Tony Sachs on Tom Jones

"After several leads proved fruitless, I was finally able to schedule an interview through his British publicist, with two caveats: I had 20 minutes to do my job; and I had to spend at least part of the interview asking Mr. Jones about his latest album and tour. The album, 24 Hours, is his first to come out in America in 15 years. … We spent the first part of the interview discussing his recent gig at the opening party for Mardan Palace, the ultra-opulent Turkish resort. … Then on to the new album, almost all of which he co-wrote — quite a feat for a guy who's rarely penned his own tunes. 'I've written songs before, but not so many. I mean, I co-wrote them with songwriters — I'd be there, and I'd give them ideas, for what kind of thing I wanted, and then they'd put it together. And then I'd alter things. So I worked with some really good songwriters.' When you've achieved Tom Jones' station in life, I guess that's how you do things -- call up the experts, tell 'em what you want, and give the results the thumbs-up or down. An important lesson for all us Sir Tom wannabes" ("My Exclusive Interview with Sir Tom Jones, in Which I Fail to Learn How to Be More Like Tom Jones," Huffington Post, 7/18/09).