Tom Jones Talk

Praise and Blame Furor

A Sick Joke

David Sharpe is a vice-president with Island Records and was instrumental in hiring Tom Jones away from EM1 at a cost of 1.5 million to produce a new album, the first in for Jones in 15 years. Apparently, Sharpe’s office is so isolated from the production studio that he was unaware until it was too of what type of album Tom was making.

I don’t believe for an instant that Sharpe was unaware of Jones’s heavily publicized comeback effort at 70 years of age by no longer being the sex bomb of his earlier days. Also, what company executive pays 1.5 M and then doesn’t follow up on what’s happening in the room down the hall?

David Sharpe was particularly vicious in the e-mail, reportedly calling the album “a sick joke” and demanding his money back. The e-mail—sent to a colleague—was “leaked” to the press in an obvious attempt to gain publicity and stir up interest for the album.

Mr. Jones was incredibly upset with Mr. Sharpe’s comments and the “leaked” e-mail. He contacted the label and freely states that he was told the entire exercise was done for the purpose of publicity.

However, Sir Tom took Sharpe’s comments very seriously as a direct insult to his performance on the album. He denounced it as “negative” publicity. Tom regards the album as his legacy and is extremely protective of it. Even though Island Records reassured Jones that they loved the album, he was still upset with the whole charade.

Tom has indicated his handlers and Sharpe’s people are keeping them separated, not daring to allow Tom near him.

Remembering Tom Jones

Celebrating Tom Jones

I remember when Tom Jones burst onto the national stage in 1966 with his hit song—written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David—“What’s New Pussycat.” I was generally oblivious to music at the time, preferring the new and burgeoning talk radio stations instead. However, you simply could not escape this song, it was everywhere.

At that time, along with many others, I was a little surprised it was on the radio because I thought it bordered on being pornographic. I was a member of a hard-shell Baptist Church in Dallas back then and Tom was on the preacher’s lips every Sunday.

I was aware of Jones because of his previous release in 1965 of “It’s Not Unusual” (as I said, I was not “into” music, but this song was impossible to miss.)

Of course, Woody Allen’s movie of the same name was also showing and that just increased the popularity of Tom Jones and the song.

I was struck by how disgusting this big, sweating, hairy guy looked while performing on stage, grunting and bellowing. Of course, I wasn’t looking at it from the female perspective. They absolutely ate it up!

Tom redeemed himself to me when he came out the next year in 1966 with “Green, Green Grass of Home”, still one of my all-time favorites.

I later learned that the shift to this haunting ballad style was meant to shore up Tom’s fading popularity. His songs played on the radio every day from 1965 through 1966 so I’m not sure that his popularity was fading all that much in this country.

Now at 70 years of age, Toms going to blues/gospel full time in another strategic move to retain his popularity through over five decades of entertaining.

I bet he does it!

The New "Old" Tom Jones

Sir Tom-Blues and Gospel?

Mark Woodward is the son of Sir Tom Jones, more importantly; he is also Tom’s “crack the whip” manager. Since 1986, when Woodward assumed the position of Tom’s manager, he has slowly been adjusting the direction of Jones’s career.

In recent years, he has convinced Tom that it is time that he abruptly drop his Sex Bomb image, and work toward blues and gospel songs. Woodward is convinced that Tom sporting jet black dyed hair, leaving his shirt unbuttoned to the navel and wearing tight-crotched trousers paint the now older Jones as a ludicrous caricature of his former self. Jones’s fans seem to disagree and want to hold onto the old Tom Jones until he goes to his grave. Even younger fans who didn’t know Tom in his early years have latched onto his highly-charged sex image.

Sex Bomb was a 1999 mega-hit which defined his highly-sexed persona and along with songs such as Its Not Unusual and What’s New, Pussycat are what audiences still want to hear. Woodward believes that Tom has “been there, done that” and as he enters his eight decade it is time to become a different type of entertainer. The days of Tom—picking up ladies underwear off the stage, mopping his brow and tossing them back into the audience—are over.

There has been controversy since Tom released Praise and Blame, his latest blues and gospel album. The critics have been lukewarm to very critical in their acceptance of his new album and the public has been shocked at the dramatic change of style.

Sir Tom’s public is clearly undecided if they approve of his albums and concerts of blues and gospel songs.

Mrs. Tom Jones

Melinda Woodward's Journey

Melinda Woodward in 1957—when she married Tom Jones—was a blond beauty with a small, stunningly attractive body. In photos taken of Melinda and Jones throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s, she exhibited her girlishly delightful personality and if anything the beauty of face and body remained timeless.

Today, Melinda is a 71 year-old grandmother of two grown grandchildren by her son Mark and his wife Donna. Melinda is heavy, somewhat dowdy and drab—as are many of us at that age—and does not appear to be steady on her feet.

However, in recent photograph taken of Melinda and Tom she is smiling and that indefinable girlishly delightful personality opens up and shines through for a moment. Despite 55 years of marriage—a lifetime that is a study in contradictions, medical problems and marital mental and emotional abuse—it is obvious from the photograph that Melinda and Tom still love each other, just like when they married in 1957.

The contradictions in her married life with Tom are a result of being wealthy and living a life of material privilege contrasted with deepening depression and agoraphobia and the unrelenting assault of Jones sexual escapades and affairs day after day, year after year.

The combination of mental sickness that has made her a lonely—Tom is rarely home due to his singing engagements and her—friendless prisoner in luxurious surroundings; and the emotional abuse of a sexually-ill husband who has stated that he at the peak of his career he had sex with over 250 women a year.

For now and the foreseeable future, Mrs. Woodward—Jones changed his name before becoming successful—seems fated to be unable to leave her home, continue to have an unreasoning fear of attack by handgun and remain unwilling to make friends due to her depression.

This is a tragic ending for a woman who began as a young and beautiful girl who married an international superstar with wealth and riches and yet never found happiness.

Sir Tom's New Persona

Tom Jone's Do-over

Tom Jones and his wife Linda became parents when Tom was 17 years of age. The birth of his son Mark occurred after one month of marriage in 1957. Sir Tom is now 72 years of age and Mark is 55. The minute Mark convinced his father to stop dying his hair the resemblance between father and son became absolutely compelling.

In addition to the naturally graying locks, both men sport a beard and share the same basic facial features. Amazingly, since both also share many of the same facial expressions, Tom actually appears no older than Mark. In fact, his coloring is darker and healthier looking than that of his son.

Gordon Mills, Tom’s longtime manager, succumbed to cancer in 1986 and 29 year old Mark, assumed the job and grew into it quickly. Mark believed it was time for Tom to accept his more mature status and build upon his credibility as a great entertainer.

The tight pants and crows-wing black hair dye were the first things to go. Even Tom admitted that his dark hair and less than youthful face were prompting ridicule from critics and fans alike. He also admits the looser pants he now wears are infinitely more comfortable and do not bind so painfully in the crotch as did the tighter pants.

Tom’s music is also going through a do-over. In 2010 he released his 39 studio album, Praise and Blame, through Island Records. The album is an ambitious compilation of gospel, rockabilly, blues, country-folk and soul. It is an extraordinary achievement for an entertainer who is 70 years of age. The album received generally favorable reviews.

Sir Tom Jones Charities

Singing on the Street

Tom Jones is not widely publicized in the United States for his philanthropy work but nonetheless is actively involved in supporting a number of charitable organizations. Among them are:

Comic Relief

A British charity, founded in 1985 by comedians Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry. The charity was initially organized in response to famine in Ethiopia and has since then fine-tuned its direction into developing a “just world without poverty.” It is a major charity with tremendous donation-raising capability. It has been criticized by some for taking donations that would otherwise go to more traditional charities.

Elton John AIDS Foundation

Sir Elton John first established the non-profit foundation in the United States in 1992 and later in the United Kingdom in 1993. The charities raise millions each year and target it for use in 55 countries around the world. In addition to funding research and a cure, the fight on aids is extended to taking steps to eliminate the discrimination in the workplace that is associated with the disease. The charity also provides expenses for the things that typically tax the resources of the family as they accompany the victim for treatment and as they stand vigil with them.

Help for Heroes

Launched on October 1, 2007 by Bryn Parry and Emma Parry, this British charity was founded to provide better care and facilities for British soldiers wounded in the war on terror. The Parry’s went to the top of the military structure for support of the new charity. Since then, high profile patrons and trustees have been attracted to the organization. National newspapers have joined in supporting the charity, giving it even a broader base of acceptability.

Sir Tom was paid the highest known fee of any entertainer—3.1 million euros—at a Monaco Red Cross event and turned around to donate a substantial amount of it back to the charity. Conversely, he has even busked—played on the street for donations—at locations around London to generate money and attention for cancer research. Mr. Jones’s performance immediately generates a huge crowd who donates generously.

Tom Jone's Favorite Meal

Romantic Meal

Sir Tom Jones enjoys a loving family, boisterous stage life, cold British beer and comfort food. His family and singing career are constants in his life and he indulges in British beer and comfort food whenever it’s possible to fit them in.

He enjoys sitting with the stage crew and anyone else that cares to join him for the British beer and seldom misses visiting the Dickens Pub to enjoy comfort food whenever he is performing close to St. Petersburg, a Federal city of Russia.

Sir Tom’s preference in comfort food is Bavarian Style Pork Shanks with Bacon Lentils. This dish is a rich, flavorful lintel and bacon casserole—flavored with sauces, spices and seasonings all bound together with whole butter and lager beer—with a sizzling hot and juicy “fall-apart tender” lamb shank placed on top of each serving.

Whether you’re a Tom Jones fan or not, treat yourself to a fantastic dinner at home with your spouse. Complete the experience by playing Tom’s latest release of Praise and Blame as background music.

Before beginning, please remember the Dickens Pub is a world famous restaurant and while it freely gives the ingredients that comprise the dish, it does not provide the measurements. Simply follow the directions and adjust the seasonings to your taste. Also, assemble all the ingredients and lay them out for easy availability. This recipe requires time and attention during the course of the day to cook the pork shanks to the level of deliciousness desired. You are not involved the whole time while the meat is cooking or marinating. It is worth the investment when you surprise your loved one with this meal.

Bavarian style Pork Shanks with Bacon Lentils à la Dickens Pub
Meat Ingredient
Pork Shanks
Marinade Ingredients

Mix the following ingredients together to taste; pour in a large bowl, cover with cling wrap and place it in the refrigerator:
Lager Beer
Garlic
Salt
Worcester sauce
Honey
Thyme
Rosemary
Sage

Method:

1. Bind the shanks in cling-film or cooking twine to hold the meat to the bone during the first cooking process.

2. Poach in slightly salted water for 3½ hours, and allow the shanks to rest for another ½ hour in the un-heated liquid.

3. Take off the bindings from the cooked shanks, drain & place them in the beer-herb marinade solution for at least 6 hours.

4. Remove the shanks from the beer-herb marinade and bake for 20 minutes in the oven at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tip: Splash the marinade onto the skins at the end of this cooking process in the oven to add caramel flavors.

Lentil Ingredients:
Lentils: Brown, Green, or Le Puy

Bay leaf
Seasoning Ingredients
Add as much of the ingredients below as desired:
Bacon
Onion
Garlic
Thyme
Butter

Method

1. Boil the same volume of water (chicken or vegetable stock if desired,) as lentils. Add lentils, bring to boil again then cover and simmer with a bay leaf for a further 20 minutes.

2. Cook the chopped bacon, chopped onions, garlic and thyme in a deep casserole pan. Until browned, then add butter to the mix.

3. When the lentils are cooked add them to the casserole dish and mix with the rest of the ingredients. The butter will help to spread the flavor through the lentils.

4. Add a tbsp of double cream, per person to be served, to the bacon, onions and, garlic and mix, before the lentils finally join them.

5. Make sure the lentils are warmed through. Ladle into shallow bowl dish, place the pork shank on top, serve and enjoy.

Tom Jones-Coat of Arms

Tom Jones-Armorial Bearing

Tom Jones – knighted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace in 2005 – applied to the College of Arms for his own Armorial Bearings and received them in 2011. Chartered by Richard the Third in 1484, the College of Arms determines the eligibility of individuals and awards and administrates Armorial Bearings.

A common misconception is that Armorial Bearings or Coat of Arms is granted to a familywhich is not the case. Coat of Arms is granted to individuals and members within a family may be granted a different Coat of Arms. The Armorial Bearing consists of the Shield, Helmet with Crest on top, scroll bearing the motto of the individual and a Mantling or cape, worn over the armor in hot or cold weather.

Sir Tom chose a Coat of Arms emblazoned with a Welsh dragon and a leek. For reference, in 2002 Sir Paul McCartney received a Coat of Arms decorated with a guitar and a liver bird representing his vocation and Liverpool roots. Sir Tom selected for the Crest a red dragon grasping an inverted leek which adorns the top of the Helmet. Jones chose an upright key standing between two trees to decorate his Shield. This symbol represents - Woodward –his actual last name.

Jones paid the requisite 3,500 pounds to apply for his Armorial Bearings. While applications are accepted from anyone, persons who have received recognition from the Queen or who bear civil or military commissions, or who are qualified by virtue of professional accomplishments are considered in advance of those simply attempting to verify their eligibility.

Sir Tom at Seventy

A Moment with Sir Tom

Sir Tom Jones is now 70 years of age and exudes energy and charm. His naturally thick hair, graying to attractive silver is set off by his startlingly blue eyes. Jones is quick to smile and associates comfortably with everyone around him – not as a star – but as someone as whom he is simply sharing a beer. He enjoys conversation and doesn’t mind being the center of it. Sir Tom was knighted in 2005 by the Queen at Buckingham Palace for his contribution to music made throughout his career. He has a happy, longtime marriage and a loving son.

Tom loves British beer – his favorite being Brains SA – and freely offers a bottle to everyone around him. It should be said that although he has enjoyed alcohol since very early in his life he has never let it determine his actions. He has said that he has been disappointed with entertainers he idolized when they performed or were interviewed while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He vowed to himself to never allow that to happen to him, and he hasn’t.

Praise and Blame – Jones newly released album – tested his ability to restrain his natural exuberance which results in forcefully projecting his voice while singing.

He worked hard to contain his natural instincts, hold back that powerful voice and feel the emotion as he sung. He has had some experience with this style of singing when he performed The Green, Green Grass of home. He also credits the instrumental arrangements and the performance of them by the band as contributing greatly to the success of the album.

Jones is self-declared as a Christian and wanted to produce a gospel-style album with strong religious overtones.

Only Drugs I'll Ever Need!

Applause is a Drug

In an interview with Julian Marszalek Tom Jones made the statement that a round of applause and a pint of decent ale were the only drugs he would ever need. He went on to talk in-depth about his thoughts on drug and alcohol abuse.

As of 2012, Tom Jones is close to 72 years of age and maintains that he has never used drugs, including marijuana, which is as common as cigarettes among some entertainers. Jones says he learned about the negative effects of drugs firsthand and early in life when he saw entertainers botch performances after using too many drugs. Later in life he watched big name entertainers turn in interviews the day after using drugs that cast them in the worst possible light. Cocaine was perhaps the most common drug of choice at the parties and clubs he frequented as he was coming up through the business. The sheer volume of cocaine that was consumed publically and casually was a turn-off for Jones. At some parties he says he got high just from the cocaine dust and marijuana fumes present in the air. The singer was always concerned about the negative effects that drugs had on performances and public appearances of other entertainers that he witnessed over the years. Additionally, he was also concerned about the debilitating and long-term toll that drugs took on the body.

Conversely, from his earliest days the entertainer has always had a close and loving relationship with drink. However, he maintains that he is a control freak when he drinks. While British beer is his beverage of choice he does enjoy the taste of other types of alcohol. He is adamant that not only does he control the number of drinks that he imbibes but he also wants to know the alcohol content of those drinks. He says he never takes a drink handed to him by others, preferring instead to order himself for himself so he knows what he is drinking.

In addition to a pint of ale, the hard-thrusting, highly charged entertainer says he is hit with a more potent rush than any drug can provide when the audience rewards his performance with enthusiastic and sustained applause.

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