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.
Some News and A Review of Tom In Vegas August 11
Saturday, August 12th, 2006First, it was great to see Tom back in his Hollywood Theater home. He looks great and sounds terrific. After his illness in Atlantic City, it seems as if he’s taking extra care of his voice — drinking lots of water and using lots of lozenges.
Now, for the news: Word around the MGM Grand is that there’s lots of rehearsing going on during the day in preparation perhaps for new material to be unveiled toward the end of the month in France or on the UK tour in October. We hear there may be some old favorites brought back and, even, a chance of a change of stage outfit during the show.
Also in the works, we hear, is new merchandise. There’s still no TJ CDs or merch for sale and hasn’t been for months and months.
Can’t wait to see what happens. Stay tuned.
The Review: The Atlantic City addition of With These Hands with an updated arrangement is now a permanent part of the show replacing Who Will The Next Fool Be? Otherwise, the show is the same as it’s been and tonight there was no interaction with the audience, but we’ve got to say that it was so wonderful to see Tom again that the content of the show didn’t matter much.
The New Policy: We had a problem with a ticket return as the box office people said there is a hotel policy prohibiting any returns the night of the show. As this was contrary to usual and customary practice as we’ve come to know it at the MGM, we objected, tried to reason, spoke to the supervisor on duty — all to no avail.
This happened on August 11, a Friday. On Tuesday August 15 we had a long conversation with the hotel’s box office manager and the issue is being resolved. We will let you know the exact policy when we hear about it.
Meanwhile, we sold the extra ticket for the August 11 performance to Ken, from Orlando, a TJ virgin who’s “always been a fan” and was near the theater because he was “considering seeing the show.” We convinced him and he had a grand time. When we told him we’d post a review and write about him, we asked for a comment.
He said, “Every man should see Tom Jones because he’ll learn a lot about women when he does.”
—Ellen
August 13th, 2006 at 7:57 am
I saw him last night (Saturday) and he was as fabulous as ever! Looked and sounded great! A woman in the front row stood up and wanted to wipe his brow with a scarf that she had so he complied. He knelt down in front of her and let her dab his face. Then she proceded to dab his chest and there was some comical dialog about her “taking it easy on him,” etc. which, of course, got a great response from the audience. Then he gave her a kiss! I know every woman in the place wished she were in her shoes at that moment!
August 13th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Ellen and Ursula, thanks for the review and tidbits of info!
It’s so good to hear that Tom has taken good care of himself and is back in the swing of things. It will be interesting to see what new (or old) material they will include in upcoming shows and an outfit change? Maybe he is reading this site and is getting the hints …
Lori, thanks for you input as well. Yes, I sure wish I could have been that woman! I’ll hope and dream for December!
And, Ken, if you’re out there…your comment was wonderful and right on the spot! Now, if I could only get my husband to read it
August 14th, 2006 at 9:09 am
Thanks ladies. Its good to hear TJ will still interact with his fans.
August 15th, 2006 at 6:21 am
I took my husband to see TJ on Aug. 14 at the MGM. He went with, as he put it, “low expectations.” It was great to see him watch the show. He totally gets it now!!! He said the man is amazing and he’s never heard anyone sing the way TJ can sing. TJ was in great form that night. He looks great. The encore, High Heel Sneakers, had the audience rocking. What a great show from the best performer in the universe. I was lucky, I was sitting right in front of the stage. (I think TJ winked at me.) Can’t wait for January when my sister and I go together. We plan on seeing him three nights in a row. Woohoo!! (PS If you’re reading this TJ, please put Who Will the Next Fool Be back into the show.)
—Dianne
August 15th, 2006 at 9:07 am
I agree with Dianne on putting Who Will the Next Fool Be back into the show but I also LOVE what he replaced it with: With These Hands and wouldn’t want him to take that out. He sings it with such passion. So instead of exchanging songs, lets just add them. I know TJ has the strength to do that.
I could listen to him sing all night long! Going to see him, again, tonight. Counting the hours…
August 15th, 2006 at 11:39 am
Ooohh! Tommy’s back and he’s HOT! So exciting to read the show reviews. Have fun Lori! Be sure to send Ellen a review ; ))
Fay
August 15th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
We hear there may be some old favorites brought back and, even, a chance of a change of stage outfit during the show. Also in the works, we hear, is new merchandise.
Oh! I hope it’s true – yowza! We’re way overdue for a change. Literally.
August 16th, 2006 at 10:47 am
Lori R. Thanks for your comments on August 11th show. I was that woman and Tom is just wonderful.I have been seeing him for 35 years and he gets better with age. Every show is just like a new one for me. I could listen to him day and night. Just stayed for three shows, wish it could have been fourteen. Love the web site, read it all the time. Ellen & Ursula, THANK YOU.
August 16th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
Review of Tom’s August 15th show…This was my 6th show that I’ve seen over the past year and just when you think it can’t get any better, it does. I’ve got to say this was the BEST show I’ve seen! When Tom came out onto the stage, he was CLEARLY in a great mood. Looked like he was smiling about an inside joke, all night. He was REALLY having fun! He had the most engery that I’ve ever seen him have and as he danced, his feet appeared to glide on a cushion of air above the floor! His voice was a strong as ever. The audience was really into it also, which always makes for a great show. When he was singing Delilah, he stopped singing for a moment (on purpose) only to hear the entire audience singing along! He motioned for us to continue singing “as you all know the words”. Then during the part where Delilah “stood there laughing”, there is a break in the singing and the whole audience did the “ha, ha, ha” part. TJ laughed. It was great! Lots of folks were dancing in the aisles as usual. And like Dianne said, the house was rocking when he sang “High Heeled Sneakers” and he was SO light on his feet. I think he can go for another 20 years!
Martha C., thanks for sharing with us. How else, better, could anyone spend the last 35 years!
Looking forward to December…
August 17th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
I’d like to add, it’s been my observation that the management team does listen. I believe it was last year that some folks were asking for playdates down in Florida from the official site forum (www.tomjones.com) and voila, tons of Florida dates coming up next year. Other folks have asked that new material be added to the set list and wardrobe be changed and our wonderful site administrator extradornaires have relayed wonderful gossip on that possiblility! I think things just take time to implement. Just my opinion.
BTW, has anyone checked out Herman Matthews website (the drummer). You can access it through this site’s “Where’s Tom and When’s He There?”. He’s got a journal going that’s fun to read. He talks a little about life on the road and what’s going on in his life. Check it out. He’s also got a site on “MySpace.com”
August 17th, 2006 at 5:02 pm
Dana, all:
Herman is just terrific. He’s friendly, responsive, honest and, best of all, looks just great.We’re so happy he’s back. Herman is a treasure, as is the rest of the band and the backup singers. They individually and as a group measure up in every way to Tom’s abilities and we’re all richer for that.