The King and the Voice met on a film set in 1960s and became mutual admirers. Now the Welsh singer pays tribute to his friend with a song from his latest album, Long Lost Suitcase.
At the height of Tom Jones’s notoriety, besieged by knickers at every turn, the Welsh star was flanked either side by two of music’s most famous figures. “Frank Sinatra thought I should sing standards. ‘That’s what I want to hear from you,’” Jones told the Gujardian recently, “Meanwhile, I had Elvis saying, “Don’t go there. Not standards. Leave that to Sinatra.” I was in the middle. I tried not to be too dizzied by it all.”
It is his friendship with Elvis, whom he met in 1965 when the King was filming Paradise, Hawaiian Style, that he celebrates on his latest album. It is a companion album to Jones’s autobiography, Over the Top and Back.
Tom still has it!~ and It's NOT Unusual!~
This is so much more enjoyable than the shi, uh stuff, that is released by Sony Legacy containing Elvis' voice... Oh, wait, this is enjoyable.
It is great to observe that Tom Jones is still appreciatingly talking about Elvis. That shows he is truly an artist. All is a matter of taste, Lex. Honestly, this clip is not one of my favourites and for that matter Tom Jones is a singer I hardly ever listen to. I don't even own a cd. We all have our own preferences.
great version of this Gillian Welch song. On the cd this song is followed by the song : He was a friend of mine". Not a coincidence I guess. :-)
I find 'Elvis Presley Blues' to be somewhat contrived like some of the Elvis 1960's film rock and roll attempts but the follow up song here 'Tower Of Song' is something else. It suits the rich voice of Tom without him resorting to the less attractive hoarse shouting on some of his records.
Of course, Natha, it is a matter of taste! And as I stated, I do enjoy TJ's latest album, but I can't enjoy Elvis' latest (If I Have a Nightmare).
I listened to the "If I can ..." samples and I agree with you that it is also not to my taste. From what I have heard Elvis' voice is very much up front on the album (the only positive thing of that release). So I don't want to compare it to TJ's album, because I am sure I love Elvis' voice much more. However I rejoice in your happiness in the TJ album ;)
I like TJ a lot and his music in general too. For me the tribute is not a great song however. The rest of the album is (also) not so good as the Gospel Album he recently did.
Tom Jones is no doubt a great singer, but I don't care much for this new tribute song. To each his/her own.
Very different, and sang from the heart. Tom really did love Elvis, that the main thing. ETA Sal Bashir
Best Elvis tribute song ever !
Better than all those damned impersonator songs
My favorite Elvis tribute song is "The King Is Gone" (1977) by Ronnie McDowell.