "joke" to so many people. A "has-been"? Perhaps, but certainly no joke. The man had singing talent.

Russ

To me, Tom Jones is like Barry Manilow. If I hear him once a week, it's OK. Brings back memories of my teen days.

And, the people who roll their eyes probably have a Tiny Tim album anyway.

I heard once that Tom Jones actually started off with a lot less powerful voice, but someone trained him by placing weights on his diaphragm while he lied down and he did breathing exercises.

Hey Russ,

Tom Jones was and still is a great singer and introduced Britain's idea of Elvis' swiveling hips to swooning American women.

Can you imagine "Thunderball" done any other way? (find the NPR interview with John Barry about Anthony Newley who wrote the song and how it went with Tom during the recording)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3870891

Other songs - Delilah, She's a Lady, Green, Green Grass of Home, What's New Pussycat

My son learned of him when the Ska band, Five Iron Frenzy, did a cover of "It's Not Unusual"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000296XV/sr=8-8/qid=1140293789/ref=pd_bbs_8/103-9935266-0186212?%5Fencoding=UTF8

So, a great singer who created a really interesting sound. Now, should we discuss Matt Munro (who sang "From Russia With Love"), Shirley Basse (notice a pattern?), Englebert Humperdink or Roger Whittaker?

Regards,

Bart

Now, should we discuss Englebert Humperdink or Roger Whittaker?

Regards,

Bart

Ummm, that would be a "no", Bart.

RussinOhio said "I just don't understand how someone with such a fantastic singing voice can be considered a "joke" to so many people"

My reply to that would consist of 2 words.... Celine Dion (Have you watched the woman sing......? :sigh: )

Cheers

Celine Dion (Have you watched the woman sing......? :sigh: )

For my wife's birthday, we went to her show in Vegas. Even my wife was cringing. She's absolutely painful to watch, and in the live show, her voice is not what you're used to hearing. The show is set up so she doesn't have to move much on her own, and everthing else moves around her. All in all, not a good thing.

Tom Jones is only a joke because the thousands of women who used to throw their panties at him are now throwing Depends.

Hey Tom Jones can really sing, no doubt about that. I think that people consider him sort of a joke because he can be a little cheesy at times.

I like some of Toms music. I also like some of Barry Manilow and Humperdink.

At work last week I admitted that I loved a lot of Tom Jones songs. More than a few people rolled-on-floor-laughing at me!
It's not a "generation-thing" either as my boss is just a couple years older than I (I'm 47).....and HE was the ring-leader in poking fun at me!

I mean c'mon...this guy had a great voice! Some of his songs are quite good.

I must post here to get a little Tom Jones support! Please! So at work next week I can SHOW my support to the others!!! :D


Russ

Whatever floats yer boat.

Not something I would listen to but if it you like it, more power too ya.

I think I exceeded my cliche per day limit on that one...

Absolutely nuthin'! Say it again!

Three reasons that are largely separate from Tom himself and his singing ability: repertoire, arrangement and production. All three tend to be florid and overblown and make ripe picking for mockery.

Tom Jones. :yuck: :yuck: JMHO :)

cubdog