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.
1-17-08: MGM Opening Night; New Trumpet Player & On 1-18, “New” Song Added
Friday, January 18th, 2008NEWS! On Friday, January 18, after his first two songs, Tom greeted the audience and brought back George Jones’ quintessential country classic, He Stopped Loving Her Today, which he did sing awhile ago in his show. (We forgot to mention in our original review below that Tom has changed his pre-song patter before he does the standards. It is a vast improvement over what he was saying.) There was some debate among fans about the song being in this particular show, as it is really the only pure country song Tom does. End of the Road is country, but its history also puts it in the rockabilly (remember that?) group. Anyway, please let us know what you think.
We are so pleased to report that Tom Jones is back and things (and Tom) are looking good!
The last run at the MGM was kind of disheartening, as the show was of necessity rushed. But, not now. Tom looked and sounded great just as if, after not working for a month — except for New Year’s Eve — he was just rarin’ to go.
The set list was the same as it’s been, with no replacement yet for With These Hands. But the energy level onstage was, again, terrific.
Bass player Mike Mennell and trumpet player Pete Olstad have been replaced. We have a photo of the new trumpet player and will tell you about him soon. The bass position is still not filled permanently, but we’ll let you know that, too, when it happens. Both musicians (and, of course, the entire band and the singers) were fine.
We are very happy that the rushed, kind of pro forma shows were a result of the MGM scheduling Tom at 7:30 and another act at 9:30. That leaves too little time to do a full show, clean the theater and get the second audience in. Hopefully that won’t happen again.
Let us know what you think….and, of course, enjoy the show.
Stepping in for Pete Olstad is Bill Churchville. An accomplished LA-based musician, Bill is an alumnus of Tower of Power. He’s worked with a very diverse list of musicians, from Elton John, Joe Cocker, John Hiatt, Wilie Nelson, Billy Joel, Bill Cosby, the Doobie Brothers, Kid Rock, The O’Jays, Percy Sledge, Rober Goulet, WAR, Dwight Yoakum….and — well, the list goes on and on.A decorated veteran of the Armed Forces, the New Orleans native was awarded the awarded the prestigious Downbeat Magazine Outstanding College Jazz Instrumental Soloist Award while in college. He holds a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from USC, where he also taught.
You’ve heard his music in film, TV shows and commercials — and, now, with Tom.
You can read more about him and hear him play at his website.
NOTE: The new bass player will be chosen after this MGM stint. Rob McDonald, who played bass last night, was terrific. Photo here of Bill was taken January17, 2008 at the MGM Grand.
January 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Sounds like it was GREAT as always. Is the photo from last night?
January 18th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Yes, it was a good show (especially compared to the rushed shows in December). And, yes, the photo was given to our site after last night’s show. Do you like it?
January 18th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Do you know if Tom will be at the MGM any time between Sept-Dec?
January 18th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Greg: Although the schedule isn’t public yet, we’d say it’s a good bet he will be.
January 18th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
You guys are unbelievable the way you monitor this site and respond so quickly. I wish I could get my employees to be so dilegent.
January 18th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Hi.. Just bought tickets for the Knoxville, Tn show, March 9th.. Can anyone tell me Tom’s song set list for the 08 tour? Thanks.. My wife and I are so excited about seeing this show.. We have waited a long time.
January 18th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Chuck:Raise Your Hand (old song by Ike and Tina Turner) Help Yourself, Delilah, 200 Lbs. of Joy, End of the Road, Cry for Home (unreleased Van Morrison song), Medley of standards: Here’s That Rainy Day, Fly Me to the Moon, That Old Black MagicThen some blues: Grandma’s Hands and Git Me Some. Next, the ones we all know: She’s a Lady, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, Green Green Grass of Home, What’s New Pussycat, You Can Leave Your Hat On, Sexbomb, It’s Not Unusual. Encore: Resurrection Shuffle (dance remix version), I Like the Way (song by the Bodyrockers), Kiss
But the show is due to change, either later this run or next month (or, maybe, when Tom is on the road in February, in TX, OK, LA, FL, IA, etc.
So, please let us know if you hear before we do.
And, Greg, talk to us….what do you do and how can we work for you?
January 19th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Tower of Power was a great group in the 70′s if anyone remembers them, they had some hits, So Very Hard to Go, You’re Still a Young Man. They had some great horns! If Bill Churchville played with them, he’s probably great.
January 19th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Love the picture of Tom I see he is wearing the white gold jewelery once more
January 19th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Thanks for the great report…. thats why I love this site you keep us very up-to-date! Tom’s new trumpet player sounds great too!Any more news about the ’08 schedule?
January 19th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Pam: TOP is still going strong. They tour a lot — were here in Las Vegas last week — and in 2005 Tom toured with them.
January 19th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Nice job ladies getting back to us on things. How do you know the set list is due to change? Is it because of the new album or because someone in Tom’s crew is listening to all of our wishes that things get changed up?
January 19th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Well, Vince, it’s just that time of year….and if it doesn’t change soon, it certainly will when the new CD is released.
January 19th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Is Tom wearing anything new onstage, clothing ,jewelery etc.?
January 19th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
what’s the new pre-song patter like before the standards?
January 19th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Ed and Vince: Yes, he’s been wearing different shoes — shiny black wingtips (we think), but definitely leather.As for his patter, he talks about his TV show, the fact he did sll kinds of music and then introduces the standards.
January 20th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Thanks, I had heard they [Tower of Power] were still together, but I knew Lenny Williams who was with them in the 70′s was not. I didn’t know Tom toured with them though.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:34 am
Dwight’s name is spelled YOAKAM ; )) I really wish I could see TJ and the band at the end of January, but alas, I am unable to go to Vegas ; ((
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Well, Fay, we were just going to refer to him as “DW,” but realized you’d probably be the only one who knew who that was. As for the misspelling, we’re sorry. And we even have him on the iPod in a video with Tom.