Show & Venue Reviews
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.
TJ In Cleveland/Part II/A Review
Wednesday, November 30th, 2005This is from Free Times, an alternative arts newspaper. Even if we don’t agree with his review of the show or Tom’s need “to retire his stage act someday soon.” the writer makes some interesting points about the next generation. Is there anyone else out there today? In the next generation? What do you think? (And, for the record, we don’t want to think about Tom retiring.)
Tom Jones House of Blues Friday, Nov. 25
Tom Jones kicked off the second show of a three-night House of Blues stand singing Tom Jones International, a newer, techno-funk ditty about, well, himself. The chemistry of that ridiculous self-promotional song and the rest of the evening demonstrated how a 65-year-old guy gets away with acting like a rock-hipster sex symbol: do whatever you do with relentless passion, but don’t take yourself too seriously, and make the changing times adapt to you, and not vice versa. He delivered a trademark recipe consisting of his own hits (Delilah), soulful rock covers (Mama Told Me Not to Come), libidinous raps (Sexbomb) and the occasional sentimental song about mom (Green, Green Grass of Home). His fiery, tight, 11-piece backing band was polished enough to be classy but not sterile or artificial.
Women’s panties twirled like lassos above the crowd as Jones swiveled his hips and belted out tunes in a way that proved soul transcends skin color. A middle block of slow numbers dragged on a bit too long, but Jones interjected a rousing What’s New Pussycat? to revitalize the final stretch. His under-90-minute set concluded with a thundering Kiss, using a nearly identical arrangement to his recorded version of the Prince tune, complete with Art of Noise song fragments.
While he still pulled off his “sex bomb” shtick impossibly well for his age, there’s no hiding that Jones will be forced to retire his stage act someday soon. And unfortunately, no one new has really surfaced to move the tradition of charismatic, Sinatra-grade male performers into the rock era. What’s the closest thing we have to a new Tom Jones? Harry Connick Jr.? Ricky Martin?!? Unpromisingly, the best contemporary equivalent to wild, sweaty, larger-than-life showmen is obscure cult artists like Quintron.
Jones is already booked well into 2006, and hopefully he’ll be able to return to Cleveland someday. If not, the lucky attendees at his three House of Blues dates at least had a blast experiencing a legendary performer one last time, and with that, the end of an entertainment era.
— Michael David Toth
December 1st, 2005 at 6:12 am
Harry Connick, Jr. is great and he’s down-home friendly but he doesn’t have the stage presence not to mention the hormone levels of Mr. Jones.
Ricky Martin? Hmmm…definitely hot but since he frequently takes a hiatus now and again, he doesn’t seem to have the staying power of our Tom!
I didn’t know who Quintron is so I looked him up and found that he “was named “Entertainer of the Year” by Donnie Burnside, owner of Burnside Furniture Outlet in Big Rapids, Michigan, after seeing one of the regular tours Quintron makes throughout the United States and Europe.” WOW! What an honor!
So…in a nutshell, I can think of absolutely NO ONE who even comes close! I’ll be eager to hear if anyone else can come up with suggestions.
December 1st, 2005 at 6:58 am
I looked up Quintron too and couldn’t figure out if this reviewer was joking or not! The little bit of his voice that I heard was more … well, let’s just say I wasn’t impressed!
Tom is not a crooner, he sings ballads but also just about every other conceivable type of music. As far as Ricky Martin, yes he is sexy but he doesn’t have Tom’s voice!!
Which brings me to the part of this review which ticked me off. I do not understand why he thinks that Tom will be forced to retire from the stage sometime “soon.” He obviously wasn’t watching the Tom we all enjoy at concerts. Not only is Tom vibrant, sexy and funny but the mans voice is still a wonder to hear. I’m not sure if the reviewer figures 65 is too old but …
As far as future entertainers and voices like Tom, I don’t think there will ever be another Tom Jones! He’s a man of humour, sex appeal, big talent and an entertainer all wrapped in one nice package.
There are many nice and beautiful voices around but not like Tom Jones.
December 1st, 2005 at 11:57 am
“Unpromisingly, the best contemporary equivalent to wild, sweaty, larger-than-life showmen is obscure cult artists like Quintron.” Pssshhhhhttttt! This review is just begging for a can o’ whuupass to be opened. First of all, “unpromisingly?” Is that even a WORD? If you Google a photo of “Quintron” you’ll see that to even mention TJ and him in the same context is ridiculous. He looks like the love child of Prince and, well, Prince. “While he still pulled off his ’sex bomb’ shtick impossibly well for his age, there’s no hiding that Jones will be forced to retire his stage act someday soon.”
Why? I don’t think Tom’s style of dancing has been any different over the years, his voice is his strength. Plus, it is really, REALLY obvious that Tom is having fun with it all, as his audience can appreciate. No one takes TJ less seriously than he does and he’s laughing at all the naysayers — all the way to the bank. God bless him.
I’ll take a 65+ Tom Jones any day of the week (and then some). Tom Jones is peerless and I don’t see anyone on the horizon that even comes close to filling his ahem shoes.
Tom Jones ROCKS my world =:)
December 1st, 2005 at 1:23 pm
Reply to Michael David Toth’s Friday, Nov. 25th Review
Tom Jones International is a fun, funky, silly song, when you’re in the mood for that sort of thing. The video is a bit ridiculous, I must admit. I don’t know who comes up with that stuff. But until I saw his Irving Plaza concert – up close and personal – where I could see his facial expressions, I didn’t realize — as I’m sure many others don’t — that he doesn’t take himself seriously and it all seems to be in fun.
He’s 65 years old, but if he can still swing it, why not dance and wiggle — especially since his women fans still seem to love it? Tom can sing Sexbomb just as long as he wants to. I just don’t think he looks foolish doing it. Actually, I think he’s pretty freakin’ HOT! He always was. If I hadn’t followed him all these years already, I would think he had some set of pipes hearing him now for the first time. Bono and Bruce also have amazing talent. So does Barbra — who doesn’t move at all. Tina Turner has amazing stage presence. She’s electric. So is Bette Midler.
I think his ballad section is perfect. And it showed his versatility. IMHO Tom’s show is from boring and, if anything, is too SHORT. I know I’m a fan, but I do try to be objective.
Yes, he will be forced to retire someday. It’s inevitable, just like death and taxes. I agree with Toth — it will be the end of an entertainment era. But unless there’s stuff going on in his life that I don’t know about (and I’m sure there is - HA!); stuff that isn’t on the surface; Tom looks and performs just as strong as ever. I have no doubt that he has “off” nights, but I’ve never witnessed them.
I think it is a compliment to Tom to say that nobody is waiting in the wings to take his place. I’ve been waiting 40 years for someone to come along who I think is better than Tom.
Still waiting…
December 1st, 2005 at 7:03 pm
Talking about Tom’s retirement……those are fightin’ words!!!
Tom Jones is sexier at 65 than most men half his age. His voice is stronger than ever, the twinkle in his eye madly mischievious and his stage presence still stops me in my tracks. No one even comes remotely CLOSE to this man as an entertainer.
True, we ALL will have to retire some day, but I have a very strong feeling that Tom Jones will still have us basking in that glorious voice for many more years to come. As long as he wants to sing, I will want to buy tickets. Love you Tom!!!
December 8th, 2005 at 3:24 pm
I saw my first TJ concert in November, in Atlantic City, and he doesn’t look close to retirement to me. His voice is more powerful then the 80’s show playing on public television. He has the sex appeal and the moves of a man half his age, and the twenty and thirty year old women in the front rows to prove it. I have never had such a great entertainment experience and I am 51 years old. I have been to a lot of shows and concerts but his is number one. I am a new/old fan and can’t wait to see him again!
December 9th, 2005 at 4:47 pm
Tom is HOT and so SEXY. His voice is better than ever and I will buy tickets to see him as long as he performs. Tom is so versatile and I love most every song he does. How about that 200 Lbs of Heavenly Joy? I’ve seen him in DC, Atlantic City and Myrtle Beach and next is Vegas. Tom is most every woman’s fantasy lover (including mine).
December 9th, 2005 at 9:36 pm
I KNOW who Tom Jones is, but, who is Michael David Toth? And what makes him the final say in who should retire? I have seen Tom only three times this past year (probably only three times as often as MDT). Tom’s voice is incredible, he is so sexy and not ready to retire.Who is Michael David Toth and what are his credentials that give him the right to tell anyone that it is time to shut it down? I think Mr. Toth should prove himself in his own business for 35 or 40 years before he gets to spout his opinion. Until then I will think of him as white noise.
December 12th, 2005 at 11:59 am
Consider the source! My god…its from Cleveland. When I was growing up there we called it the “mistake on the lake.” That reviewer doesn’t know what he’s talking about.