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.
2006 Tour Kicks Off January 19 in Las Vegas
Friday, January 20th, 2006Here’s how it began:
The spotlight went up on Tony Reynolds after the opening video ended with the sheep hurtling through space. Tony rallied the crowd, exhorting everyone in the room to welcome “onstage tonight — for the first time since he was knighted — SIR Tom Jones!”
We truly beg your forgiveness for our inability to stop gushing like teenyboppers but, when Tom walked out, we gasped. In sheer, absolute delight. For, even though the 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.) The way he very often put his hand in his pocket — seemingly not quite used to a suit onstage — and fumbled with the shirt buttons while opening the collar and took out his cross was — gush alert! — actually very human and sweet.
He looks younger, cooler. In a word, 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 information 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.
For this opening night, a January Thursday after a long holiday weekend, there 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 still love the to setlist change, Tom 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 Tom Jones’ ability to offer those notes is his unique gift.
Ellen & Ursula
January 20th, 2006 at 4:57 am
Hi. Thanks for the review and the picture. I will be one of many who are happy to see that Tom has changed his outfit!! Although the old one was probably comfortable I always thought it looked like he was trying to hide something. We all know he isn’t so it’s good to see him in a suit and shirt.
Cathy
January 20th, 2006 at 6:06 am
I can hardly wait to see him. Thank you so much for the update. Good news about the change in his outfit.
January 20th, 2006 at 7:59 am
I am stunned and delighted that Tom has revamped his look…obviously, he wears it (the title of “Sir”) well! My only dilemma is that now I am going to HAVE to see this new outfit for myself!!! Guess I’ll be checking the calendar and talking with Sister Sue!!! Thanks for the information and the wonderful review!!!
January 20th, 2006 at 8:12 am
What a great review! You left me wanting more. I can barely wait to see TJ in April, he just keeps getting better and better :))
January 20th, 2006 at 9:18 am
My Goodness - What a hunk of man!!!!!! I, too, cannot wait to see him in person in Feb.(Resorts, NJ) with that new suit. I agree with Fay — he just keeps getting better and better.
January 20th, 2006 at 10:22 am
Whoa…..he looks fantastic!!! This outfit is much more flattering. TJ has obviously dropped some weight. Thank you ladies for your great review. I will have the pleasure of seeing the show Saturday and Sunday nights and cannot wait.
January 20th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Thanks so much for keeping us updated. I do hope I am the winner of the great Tom Jones International shirt. If not, I would sure like to buy one. I buy a tee shirt every time I go to see one of Tom’s performances. It now looks like I will not get to see him until March.
January 20th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
Hi, Julia,
Not to be pompous, but that’s really the goal of our site — to help fans feel close to Tom and to share with those who cannot be there the experience of seeing him. We do hope we’re successful at that. And that’s why we encourage site visitors to write about their experiences.
Be sure to watch our site. The t-shirts will soon be available for purchase.
Thanks for your kind words.
Ursula & Ellen
January 20th, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Great review ladies. I can’t wait to see Tom in A.C. It’s nice to hear that he has a new stage outfit, but he would look great in anything, he just has it all!!!
I’m a bit confused about your mention that he was Knighted, I thought he was on the list to be Knighted at a later date. Please let me know if I’m wrong, don’t want to make any mistake in A.C. next month. Bye for now. Mary
January 20th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Hi, Mary:
You are right. He is not “Sir Tom Jones” until after the dubbing ceremony (looked that one up).
That said, Mr. Jones did not — to coin a phrase — exactly “bum rush” the stage correcting Anthony’s usage.
So, in the end, guess he doesn’t mind. And as long as HRH isn’t around, we can probably call him “Sir.”
January 20th, 2006 at 11:08 pm
Great review, and would love to see all the changes in clothing. Wonder what happened with Les King?? Do you think the audience at this show actually KNEW Tom had been so honored?? I would have hoped they would have jumped up and given Sir Tom a cheer when Anthony announced the news!!!
January 23rd, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Hi, I agree with your review! My husband and I were both there the same night! I’ve never seen Tom before in concert.He was SSOOOO much better in concert than on CD (not that they are bad). He has an AMAZING voice, one that isn’t heard of anymore in todays music.
I went out yesterday and bought two of his CDs. But, they aren’t the same as his live performance! Do you or anyone know of which CD has his song, 200 pounds of Heavenly Joy? I can’t find it — and I LOVED it!!
He was sheer delight in concert!
Sharon C. (Maryland)
January 23rd, 2006 at 1:42 pm
Hi, Sharon:
200 Pounds is on the Jools Holland CD and live on the Australian CD Tom did with John Farnham.
While the CD with Farnham has the advantage of being live, the Jools Holland collaboration has way more of Tom (19 tracks) and also features some of the other songs from his show — My Babe, End of the Road, Mam and Dad’s Waltz, Hanging Up My Heart for You and Who Will the Next Fool Be. Of the two I believe it’s the far superior one.
If you’re in a collecting mood and want a good overview of his career, The Definitive Tom Jones four-CD set cannot be beat and now you can find it — on both Amazon and eBay — for much less than the original price of $100. The book that comes with it is fun and informative.
You can look on eBay for these or if you’re in a hurry and don’t want to bid, on amazon.com. (Amazon’s “used and new” area for each item is good, as people seem to be very honest about the condition of what they’re selling and you can save some money.)
From our page, “Tom’s Musical Roots” you can link directly to these CDs on amazon.com by clicking on the album name. You can also go directly to the eBay listings for Tom Jones music and memorabilia via the link at the top of that page and bid on them.
Ellen
January 24th, 2006 at 9:35 pm
You are all just making me wish February 10th would come sooner!!!! Yes, I will be seeing TOM JONES just 15 minutes from where I live, in Morristown NJ. We have last-row seats, but it’s a very small venue. We will have no trouble hearing or seeing him. And we’ll make sure he knows we are there. We love you, Tom!!!!!
January 28th, 2006 at 3:37 am
Hot, hip and in every sense the true owner of the nickname: “THE ULTIMATE SEX GOD.” My friend and I saw the January 22nd 2006 show at the MGM Grand. And as luck would have it, Ellen and Ursula were sitting directly in front of us!
Tom had a certain energy that night…a bit more playfulness and punch to his songs. How do you improve on perfection? Well he did! Also noticed that there was a more Caribbian instrumentation to Help Yourself. Of course the kiss-on-the-lips from him sealed the whole deal. BRAVO TOM!!! Just have to keep practicing my curtsy as my knees bend (buckle) automatically when I see him. Thank you Tom for such an outstanding show. We’ll be back in March & April. XOXOXO
February 5th, 2006 at 4:44 pm
I saw TOM Jan. 30,31 & Feb.1, at the MGM and he was great. The energy, voice and feelings were out of this world. It was my birthday and I must say, one of the best birthdays ever. Tom looked great and his song picks were wonderful, also outfits. My favorite was Glory of Love and Tom said that was one of his favorites. I enjoy this website and will visit often. Sir TOM is number one.
February 8th, 2006 at 11:41 pm
On January 30 and 31 my granddaughter amd I were so excited to see and hear Tom so early in his 2006 tour. He was just perfect — new jacket too. This was my granddaughter’s first show. She was practically speechless when he asked her a question about the flowers she was handing to him. I know she was as excited as I — no kiss but a wink! It’s always a perfect visit to Las Vegas and MGM when Tom’s there too! Need to go again.