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.
Inside Scoop Says, “I just read this review. It’s awesome! That guy really respects Mr. Jones.”
Saturday, February 25th, 2006After reading this review, Inside Scoop suggested that we post it in its entirety, noting, “I couldn’t say it better. That guy really respects Mr. Jones. ” So, here it is. And look for Scoop’s comments in the comment section where, Scoop tells us, “Britain’s latest knight is right at home in the Palace.”
Tom Jones delivers it all live
By GREG HAYMES, Staff writer, Albany (NY) Times-Union First published: Saturday, February 25, 2006
ALBANY — Frank Sinatra was The Voice. Elvis Presley was The King. Jackie Wilson was Mr. Excitement.
They’re all gone now, but it seems as though Tom Jones is ready to take on each of their titles — even at the age of 65.
At the Palace Theatre on Friday night, the powerhouse Welsh singer uncorked a flat-out blockbuster performance. Despite the fact that you won’t find Jones anywhere on the pop record charts these days, the man certainly knows how to deliver the goods live.
For the record, the first item of women’s unmentionables hit the stage at 9:05 p.m. in the middle of the towering ballad, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, and by my count, the final underwear total was four — with three more launched during the prowling oom-pah of What’s New, Pussycat?
But the whole feminine-undergarments-as-flying-missiles-of- adoration thing has always served only to undermine Jones’ true talents as both a vocalist and an entertainer.
That’s not to say that he isn’t still a mighty sexy guy. Gyrating in the spotlight during the high-kicking Delilah, the hip-swiveling braggadocio of She’s a Lady and the flashy footwork of the final encore, Prince’s uber-sexy Kiss, Jones was every bit the sex symbol that he was 40 years ago when he won the Grammy Award as the best new artist of the year.
His booming, brassy baritone sounds as powerful as ever, as he romped through his oldies from the ’60s (like growling It’s Not Unusual and the country-gospel wail of Green, Green Grass of Home), more recent dance-floor hits ( the disco detonation of Sex Bomb) and a welcome batch of old blues tunes (the jazzy barrelhouse of St. James Infirmary Blues and a swaggering sashay through Willie Dixon’s 200 Pounds of Heavenly Joy).
He was at his best, however, when he managed to meld all three of those elements together. He perfectly blended the old with the new on his scorching cover of Rise Robots Rise’s If I Only Knew, unleashing a hell-bent scream alongside a punchy R&B horn figure from the four-piece horn section. Heck, he even pulled off a bit of rap with a sly, self-aware sense of humor.
Dressed all in black and sporting a goatee, Jones made it work on a pair of funky Randy Newman covers — Mama Told Me Not to Come and You Can Leave Your Hat On, which has never sounded as brash and bawdy. And he made it work on the more subtle finger-snapping country soul of Charlie Rich’s Who Will the Next Fool Be?, too.
While the eight-piece band and trio of backing vocalists served him well, he didn’t really need them, as he proved during the pared down blues of What Am I Living For?, his robust voice backed only by Brian Monroney’s acoustic guitar and saxophonist Kenny Anderson. The old Kittie Kallen ballad, Love Letters, was also given maximum impact by honing the focus of Jones’ heart wrenching vocals.
Tom Jones has still got it. No question about it.
The crowd: A crowd of approximately 2,600 made the show a near sell-out.
Highlights: The swaggering You Can Leave Your Hat On and the razor-sharp If I Only Knew
Length: 85 minutes
Panty total: 4
February 25th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
Mr. Haymes is spot on in his review of last night’s show in Albany. What a masterpiece! Not just Mr. Jones and his band (which by the way add so much to the show. I can’t see Mr. Jones doing a whole night without such an awesome band and backup singers), but the Palace Theater as well. It is magnificent; a real gem inside and out. Despite it’s huge size, it is very comfortable and inviting. The detail and creative artwork that went into this structure make it a landmark for sure — whether official or not.
Britain’s latest Knight was right at home in the Palace. The audience took to him immediately, and the fit was perfect. Greg’s article chronicles the night very well.
He failed to mention that (once again) large security goons became groove killers for the enthusiastic but well-behaved audience. Looking around, I can guarantee that there were far more panties that wanted to reach the stage than got the opportunity. I think that’s a shame. The security detail stifled (a bit) what should have been a more amusingly entertaining night. I believe that when you can get adults to shed their inhibitions for a little while and have some good clean silly fun, what’s the harm? Some of these folks have waited a lifetime just for such a moment. So let ‘em!
Did I mention that the massive and deep orchestra pit surrounding the front of the stage was protection enough for Tom? Whosoever jumpeth toward Tom doth falleth headlong into the pit! Maybe the security guys were actually keeping people from that possibility. In which case, OK. That does not excuse them from not allowing the throwing of panties! Some panties did make it to the stage anyway. A few more fell into the pit. The audience applauded the efforts of those who defied the great security warriors and went for it.
Despite the orchestra pit and security, this was without question one of the best shows during this east coast tour. The Palace is resplendent, majestic, awe-inspiring. But then, so is Mr. Jones.
Scoop… out.
February 25th, 2006 at 11:38 pm
Fantastic article. Wish I could have put all that into words as the writer did. How great it is to read something from a writer who truly knows Tom’s talent!!
Referring to the few numbers of lingerie onstage, I realize the fun fans have in tossing those frillies, but how much distraction is this for Tom?? I believe, in a way, it is a huge compliment to The Man, but put yourself in his shoes, and the fact he can’t see what is being tossed in his face or on his head every time he performs.
February 26th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Turning Stone Casino what a great show on Feb.26th 2006. He’s HOT HOT HOT!!!
February 26th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Now you’re teasing us, Charlene. Please tell us more about the show.
February 27th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
Although I always look forward to Scoop’s reviews, I have to say that Mr. Haymes did a good job of filling her shoes this time! It’s especially refreshing to know that this was apparently written by a man who totally admires and respects our Sir Jones. And I loved the comment about “he even pulled off a bit of rap with a sly, self-aware sense of humor.” I do believe that I am beginning to think that his sense of humor is one of the sexiest things about him.
I also have to agree with Marian regarding tossing things up to Tom. Whenever I’ve been at concerts and see something about to be tossed, I have an urge to yell “Incoming!” in case Tom needs to duck! I understand why the fans feel the need to throw things on stage, especially when the security guards are so “secure” in their duties. However, I also know that if every person who wanted to present something to Mr. Jones was allowed up front, the show would be at least three hours long. Guess it’s a Catch 22…
And in response to Charlene and the moderator…yes, you are definitely teasing us with that little blip about how great the show was! You can’t tell us that he’s HOT HOT HOT!! and not go into details! Even though we all know he’s hot, we need specifics! Come on, girlfriend, spill the beans!