The knock on Tom Jones is that he makes music for housewives, swinging his hips and bellowing generic tunes while sending Middle American women into a panties-throwing frenzy. While it's true it's impossible to write an article on the hunky Welshman without using the phrase "hunky Welshman," it took me years to realize that not only was this not necessarily a bad thing, but that it's a lazy jab that overlooks Jones' abilities as a singer and performer.
Those traits are present in full display on Time-Life's new DVD set, This Is Tom Jones: Vol. 1: Rock 'N Roll Legends, a compilation of eight episodes throughout the run of his variety show, which lasted for 57 episodes on ABC from 1969-71.
According to the interview in the bonus features, Jones, who was 28 when the show first aired, was hired because ABC was looking for a young singer who could sing all kinds of music - rock, blues, country, or standards – and therefore attract a mainstream audience.
Each episode more or less sticks to a basic format. They begin and end with Jones belting out a song or two. In between are comedy bits, production numbers, and performances by a guest musician, with Jones frequently dueting on a song or two.
Jones might not be the most authentic rock star; you don't look to him for introspection or musical innovation. But he does have a clear and powerful voice that works well with the arrangements supplied by the big rock orchestra that was in vogue in the wake of Elvis Presley's 1968 comeback special, a clear model for This Is Tom Jones.
Although the shows feature musicians as diverse as Janis Joplin, Burt Bacharach, and The Who, it's when singing with the legends of rhythm and blues like Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder, that Jones shines. Jones has never been shy about his love of R&B. He is clearly in awe of his heroes, and he rises to each occasion.
Article comments
1 - mmd4tj
Great article. It is obvious the writer, Dave Lifton, knows what he writes about, knowledgeable about his subject matter. Keep up the good work, and thanks for giving Sir Tom Jones a credible review!!
2 - Tom Jones
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3 - Evan
Tom Jones you suck
4 - Evan
Tom Jones cant sing
5 - Evan
and the only way to get Tom Jones off my mind is to stop listening to Engelbert Humperdinck
6 - Evan
well i stopped listening to Engelbert Humperdinck and i still cant get that ignorant Tom Jones off my mind
7 - Evan
i dont like Tom Jones i will not listen to Tom Jones i will not talk about Tom Jones i will not laugh about Tom Jones and i will not focus on Tom Jones
8 - Evan
and i will not go around joking about that wrecthed Tom Jones
9 - Evan
and now i want to stop focusing on music and i want to focus on things that do not involve music
10 - Evan
i dont like Tom Jones instead im listening to the Carpenters
11 - Evan
thats right im turning down Tom Jones for the Carpenters
12 - Evan
im not gonna think about Engelbert Humperdinck Tom Jones or Wayne Newton