Show & Venue Reviews, What's New, Pussycat?
Please share your Tom Jones shows with other fans. Setlist? Audience? Energy? What was it like being there? We’d love to hear from you.
And, while you’re telling us about the shows, please let us know what you think of the venues where Tom plays. Clubs, theaters, casinos — Tom Jones performs in all of them. Which venue do you think is the best? The worst?
So that other fans will know what’s in store when they buy their tickets, please tell us a little bit about the venues you know. If possible, try to use the format below so others can tell at a glance what you think. The best venue will merit ****. More than one review of a venue is welcome.
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, April 27 Through May 10
Sunday, April 30th, 2006We’ll start the ball rolling with review of the shows we see and hope that all of you who saw one (or more) of these 14 shows will share your experience.
Be sure to check the “comments” for additional reviews of this Vegas stand.
— Ellen & Ursula
Several people had been to another show this week, in addition to the Saturday night show. All reported a terrific show from Tom with little interaction between him and the audience.But, how was the most important thing? The performance? Just grand.
Tom was clearly in a good mood, bounding onstage after Tony introduced him with (something like) “Ladies and Gentlemen, three short words — Sir! Tom! Jones!”
The audience roared at his entrance and didn’t stop all night. As even this rather poor photo makes clear, they threw undergraments and a t-shirt (folded on top of the table back right in the photo) handprinted with a message in various colored Sharpees. Tom paused the proceedings to read the message on the shirt, telling to the audience, “I”m having a read. You talk among yourselves.” Members of bachelorette party wore headdresses with blinking red lights, causing Tom to comment, “What is that? Oh. For a minute I thought I was in a place where women dance on poles. But I have to do the show first.” The audience Saturday night, for what it’s worth, was like many weekend audiences: a bit too talkative and as a result there was a lot of “ssshhh”-ing going on.
Yes, Sir Tom was feeling good and so was the audience. They were feeling so good, in fact, that by You Can Leave Your Hat On there were lines of women in the aisles — at least 100 all together — just dancing with abandon to the music. It was really fun.
And, what about the music? Well, he’s dropped St. James Infirmary Blues in favor of Stoned In Love. He told the audience that this was his new single (“already in the top 10 in the UK”) and he’d like to see it get some play here but that there’s a problem with a record company.
The audience reaction during this song was interesting, as it was the first number in the show with which very few people were familiar. We thought he did it well — no tricks with his voice — but the applause wasn’t as hearty as it was for the other numbers. Since we know Tom Jones fans everywhere are very sharp — and this, unlike many audiences in Las Vegas, was filled with Tom Jones fans — that’s probably a function of the newness of both the sound and specific song.
You must know we do love Tom and his talent is, as a Canadian friend always says, “gi-normous.” But we’d love to see a new finale after all this time with High Heel Sneakers and Kiss. (And, before you write in protest, it’s not that we dislike these songs, but we can remember when the show was changed more frequently. These — both done really well — have closed the show for at least two years now. That’s all.)
We and many who looked for it again missed the merchandise. We think it’s time now — not in October for the UK tour — for a new tour book, some t-shirts — any merchandise. It disappeared last year and the only place it’s available is on the official website. [NOTE: It's not available there YET. It's "coming soon." Look on eBay's Tom Jones pages. if you're really needing TJ memorabilia.] It would be really nice if merch were again added to personal appearances.
Please don’t misunderstand. We would rather have Tom doing this show, with no merch for sale and absolutely no interaction with the audience and the same basic setlist, than no Tom at all. And those of us fortunate enough to live in or visit Las Vegas do know how lucky we are.
As a Welsh lady we know says, “We luv ya, Tommy,” and know how blessed we are that you share your gift with all of us.
April 30th, 2006 at 6:33 am
I think you ladies are absolutely right when you say the show was changed more frequently years ago. It’s not that it’s bad now, but he used to mix current songs with his hits, leaving more mystery as to what was in the show set. I guess he’s been closing with Kiss for so long since that was what put him on the map again with young audiences. Since then, he’s been on a roll.
April 30th, 2006 at 8:42 am
Thanks for the review. I’m glad to hear about the exchange of songs and that he will sing Stoned In Love as I will be seeing him on the 10th and can’t wait to hear it! Did they ever change the promo photo of him in the lobby to reflect his gorgeous looks now with his goatee? That old photo is SO “last century” and it doesn’t do him justice!
April 30th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
I saw him in Vegas in March (x 2), will be seeing him again May 9 & 10 !! Maybe he is tired coming off all the promo in the UK for Stoned in Love and a little jet-lagged?? I, too, would like to see a bit of change up in the song sets, but will take HIM anyway I can get HIM!! PURE BLISS!!! Couldn’t agree with you more, Lori, about the old photo! They sure need to update that!
April 30th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
WOW! We had the most wonderful seats in the house on Friday night. This was our fourth time to see Tom at the MGM. He was just marvelous. His voice sounded better than the last time we heard him. I do wish he would change the song sets up a bit. He was in perfect pitch as usual. My only complaint, he didn’t interact with the audience at all. There were no panties on the stage and several women tried to give him roses and cigars but he just winked a little and made no attempt to interact otherwise.
I had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful ladies, Ellen and Ursula, before the Staurday night show. You girls are terrific. I just wish could have spent a little more time to visit. I also got to meet the two “Marys” You are both so lovely. Tom has such loyal fans.
I was disappointed that there was no merchadise for sale. I am not able to get the offical website to work for me. Ellen and Ursula should show them how to set up a great site.
Well. I wore my “SEXBOMB” T-shirt and hoped he would a least give me a wink when he sang the song but no such luck.I would rather see Tom Jones sing and not interact than not be able to see him at all.
I will see Tom again the next time he is in Las Vegas. My review of Tom Jones — a ten out of ten.
May 2nd, 2006 at 10:12 am
The May 1 show can only be described in these words: “SEXY”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! “HOT”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”SIZZLING HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and very “YUMMY.”
May 2nd, 2006 at 3:14 pm
We were lucky to be at two shows at the MGM with great seats. Tom looked great, sang great and gave 110% of himself as usual. I’m glad that not many panties were thrown up on stage as I feel it takes away from his performance but I am curious to know why his interaction with the audience seems to have stopped. Lately it seems as though TJ is keeping his fans at a little distance. I hope I am wrong. We are so looking forward to seeing him in July at Resorts in Atlantic City. We can’t go to long without a TJ FIX !!!!!!!!!
May 2nd, 2006 at 3:54 pm
I agree. I do so appreciate that he entertains us and has the most amazing voice I have ever heard, I would love to see him just look down and act like he sees us. Maybe he was just tired. The next time I go to Vagas, I will wait until he has been there a few nights. Not jsut off the plane…
Just to think of his schedule is amazing. What would we be able to do? Maybe we expect too much. Oh well, I love Tom and will see him whenever I get the chance.
Outside of the fact that his is gorgeous, he is the most wonderful entertainer I have seen and I live in an area that I have the opportunity to see many entertainers. The next best would be Tina Turner. The two of them together would be incredible! Tom, you bring us joy and a few hot sweats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 2nd, 2006 at 6:55 pm
I was there this past weekend on Friday and Saturday night and found the crowd to be very into Tom and his show. I love nights like that! I agree that the show is somewhat predictable for those of us who go all of the time and the MGM pictures are terribly outdated and would love to see the new look on the posters. I have seem Tom too many times to count and have flown from Florida to Vegas most of those times — it’s well worth it!!! See you all in August!
May 2nd, 2006 at 10:25 pm
Tuesday, May 2:
The show tonight was unlike any other in this engagement. The crowd was terrifically enthusiastic but — and here’s the odd part — not one thing — undegarment, flower, extraneous item — was thrown on the stage. Tom did his show to tremendous applause but there was this distance between him and the audience and it wasn’t that he wasn’t interacting. No one in the audience was. Even the women who danced stayed respectfully on the sidelines.
We’ve been at shows (especially in casinos) where the crowd wasn’t made up of the kind of fans you might find at HOB, for example; fans who know the music very well. We’ve been at shows where the audience was quiet. But this is the first time in memory (and, no, the memory hasn’t gone yet) that an audience has been like that.
So, was it good? You bet. Sir Tom can sing and the audience absolutely loved him (as they should). He discussed the fact that he had white streaks on his shirt where he was sweating; streaks that came from the salt in his sweat (or, maybe, some Dom Perignon) — no, not elegant but, as always, honest. He was clearly enjoying himself and the audience did too and, in the end, we got in full measure what this extraordinary performer almost always gives his audience — an extraordinary performance.
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Ellen wrote: He discussed the fact that he had white streaks on his shirt where he was sweating; streaks that came from the salt in his sweat.
Diana wrote: The May 1 show can only be described in these words: “SEXY”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! “HOT”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”SIZZLING HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and very “YUMMY.”
I say: STOP IT!!! I’ve got to wait till the middle of June and you all are just killing me here!!!!
May 4th, 2006 at 10:46 am
I’ve seen TJ countless times but Sunday 4/30/06 & Monday 5/1/06 was the first time I’ve seen TJ two nights in a row. As was mentioned by others, there was markedly less interaction with the audience on both nights. We miss it! On the other hand, on both nights the audience gave TJ a standing ovation which I believe is rarer in Vegas than at other venues on his tour.
First of all, TJ always give his all. Maybe it was jet lag or a late night but on Sunday TJ didn’t have the added spark he had on Monday. The voice was there. The show was fast-paced. There was the dancing and flicking up of his shirt. At one point a group called out for TJ to take off his jacket…he looked hot. TJ’s reply was “Don’t worry it will all be off before its over.” Sunday night was the first show I’ve attended where no paties were tossed. TJ accepted a bottle of Dom P. from front row center but otherwise no intimacy with the audience.
We happened to share a front row table with two twenty-something Irish lads on holiday. They said TJ had been all over the telly back home promoting the new CD and when they got to Vegas and discovered TJ was playing, they had to come. They didn’t know what to expect but were completely taken by TJ and repeatedly called his show and new CD “brilliant!!!”
If Sunday was Tom’s usual 150 percent then Monday 5/1/06 was 300% and a special night. Unlike Sunday, TJ was introduced as SIR. Only one panties was tossed and ignored.
The program was: Tom Jones International; Momma Told Me Not To Come; Who Will The Next Foul Be; Deliah, Help Yourself (I love the faint Latin flavor); We’ve Got Tonight; She’s A Lady; If I Only Knew; Stoned In Love; Love Letters; Glory of Love; 200 Pounds (TJ really danced up a storm); End Of The Road; What Am I Living For; I’ll Never Fall In Love Again; Green Green Grass of Home; Pussycat; You Can Leave Your Hat On (the audience went wild and I screamed my head off); Sex Bomb; It’s Not Unusual; and the encore of High Heel Sneakers and Kiss.
After Stoned In Love on Sunday, TJ remarked “I think that went well.” No comments from TJ on Monday because it went great! I liked the live less techy version. There were more Brits, Aussies, and diehard fans in the audience that were familiar with the new CD. It got a good reception but you could tell it was the first time many had heard the song. TJ’s management in the UK needs to get the song released in the USA and get TJ on the American telly to promote it!
May 22nd, 2006 at 8:06 am
I treated my mother-in-law to the May 10th show at hte MGM Grand. This was the second year in a row I saw him, we were both blown away. He danced through the whole show, even the horn section got into it. It was the best. I keep reading the weekday shows aren’t responed to as well as those on weekends, not so with this Wednesday night show, the place was wild.
May 22nd, 2006 at 8:57 am
D. Shelton: It’s not that the weekday shows “aren’t responded to” as well as the weekend shows, it’s just that the audiences are different during the week from those on weekends. Mostly, we find, it’s a matter of volume — “volume” as in “noise level” and “volume” as in “amount of stuff tossed onstage.”
Is one better than the other? No. But it is really interesting to be in the audience on different nights (and at different times of the year). And, of course, we were only talking about Las Vegas audiences where Tom plays for extended periods of time.
He, however, is always just fine.
June 8th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
I surprised my mother-in-law with tickets to the May 7th show. I was not a fan of Tom Jones before the concert. But I am now. The man is an all out great preformer. My mother-in-law was so happy, it brought tears to her eyes. We are going back in August to see him. And I was able to get front row seats. I know people have said inthe past that the better seats are a few rows back. But if you have a chance to sit front row. You gotta do it at least once.