I can’t help but rehash this bit I wrote about a few years back, as I’ve spent most of today watching kickass clips of Tom Jones‘s TV show, This Is Tom Jones. GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY! I forget all about his pop hits like “Green Green Grass of Home” and “It’s Not Unusual” when I hear him cookin’ with rhythm AND blues! The man really could holler. Tho’ his albums are littered with some of the R&B tracks he sang on his show, it’s the live takes attacks that give me chills. The performances, those I’ve seen for his show, outshine his studio work and the duets. Man, they are brilliant; I dunno why he was never allowed a duets album to coincide with the show. Check him singing “Sunny” with Ella Fitzgerald AND his rock and roll medleys with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard! Oh, my soul, y’all!
The show ran for three seasons, 1969-71, with popular singers, comedians, actors, and everyone else in between making an appearance. I sooooo wish this show was on Netflix! Also of note: Mr. Jones on the Sonny & Cher Show—he and Cher (dig her hair) tear UP “Resurrection Shuffle“!