Comments on: On Stage & Behind the Scenes

By: Tom Jones International » Archive » 2006 Tour Kicks Off January 19 in Las Vegas

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 08:57:30 +0000

[...] Here’s how it began: The spotlight went up on Anthony after the opening video ended with the sheep probably still hurtling through space. Anthony rallied the crowd, exhorting everyone in the room to welcome “onstage tonight — for the first time since he was knighted — SIR Tom Jones!” We beg your forgiveness for gushing like teenyboppers but, when Tom walked out, we gasped. In sheer, absolute delight. For, even though Tom’s 2006 show features the same set list we’ve gotten to know, the loose shirt with plain dark trousers is gone. In it’s place? A gorgeous dark blue silk suit with a hint of violet, a suit jacket with a deep lime green lining and a white shirt with very small ruffle running up the front. (This photo does not begin to do justice to the suit — or the man — but will have to do until a better picture comes along. Feel free to send one.) He looks great. Also new is Michael Mennell, the bass player who is replacing Les King. You can read a bit more about Michael and see his photo on our On Stage & Behind the Scenes page. (He was even kind enough to pick the winner of the tomjonesinternational.com t-shirt from our survey respondents. That will be posted soon.) The lighting, too, is new. Lots of blue that serves to showcase Tom beautifully. It’s more subtle (except for the wild effects during What’s New Pussycat) and warmer. This opening night, a January Thursday after a long holiday weekend, was a kind of quiet crowd. Or, at least, quiet in the sense that they tended to stay in their seats. But, they were an enthusiastic bunch. The first of the three thongs thrown (try saying that three times) hit the stage only near the end, during You Can Leave Your Hat On. But a well-deserved and enthusiastic standing O shook the house before and after the encore. The entire performance was, as always, just a joy to watch. And, when Tom finally took off the jacket — not during Delilah like he used to (remember?) — but for 200 Pounds, the crowd roared. While we’d love to see some new songs added he was as always the consumate showman. Each time we hear him — even though, as we’ve said before, we know the nusic and the patter — it’s a new experience. And that is Tom Jones’ genius. You never get tired watching him because his delight in, and love of, what he’s doing is contagious and that makes it always fresh. Each note is a gift to the audience and his ability to offer that is his unique gift. Ellen & Ursula [...]

By: Tom Jones International » Archive » 2006 Tour Kicks Off January 19 in Las Vegas

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 08:33:46 +0000

[...] Here’s how it began: The spotlight went up on Anthony after the video ended. He rallied the crowd, exhorting everyone in the room to welcome “onstage tonight — for the first time since he was knighted — SIR Tom Jones!” And when Tom walked out we gasped. In sheer, absolute delight. For, although Tom’s 2006 show features the same set list we’ve gotten to know, the loose shirt with plain dark trousers is gone. In it’s place? A gorgeous dark blue silk suit with a hint of violet, a suit jacket with a deep lime green lining and a white shirt with very small ruffle running up the front. (This photo does not begin to do justice to the suit — or the man — but will have to do until a better picture comes along. Feel free to send one.) He looks great. Also new is Michael Mennell, the bass player who is replacing Les King. You can read a bit more about Michael and see his photo on our On Stage & Behind the Scenes Page. [He was even kind enough to pick the winner of the tomjonesinternational.com t-shirt from our survey respondents.] The lighting, too, is new. Lots of blue that serves to showcase Tom beautifully. It’s more subtle (except for the wild effects during What’s New Pussycat) and warmer. This opening night, a January Thursday after a long holiday weekend, was a kind of quiet crowd. Or, at least, quiet in the sense that they tended to stay in their seats. But, they were an enthusiastic bunch. The first of the three thongs thrown (try saying *that three times) hit the stage only near the end, during You Can Leave Your Hat On. But a well-deserved and enthusiastic standing O shook the house before and after the encore. The entire performance was, as always, just a joy to watch. And, when Tom finally took off the jacket — not during Delilah like he used to (remember?) — but for 200 Pounds, the crowd roared. While we’d love to see some new songs added he was as always a joy to watch. Each time we hear him — while we know the nusic — it’s a new experience. And that is Tom Jones’ genius. You never get tired watching him because his joy in what he’s doing is contagious and it’s always fresh. Each note is a gift to the audience and his ability to offer that is his unique gift. Ellen & Ursula [...]

By: Tom Jones International » Archive » 2006 Tour Kicks Off January 19 in Las Vegas

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 08:29:59 +0000