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.
Dallas Review: “Tom Jones Can Still Bring The Sexy…”
Tuesday, February 19th, 2008February 20: The Late Night At the Club story was in a local column in The Dallas Morning News. It’s written by Alan Peppard, who never mentions what the meal was.
February 21: Forgot to add yesterday: There was also a note in Peppard’s column about the fact people claimed to hear Tom singing when he was in the loo. There was much speculation on some fan websites about what he was singing. One fan — who we believe deserves a prize for cutting through the nonsense that was posted — neatly put an end to speculation by telling us last night that he must have been singing With These Hands. Can’t think of a better answer, can you?
Late night at the Club
It’s been more than 30 years since Tom Jones used to hang out in Vegas with Elvis Presley, but at 67, he still keeps Vegas hours.
Last weekend, the singer arrived at the Club in the Centrum just after 11 p.m. and sidled up to the bar for some Dom Perignon with some companions.
Once the entertainer was seated in the dining room, chef Vincenzo Indelicato and managing director Enam Chowdhury prepared a special meal to accommodate the Welsh singer’s well-known love of British food.
Apparently, Tom liked it.
When he left the Club (after 3 a.m.), he asked that Enam personally deliver another meal to him the next night at the Meyerson Symphony Center, where he was playing to a sold-out house.
Tom Jones jokes, gyrates his way into hearts at the Meyerson
12:00 AM CST on Tuesday, February 19, 2008/By JOY TIPPING /The Dallas Morning News
Did you notice that cloud of steam rising from downtown Monday evening? That would have been the heat wave stirred up by Tom Jones, who proved once and for all at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center that “bringing sexy back” is for the youngsters: He never lost it, thanks very much.
Tom Jones can still bring the sexy during his shows.
The pants might not be quite as tight as they were during his ’60s and ’70s heyday – Mr. Jones spent most of the evening demurely clad in a simple black suit, with just a hint of a sparkly shirt and silver chains peeking out. And a mere two pairs of ladies’ … erm, undergarments … were tossed onto the stage.
But Mr. Jones’ blistering Welsh baritone is still strong, and when he brought the suggestive moves late in the concert, the sold-out audience of nearly 2,100 came to its feet and matched him hip-swivel for hip-swivel.
His ultrasultry version of You Can Leave Your Hat On – yeah, I know it’s hard to do that song and not sound sexy, but trust me, he took it to a new level – which he recorded for the movie The Full Monty, brought wails and sighs from the women in the audience.
There’s a line in Chicago that pretty much sums up the feeling Monday, when Roxy says, “I love the audience, and they love me, and I love them for lovin’ me, and we all looooove each other.” Love was definitely in the Meyerson house.
Humor, too: At 67, Mr. Jones is smart enough to take himself lightly, and it showed in every impish grin and gesture. When he sang What’s New Pussycat? his expressions let on that he knows quite well how silly the song is, but he had fun with it anyway, and hence, so did we.
Fun was the order of the night, really, starting with the psychedelic light show during the opening Raise Your Hand, and continuing with the dare-you-not-to-chair-dance Help Yourself. A little later, during Delilah, daisy lights moved up and down the Meyerson walls, giving it a groovy hippie vibe that was a bit like the set from Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.
Mr. Jones turned serious, and a little bit country, for a mournful, wrenching rendition of George Jones’ He Stopped Loving Her Today and his slow, bluesy take on Frank Sinatra’s Here’s That Rainy Day actually showed off his voice better than the upbeat pop numbers for which he’s best known.
He didn’t disappoint with those, either: Grandma’s Hands, The Green, Green Grass of Home and, of course, She’s a Lady and It’s Not Unusual, all got their due.
When he whipped off his jacket at the beginning of You Can Leave Your Hat On, the women screamed; finally, some clothes were coming off. But, this being the Meyerson and all, that was the extent of Mr. Jones’ immodesty (except for one extremely brief flash of tummy).
It’s not about the clothes, after all; it’s about the attitude. Tom Jones brings that in abundance.
AP file photo/2007/Concert For Diana
February 19th, 2008 at 10:55 am
That was an awesome review. Now I can’t wait to see in live again!
February 19th, 2008 at 11:04 am
I first saw Tom on TV in the mid 60′s and commented that he would be around for a long time. Well……I am surprised I’m still here. Tom was fantastic last night in Dallas. His voice is still just as strong and pure as ever. I had the incredible chance to spend some time with him before a performance in Atlanta a year or two ago, and everyone should know that he is a total professional and gentleman. He was kind and considerate and laughed when I told him that all I could say about meeting him was, “I think I better dance now.”
February 19th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Excellent review! I want to see him again more than ever now!
February 19th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Loved the review, sold out as usual! C’ant wait for Florida and A.C. I’ts been over a year and I promised myself I would go to 4 venues this year and make up for lost time and baby, you are definitely worth the wait.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
My wife got me front row tickets (oh yeah, she’s a lady!) for the Dallas concert for my birthday and the Dallas Morning News review is right on! (except that there were closer to 15 pairs of panties thrown on stage…) We’ve been to several concerts and I know ALL of the suggestive lyrics and most of his sexy dance moves. His charming persona, musical talent, and chest hair have made him the indisputable sex icon that he is — he’s a Sex Bomb! (FYI: I don’t want to DO him, I want to BE him!) It WAS unusual to see him in a symphony hall, but it was a phenomenal and personable show and we can’t wait to see him in concert again soon. He even signed my Green, Green Grass album afterwards
February 19th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Finally a good review. I’d still like to read one without any mention of undergarments. Not my favorite photo. It looks like the blue suit at the Diana concert. But again, he rocks my world whatever he wears.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Bryan: What a great post! And what honesty! We thank you and hope you continue to visit this site and to post.
February 20th, 2008 at 3:30 am
Another great review. Wish they wouldn’t keep on about the undergarments though, it cheapens his act. Roll on when he comes to Britain. It’s been far too long, boyo!
February 20th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I WAS THERE!!! The review was right on. But there were a few things not mentioned. The strobe lights were too intense & a bit much for the Meyerson. Tom Jones has the talent, he does not have to hide behind special effects. There were times we could not see him for the lights. Several people had to leave early because lights were making them sick. Maybe Bryan could not see this from his front row seat. The band was fabulous but way too loud & Tom had to strain to be heard above the music. We wouldn’t want him to damage that glorious voice. I have seen him at the Meyerson before & these problems were not present. All in all it was a wonderful evening & the people of Dallas definitely love Tom Jones.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Sandy: Thanks for your post. We’ve occasionally heard that comment about the band before but really believe that it depends where you are sitting. Even in the most acoustically advanced venues there can be uneven sound and that’s probably what happened in this case. As for the lights, they are called “audience blinders” for a reason.
February 20th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Bryan, forgot to mention that my tickets were for my birthday also. Don’t we have great spouses!!!
Don’t think I’m wrong about the sound however. We have seen him in different venues, including the Meyerson, over the past few years & have never encountered this before. We were sitting in mid-orchestra. But I would say the lights bothered us more than anything & I hope they don’t use them again. We are there to hear & see Tom Jones, not a light show.
February 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Bryan,
I enjoyed your comment. It reminds me of what some people say about James Bond: Women WANT him, men want to BE him (just like Tom)!!
February 20th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Saw the concert in Dallas at the Meyerson. Yes, the lights were a bit much. The major glitch, however, was the sound quality. I could not understand the words to the opening introduction and turned to my companion and said “I hope that’s not the microphone Tom Jones will be using.” It was. We were sitting along the side of the hall and had we not recognized the melodies of the songs, we would never have known what the words were. I felt that he was singing in an empty warehouse rather than a symphony hall. It was just that bad. Afterward, a number of patrons exiting the hall were also complaining about the poor sound. Some, apparently, thought it improved through the evening. Sorry we weren’t sitting where they were. That said, the ballads, minus the horns, seemed to be somewhat better sound-wise. Had there been an intermission, I would have used the time to request a refund of my $90 ticket. There is simply no excuse for this quality of “uneven sound.”
February 20th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
AM: The lighting design comes with the artist. The sound quality is in the purview of the hall. You should take it up with the Meyerson.
February 20th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
My husband and I were sitting second row center on the left aisle. The tickets were a special gift to me and, as we have never seen Tom live before, my husband was worried that the show wouldn’t live up to my expectations. Turns out his worries were unfounded — we thought Tom looked and performed great, and we even commented to each other that his voice sounded very strong. I wasn’t bothered by the lights or the acoustics at all, so perhaps it did have something to do with where you were seated.
Also, I would say to AM that I agree with those who said the sound improved later in the evening. We thought it had to do with Tom getting more pumped with each song. Is that really water he has on his table, or some magic potion?
February 20th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Well, I have to say I agree with all said thus far. The lighting was a bit much, and the sound was definitely a huge disappointment. I was on the 8th row in the center and couldn’t hear the lyrics. As said earlier, if it wasn’t for the melody I would have to struggle with the songs. I too am considering requesting a refund especially now that I know the sound is the responsibility of the venue.
All that said, I did enjoy the concert simply because I saw a legend live and up close. Tom has a strong voice that deserves the best sound engineers available. I only hope to see him again in a different hall so I can enjoy what he wants his fans to hear. I will see him again soon I hope. He is an incredibly energetic entertainer and a talent to be appreciated no matter how bad the sound quality is.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Thank you all for confirming what I previously said. Having seen Tom several times in the last few years I can tell you this is not the norm. Though I feel that the MGM Grand is the best place to see him up close & personal. The lighting is what I am concerned about as my husband has had Ménière syndrome (inner ear disorder) for many years and he suffered an attack during the concert. He hasn’t had an attack in years & it can be brought on by flashing bright lights. When lights of this type are used at a concert I believe a warning is supposed to be posted especially for epileptics. Since this is the responsibility of the artist, moderator, can you please tell me where to contact them.
February 21st, 2008 at 12:39 am
Sandy: Contact information for Tom’s management can be found by clicking the “contact” link at the bottom of the homepage on tomjones.com. But we’d also suggest that you contact the venue so they, too, can prevent such a situation from happening again. The lighting design for Tom’s show (redone a couple of years ago) does employ a few bright lights, but nothing like the lighting design you describe here. We’ve seen this show a multitude of times and, from what you say, something is odd and it could well be with this particular venue. If you find out, please let us know.
February 21st, 2008 at 10:04 am
Thanks, Will do & let you know.
February 21st, 2008 at 7:49 pm
As suggested, I wrote to the general manager of the Meyerson Symphony Center concerning the inferior sound quality at the recent Tom Jones concert. As a regular patron of the center, I had never before experienced the poor sound which was present during this performance. Here is his gracious reply:
“I regret that you had a poor experience at the Meyerson, and agree that patrons attending events at the Meyerson should expect a first-class production. I will investigate the situation with the audio for the Tom Jones concert, with the intent of finding ways that we can improve our performance. I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns, as the only way we can improve is when we know the areas that need our attention. Often time we are working with visiting audio engineers and stage craft personnel, as was the case with Tom Jones’ performance, and we do our best to share the knowledge of the room that we have gained through experience with varied programming in the McDermott Concert Hall. I hope you will come back for future performances at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, and continue to share your experiences with us.
“Please call me any time you have questions or want to make additional comments regarding the Meyerson.”
Thanks,
Les Studdard
General Manager
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
City of Dallas – Office of Cultural Affairs