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.
Finally! That Opening Night Review — Tom Jones At the MGM Grand
Saturday, January 17th, 2009
With a new opening — sound bites and bits from 24 Hours — Tom bounded on stage Thursday night to a terrific reception.
At our table of fans who closely follow his career there was a gasp when Tom came out….the first thought was that it was the light but, no, it was Tom himself glorious with gray hair. It was difficult to get used to, but nonetheless lovely. Dressed in a black tux with an orangy-red lining, he got right down to business with I’m Alive. (The full set list is at the bottom of this post.)
After the show, that fabulous super-fan from Florida, BeBe, said, “It was a shock to see him at first, but he looked great.”
As has been noted here many times, the first show in January (or any show following a long vacation for Tom) is the best show of the year in so many ways. Coming off a few weeks of not performing, Sir Tom is always eager to be back and in top form.
Aside from the new opening, of note in the show were a few problems with new lighting, a new opening for Delilah due to an electronic glitch and, when the band began to play If He Should Ever Leave You, Tom began to sing The Road,
The music stopped, a small conversation between Tom and his ace MD Brian Monroney ensued: “What is this? I thought it was The Road.”
“No, it’s this song, but if you want to do The Road now, we can.”
“That’s all right. We’ll do this one.”
Then, turning to the audience, Tom said, “We got in late today. They rehearsed. I didn’t.”
And the show went on.
It was a terrific night. As BeBe said, “I’ve never seen a show like this before. He was wonderful and cute.”
The crowd, as are crowds all over Las Vegas these days, was sparse. It’s a bad time in this city that symbolizes plenty and excess to many people. Shows and restaurants and businesses are closing. Some casino companies are on the verge of bankruptcy. So the fact that there were fewer than 500 people at a show in a room that seats more than 700 is not bad at all.
In the crowd, by the way, was singer Clint Holmes. He was with 25 people and thoroughly enjoyed the show.
The set list was: I’m Alive, In Style and Rhythm, Help Yourself, Seasons, Delilah, 200 Pounds, End of the Road, If He should Ever Leave You, The Road, Here’s That Rainy Day, Fly Me To the Moon, Ol’ Black Magic, Grandma’s Hands, Git Me Some, 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, Sex Bomb, It’s Not Unusual and, for the encore, Give A Little Love and Kiss.
If you see Tom in Las Vegas, please share your experience with other fans.
Because of the intense interest — the original posting of the photo brought more comments than everything except one other post on this site — the photo at left was reposted from below. Again, thanks to the fan who sent it. At right is the cover of Neon, where Mike Weatherford’s article (just below) appeared Friday.
January 17th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Thanks for the review – it sounded like it would have been a lot of fun
I am sure seeing Tom in person with his “au naturel” hair makes a big
difference. I am one who likes it
January 17th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Thank you, once again, Ellen for keeping us up to date in the world of Tom Jones. I must admit I was taken aback at first by the white hair however I always felt the dark black hair was a bit much. Maybe someplace in between would be nice. For the longtime fans I don’t think it matters much but if he is trying to attract younger ones it might. The voice & the charisma are what matters & according to your review they are still there in top form. Thanks again. Sandy S.
January 17th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Thanks for posting about the opening in Vegas.Tom looks great with his natural hair and beard color. I for one don’t care what color it is, the voice and his special way with his audience is what really matters. I have to agree with what you said about the opening show after he has been off the stage for a few weeks. I was lucky to be at the opening in AC when he had been off doing interviews for a while. He bounded onto the stage and you could just tell that he was really up all night. That show was fantastic!!!!
January 17th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Love the “natural” look. He should be proud of his age and the longevity of his career. His voice is still the greatest. I’ll be at his show three times in March. Can’t wait to see him and hear the new songs in the show!
January 17th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I see he took out “Seasons”. Wonder if he’ll change it up again. “Give a little love” I rather “Feels like music” but hey gotta love it. Sounds like a great show and fun. Nice to heae there is another new intro again. Thank TJI
January 17th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
No more red jacket???
January 17th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
The shows sounds great. Can’t wait for next week! I’m really looking forward to hearing Sir Tom sing The Road and Seasons. Yippee!
January 18th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Thanks for the great review.
January 18th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Sounds like a great show! I think it’s fab that they played as enthusiastically to a smaller crowd, as they would have to a packed house. Hard economic times are here for a while, but they will turn around. They always do. Thanks for the show review.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Anna: Check the list again. Seasons is still in and still beautiful.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:39 am
OMG my bad
)))) Im so happy. Just love that song.
January 18th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I agree with Sandy about his hair being somewhere in the middle. I love the cut. I hope he does do Atlantic City. I missed him the last time he was there. I won’t miss him again!!
January 18th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I think a man with gorgeous silver hair is absolutely stunning. (My husband of ten years is in his 60′s and I’m in my 30′s.) I think that Mr. Jones looks amazing with his natural hair color but if he chooses to go back to the dark color I’m good with that, too! He’s such a talent that he could have purple hair and I’d still listen, tap my toe and hum along.
January 19th, 2009 at 12:13 am
The show sounds really great with all the wonderful new songs from 24 hours.Is he still doing ‘Whats New Pussycat’?
January 19th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Thanks for the great review Ellen. I just love Tom’s new look!!! I do have to say that I think we are all “Fabulous Super Fans” not just one fan. Again Great Review.
January 19th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Ellen I just heard Tom will be appearing at the Terminal 5 in New York, New York for one night. More information is on the Official Tom Jones Web Site. Just thought I would mention it for you guys.
January 20th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I can’t wait until Sunday to see the New Tom…he looks gorgeous!
January 21st, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Please, it does not look like Tom Jones, I know his voice is fantastic and he is a fantastic entertainer but I still think he needs to keep up his appearance, he looks like he let himself go. I hope all is well with him.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Heather: Tom looks great, looks slender and in good shape. He is not letting himself go and appears in robust health. Give the look a chance.
December 11th, 2009 at 12:05 am
[...] The photo here was taken at the MGM Grand on January 15, 2009, the first night Tom appeared with his hair, as he described it, “au natural.” The post about that night is here. [...]