Tom Jones International

Jeremy sent this review of Thursday night’s show — along with the photos — and it’s really interesting, as the perspective is different. I really thank him so much on behalf of all the visitors to TJI.com. Terrific review!

I am used to traveling hours, not minutes, to see Tom. When I found out that he would be at Table Mountain Casino, which is 20 minutes from my house, I was thrilled. Tickets went on sale last month and I decided that rather than try to get a couple of seats up close (this was going to be my 10th Tom show, with most of those in the front), I was going to get a dozen tickets so that as many of my friends as possible could see him. I wondered whether I should wait in line in person, or whether I could just take care of it online. Good thing I decided to go in person!

After waiting in line for about three hours, the tickets went on sale at 11:00 AM – the online demand immediately sent the computer system crashing down. The casino looked a little panicked and a spokesman came out to tell us that they were working on the problem, but couldn’t tell us how long it would be – we ended up waiting an extra hour before I got my 12 tickets in Row S – and I was one of the first ones in line!

Tickets never were available online as those in line snapped up all of the tickets before the online system was working again. The demand for this show was crazy and scalpers in this area were asking $1,000 a ticket.

Showtime arrived and I had people with me with ages ranging from 30′s to 60′s…a nice cross section for opinions. A very funny comedian opened the show and then it was time for The Voice. Tom came onstage in his black sparkle shirt and looked healthy and fit. The sound system wasn’t as powerful as what I have experienced at the the MGM and House of Blues in Anaheim (my last two shows), but then again, I wasn’t as close.


As for the set list, it was about as expected. I think that the only surprise for me was that Give a Little Love was not in the set list. Sugar Daddy and Never are my two favorites from 24 Hours and as expected, they were not on the set list either…but, my close third In Style & Rhythm was the second song of the night. I am so glad that before the album came out, he did Sugar Daddy in Vegas when I was there and the pumping version of Never that he did at the House of Blues in Anaheim was one of the best Tom performances I have ever been lucky enough to witness.

I will take this opportunity to add my standard: I wish Tom would bring in a couple of other songs into the “seven standard oldies” part of the show. He has so many great older songs that never see the light of day and this part of the show hasn’t had regular variation in years. However, with that being said, Tom has this show laid out very well. He starts with two fun new ones, hits ‘em with two oldies in the first five songs and the first “sexy one” right after that. Then he gets to have the middle of the show for what he wants to do. Then the last six songs end with a major bang…he doesn’t let the crowd up for air that last 20 minutes…it is perfect.

Tom got a big laugh when he talked about the earplug moniter system when he said, “Some people see these and they say…oh, poor Tommy he is going deaf…Tommy is not going deaf! A little senile maybe…these are so I can hear the band and my singing better.”

Tom didn’t hold some notes as long as I have heard in the past…even as recently as earlier this year…in the back of my mind I was wondering if he was saving it some for his big San Francisco show. Another thing of note was his moves. When he did them, they were great, but it seemed like he was picking his times a little more. Of course, the Indian casino crowds tend to be more laid back and that could be the main reason for it. When you’ve got a packed dance floor right in front of the stage, like at House of Blues, that probably inspires a little extra.

But songs like It’s Not Unusual and Kiss had all the expected moves done full out. But that stuff doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the show…that’s for sure!

It was so fun to watch the faces of the people with me (34 year old male)…especially the girls. The look on their faces on the shirt lift and songs like Git Me Some, is worth the price of admission right there! I am always a little concerned for the night that I leave saying, “The man doesn’t have it anymore.” Once again, this was not that night.

The only “problem” with seeing another show is that I will be walking around for a couple of days saying, “This is it, this is it, look what you get!”

I also heard from multiple people with me that the natural, silver hair was a good look. It may have changed the image a little bit, but according to the ladies…it hasn’t changed the sex appeal! Once again, Tom won them all over regardless of age…it was unanimous that it was a great show!