Coup for Celtic Connections as Tom Jones signs up to perform

ORGANISERS of Glasgow's biggest musical festival have scored a major coup after unveiling details of a concert by the veteran Welsh superstar Tom Jones.

The 70-year-old will perform Praise and Blame, his acclaimed new album of gospel and blues songs, in its entirety at Celtic Connections in January.

The 2,000-capacity Glasgow Royal Concert Hall will be playing host to the singer as part of a programme of gospel concerts, which will also feature Mavis Staples and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Jones will join a festival line-up that already includes Travis frontman Fran Healy, The Waterboys, Johnny Cash's daughter Roseanne, Grant Lee Buffalo and Richard Thompson.

Donald Shaw, artistic director of Celtic Connections, said: "Tom Jones is a true musical icon and we are honoured to be able to bring him to Celtic Connections. This January, the festival will be paying tribute to the influence of the great gospel tradition, and Tom Jones' performance of his stunning gospel, roots and blues album forms part of this strand."

• Tickets for the Tom Jones concert on 17 January are on sale now.