Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Tom Jones

"What’s the name of the song?" the doctor asks.

"The Green, Green Grass of Home," he answers.

"Oh," the doctor said. "You’ve got the ‘Tom Jones’ syndrome."

"Is it very common?" the man asks.

The doctor replied, "It’s not ‘Unusual."

I love Tom Jones.  He is as good today as he was thirty years ago when he was young and slim and at his peak in popularity.  I attended one of his concerts during the era when fanatic females created a frenzy by throwing their underwear on the stage as he sang.

I was seated about two rows from the stage when a couple of women in front of me got into a knock-down drag-out fight with one another.  Apparently one of them elbowed her way past the other to throw her unmentionables on the stage and fists started flying.  This is the passion that followed Tom’s performances everywhere he went.  It is said that he didn’t like it at all, but had no way of quelling his rabid fans.

I was elated the last night of American Idol when he and his songs were featured.  He still had/has the magic.  A little heavier in build, perhaps, but his powerful Welsh voice has lost none of its punch.

His list of hits has remained popular throughout the years.  From ballads to pop to the blues, he is not limited by any genre…"What’s New Pussycat, Delilah, It’s Not Unusual, Green, Green, Grass of Home" and many other favorites.

His appearance on American Idol made it the best night of the season.  He proved his staying power that night. 
And Idol winner Scotty McCreery did him proud when he sang some of Tom ‘s signature songs. (This kid’s gonna make it big.)

Tom did us oldsters a favor by proving that words, lyrics, and a true singing voice were still important. No frills, no jumping madly around, no flames in the background, and no screeching high notes.  Just pure vintage Tom Jones.