With our regular columnist, local musician
Dr Michael Whiticker
BY chance Tom Jones appeared in my YouTube wanderings this last weekend, microphone in hand, pouring his heart out at 84 years old! You’d better believe it! A few minutes later I found him singing a duet with Jennifer Hudson… Sir Tom Jones & Jennifer Hudson’s ‘It’s A Man’s World’ – do google it.
With Blues Fest happening at the moment in Byron Bay, I’m immediately reminded of my attendance 10 years ago, catching a surprise knock-out show from Tom, accompanied by a crack band. I recall he was wearing a brown suit and it was a warm afternoon. He must have been sweating profusely so no surprise he stripped down to his waistcoat.
Thomas Jones Woodward, a singer of South Welsh heritage, began his career in 1963, but it was a year later, the year his manager renamed him Tom Jones (after the hit 1963 film), that marked the start of his illustrious career. From 1965 a string of hits flowed (including It’s Not Unusual, What’s New Pussycat, Delilah and She’s A Lady) – songs that he simply made his own.
Few singers can touch Jones for range and power and his style at times has been labelled “Popera”, indicating a connection with the rich and emotive vocal style of opera. Although not classically trained, he began as a youngster within the South Welsh “Kitchen singing tradition”, along with school and church choirs and perhaps it is these traditions, rather than the popular music of the time, that might have been his greatest influence?
Apparently as a child he would say to his mother, “Pull the drapes and announce me,” so any tradition in which he was schooled was only going to add to his passion for the performing stage!
Over the years, Jones has covered a vast array of other artists and it is interesting to see what he will do with a song largely associated with another prominent singer! I include in that list: Talking Heads’ Burning Down the House, Prince’s Kiss, Leonard Cohen’s Tower of Song, Tom Waits’ Bad as Me, Richard & Linda Thompson’s Dimming of the Day, and songs by Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Paul McCartney amongst many others.
If you want more of Sir Tom and enjoy surprises, check out on YouTube Every Sir TOM JONES Solo & Duet Performance on The Voice UK. There are 90 minutes of him, in many cases duetting with another great singer, so why not make a night of it! A Tom Jones dinner party anyone?
Actually, as I venture further along this search avenue, there are even more of his appearances on The Voice. Can there be too much of a good thing?
Do have a great month, full of spur-of-the-moment singing (it’s not unusual), and if it will help get you started, the “Kitchen singing tradition” mentioned earlier is simply impromptu gatherings, generally involving the singing of traditional Welsh folk songs while preparing meals, utilising any musical accompaniment that might come to hand, be it pots and pans and/or wooden spoons!
Lechyd Da (that’s “good health” in South Welsh).