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.
Newspaper: Tom In Las Vegas Sunday Night
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010One of the best writers in this city, John Kasilometes, was at Tom’s show Sunday night. As noted below it was a great show — great fun to go with the great music. While ordinarily I’d object to all the “Tommy” stuff he has in here, in this case, at this show, he was right. Tom was having a great time and he was, quite unusually, in a room full of friends. As for the size of the audience — again — it must be noted that this is the norm in Las Vegas today. One only hopes that the economy doesn’t enter into the decision to book him here again, although it wouldn’t hurt if it were considered when pricing tickets and the price were dropped a few bucks.
At 69, frost-topped Tom Jones still dropping sex bombs
Tom Jones, a picture of dignity at age 69.
By John Katsilometes · January 25, 2010 · 4:38 PM/Las Vegas Sun
The singer is fitted stoutly in a silvery suit and untucked purple shirt. His hair seems frosted white, except that it is not. Instead, the 69-year-old singer has allowed his tightly cropped mane to retain its natural, stately shade of gray.
This is hardly a just-for-men experience.
The venerable entertainer looks a little like Snow Miser, actually. At least, he looks like Snow Miser if Snow Miser wore a goatee, and he attacks the music with the same glee as the character voiced by Dick Shawn in the Rankin/Bass classic, “The Year Without a Santa Claus.”
But there is something amiss here, for Tom Jones, and it’s in his ear. More specifically, it’s what’s not in his ear: Music. He cannot properly hear his still-rich voice and music from his solid eight-piece band. So he has yanked out the ever-present in-ear audio monitors — if that’s the technical term — so they hang from his neck like strands of cosmetic jewelry.
Tommy needs help! Chop-chop!
“One is not working at the moment,” he says, holding one of the earpieces delicately between his thumb and forefinger as he effectively pulls the e-brake on the show in its early moments.
“I gotta have two working,” he says, arching his eyebrows. “You know what I’m talkin’ about?”
The women in the audience giggle — Tommy is so ribald! There are many women in this audience. The entire front row of seats at the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre, the ones where woman can easily hit their target with a pair of knotted panties, are filled with women. One shouts, “Can I have them!?”
Jones peers out at the fan, pauses comically, and responds, “That depends. What are you planning to do with them?”
More giggling.
As operable audio equipment is retrieved, Jones tap-dances a bit, and of course he’s good at that, too. He’s like James Bond, this guy, at once disarming and carrying … a weapon. Ask your date what that weapon might be.
He’s finally presented with a replacement set of earpieces, which he grabs with a hearty, “Thank you so much.” Then he slyly says, “Let me put it in … Excuse my French.”
More giggling.
It was an off-script moment from the singing Welshman, customarily cool and confident. It’s been about 10 years since I’ve caught a Tom Jones show, and it’s difficult to recall details from that most recent show. I took my mother to that performance. I remember spending much of the night focused on her because I honestly thought she might rush the stage or, God forbid, throw something.
But on this night, a Sunday, post-AFC-and-NFC-championship evening when the theater was no more than two-thirds full, Tom Jones commanded attention. I’d had my curiosity about Jones rejuvenated over the holidays, when I was talking with members of Elvis Presley’s inner circle for a story that appeared this month in Las Vegas Weekly, commemorating the anniversary of Presley’s 75th birthday. During these interviews, Jones’ name kept surfacing as a model for Presley had Presley lived to entertain into his 60s and 70s.
You can see the similarities. Jones moves well and can still sing anything. “Momma Told Me Not to Come,” “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” and a joyful take on Prince’s “Kiss,” were songs he seamlessly slid into a set list that included the predictably crowd-pleasing “Delilah,” “What’s New Pussycat,” and “It’s Not Unusual.”
Even today, women shriek and throw their underwear at Jones, who often acknowledges the act with such deft — a sideways glance, or a smirk — it’s difficult to tell if he’s honored or bored. Probably the former. When a woman from the back of the room shouted, “Take OFF the coat!” Jones promised, “Later, it’s all coming off.” It was unclear if he meant later in the show, or later that night. Probably the latter.
Jones still is relevant to some of the biggest stars in contemporary music. Bono and The Edge of U2 wrote “Sugar Daddy,” which is on his latest release, “24 Hours.” He’s fearless in his choice of material, too. Consider a song like, “Sex Bomb,” for instance. Jones might be the only man inching toward age 70 who can sing, “Sex bomb, sex bomb, you’re a sex bomb! And baby you can turn me on!” and not seem terrifically sad. During “Kiss,” at the moment he shouts, “I think I’d better dance now!” your involuntary response is, “NO!” But Jones manages to swivel his hips and maintain a measure of ripened dignity, even amid a flurry of tossed-off Victoria’s Secret merchandise.
Near the show’s end, Jones does shed his jacket, showing a bit more hulk than, say, 35 years ago. But he’s far from out of shape, physically or in his sense of spirit. As the curtain slowly drops, he continues to call out to the audience, “See you tomorrow night! Same place, same time!”
We can only wish, Tommy. Maybe on the next visit to Vegas. Until then, keep it real. And keep it gray.
January 26th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Sorry, and I know lots of fans will disagree with me, but I think that is one of the worst reviews I have ever read, I can’t actually see where he has reviewed the show. Although I know Tom shows are always great fun I do expect the music to be reviewed properly,I actually find some of it quite insulting to Tom. I had hoped reviews like this were a thing of the past especially since Tom got some fantastic reviews on his European tour.
January 26th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Not much mention of THE VOICE. The fact that Tom brought “Thunderball” back into the set and can still hold that last note is newsworthy in itself. I’m afraid this review dealt solely with appearances. Too bad. Mr. Kasilometes should go to another show, keep his eyes closed, and just listen.
January 26th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Patricia, SusannePDX: When I noted the writer was at the show, I said, “One of my favorite local journalists was there to see the show. His story will be posted tomorrow and I’ll pass it on to you. He looked like he was having a grand time.” Today I simply wrote, “Newspaper: Tom In Las Vegas Sunday Night.”
At no point and no place did I use the words “review” and/or “critic.” I knew going in that John is a columnist. He’s not a music reviewer. He clearly had a good time and, from any guy’s point of view, I’d imagine that a man of Tom’s age who can elicit those reactions from women and can still display the talent Tom does, will draw both the awe and the comments expressed in the column. And, truthfully, he talked of Tom’s relevance in music today and expressed only admiration. Let’s be honest, if you were there at that show you’d have laughed at a great deal that went on. It was a ball! I believe his column amply demonstrated that.
I don’t know what you read, but perhaps you should reread this paragraph and you might more fully get what he is saying: “Jones still is relevant to some of the biggest stars in contemporary music. Bono and The Edge of U2 wrote Sugar Daddy, which is on his latest release, 24 Hours. He’s fearless in his choice of material, too. Consider a song like, “Sex Bomb,” for instance. Jones might be the only man inching toward age 70 who can sing, ‘Sex bomb, sex bomb, you’re a sex bomb! And baby you can turn me on!’ and not seem terrifically sad. During Kiss, at the moment he shouts, ‘I think I’d better dance now!’ your involuntary response is, ‘NO!’ But Jones manages to swivel his hips and maintain a measure of ripened dignity, even amid a flurry of tossed-off Victoria’s Secret merchandise.”
January 26th, 2010 at 10:48 am
I was just adding some constructive criticism.
I didn’t say it was a bad article and I never mind any mention of TJ’s appearance or ability to move. I was only hoping for more recognition of the talent than show (Tom can still sing ~ Wayne Newton can’t).
January 26th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Ellen,as I said, I knew lots of people would disagree with me about this article and it is of course a matter of personal opinion, but I just don’t like it, sorry.
January 26th, 2010 at 11:36 am
No problem, ladies. It’s just too bad, I think, that you didn’t get the joy at the show expressed in the article. It was not about his voice. The very fact the writer bothered to go to the show speaks for itself. It was about this man’s magical effect on his audience and about how, still today, nearing 70, he is relevant and a terrific entertainer who “can still sing anything.” Most articles about Tom are lighthearted, just as this is. And, nowhere, did the writer use the dreaded “c” word — “crooner” — and there was absolutely nothing disparaging. It was a lot of fun there that night and the writer caught that.
January 26th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Touche’
January 26th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
I was vaguely amused by the references to ‘Tommy’ because that’s what we locals all called Tom in the old days in Pontypridd. We knew him as either Tommy Woodward or Tommy Scott (his then stage name). So to people like me who knew him before he was famous, he will always be fodnly remembered as Tommy.
January 26th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Thanks for posting this. I really needed the laugh and happy thoughts today.
He is indeed a great writer I felt like I was there!
January 26th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Whether you like the article or not (and I think it’s pretty average) he couldn’t have found a worse photo….(unless he dug out that initial UK tour poster!!).
Hi Donna …very impressed you knew Tom pre ’65. I’ve been a fan since ‘It’s Not Unusual’ and the real ignition of ‘ATOMIC’….are you still living in Ponty???
January 26th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
He seemed to get the essence of the show and thank god he did’nt say crooner yuk.
January 26th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
“We can only wish, Tommy. Maybe on the next visit to Vegas. Until then, keep it real. And keep it gray.”
For the record John Katsilometes, a supposed writer, shouldn’t it read “grey” as in a colour?
January 26th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
James: You are very wrong and owe the writer an apology. Americans spell the color “grAy” and, in fact, we spell “color” without the “u.” We also put punctuation marks inside quotation marks. Read this website and you’ll see. I hope you understand and this is not a gray area for you:)
Please, people, refrain from attacking my friends. Disagreement is OK as long as it remains civil But disagreement is correct only when it’s a matter of opinion. Fact is fact.
January 26th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Maybe the writer would take the “cheeky” part of the show and it’s sexual meaning. It’s not so good…but I think he was having fun.
January 27th, 2010 at 1:58 am
I love what he wrote – and I love Sir Tom’s picture! Can’t wait to read about Wednesday nights show – would love to be there! Hopefully he will be in the Pacific NW this tour!
January 27th, 2010 at 9:01 am
I’m coming from a get-a-grip kinda attitude, but I loved the article. It was fun and clever and had I not seen a lot of TJ shows already, would entice me to travel to LV to see and hear the Man.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:53 am
I really enjoy these kind of articles. I know Sir Tom sounded great, always does; it’s the conversations and jokes he has with the audience that is the icing on the cake!
January 27th, 2010 at 10:32 am
I’m one of the fans Ellen spoke of who hasn’t seen Sir Tom in a while, and trust me when I say that, the show Sunday night was awesome, full of fun and energy. We were dancing in the aisle. Sir Tom looked great, relaxed, and sounded fantastic. What a gift he has given us, by sharing his God given talent, all these years. I am truly in awe of him. I definitely enjoyed the band; their energy and enthusiam, was obvious, and they seemed to have a lot of fun with Tom. Looking forward to a fantastic 2010 for TJ and the band, and can’t wait for their return to the US.
January 27th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Oops I forgot, Ellen it was nice finally getting to meet you, thank you for all your hard work and keeping us informed.
January 27th, 2010 at 10:55 am
Diane: Thank you and thank you, too, for visiting the site. See you again soon, I hope.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Well, I thought this article was written well,and I do remember the days when he was called Tommy.My only gripe is the underwear-again!
January 29th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Thanks for the article. I thought it was great fun. The writer seemed to have enjoyed himself and that’s what it’s all about.
Ellen it was nice to finally meet you on Tuesday. This is a great site. Thanks for all your work.
May 25th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Norman, sorry the response is so late but I haven’t lived in Pontypridd since 1965. I began my journalistic career with the Pontypridd Observer when I left school in 1961 and am proud to say I gave Tom all his early press write-ups and as such was the first person to put his name in print. I’ve not actually seen him in the flesh since 1969 but my life has arguably changed even more than his has since those pre-fame days. That’s another story, though!