Tom Jones International

As you may have noticed, we had server problems and, because of that, Inside Scoop’s post from Louisville, KY is late. We do apologize to Scoop and all those who so enjoy Scoop’s reviews — which are the best anywhere. If you don’t believe that, check out the dull, but still positive review from the Louisville Courier Journal.

---

Ever stop during the course of your busy day to wonder what goes on in Louisville, Kentucky? Can you picture it on a map? Ever ordered up a shot of Kentucky Bourbon, or heard countless thousands of camera cowboys order one up just before their character is unceremoniously written out of a Saturday spaghetti western? Ever swing a Louisville Slugger? Ever visit Muhammad Ali’s hometown in the summertime? Then you, my friend, have been Kentucky fried!

It gets so hot and humid here sometimes that I don’t think the Colonel had to do much to start his business many years ago. He just released the chickens at noon, then waited a little while until they were done! The Kentucky sun and humidity did all the work! That’s exactly how I felt after a couple of hours of sauntering in the sweltering summer heat that is life in Louisville. Right about 4 PM I too was finger lickin’ good!

Kentucky is more a part of our national heritage than this writer might have realized until now. I must tell you that I’ve seldom been impressed initially with a city as much as I became smitten with the positive zest shown by the Kentuckian. Tower of Power and Mr. Tom Jones were treated to class of the first degree.

The venue, the Kentucky Center, is a facility built for show, and to soothe and comfort the well heeled. It sits directly across the street from the new Muhammad Ali Center, another class tribute to a class act. And both Centers are just a few blocks away from national headquarters of Louisville Slugger, the home of the baseball bat, where the company founder still appears a couple of times a week, rolls up his sleeves and hand rolls a few bats himself. Community involvement in art and culture is alive and very well in Louisville.

Long before Mr. Jones took the stage, Tuesday night was already succeeding. Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center rivals venues like The Morton Meyerson in Dallas. Picture it as a smaller, more contemporary Carnegie Hall starter-kit. The third balcony rises so high in the rear of the theater that it draws your eyes up where you suddenly realize the majesty and scope of the massive space within. The architecture is modern, flowing and slight. The main floor is massive and I bet it’s intimidating when your point of view is locking out from center stage. Not a problem for Mr. Jones.

It is quite remarkable how Tom Jones can face such overwhelming presence, then instantaneously usurp it with his own. That formula alone should be a hint to you that this was a night of a thousand stars. Amongst that number I include and applaud the audience. Was “Kentuckyville” prepared for the opening power of the Tower? I don’t think so. How would you expect that they responded? Kentuckian responded by getting it!

This was a seasoned event-going crowd that has apparently been to the Kentucky Center before, and on the regular is my guess. They quickly embraced and thoroughly enjoyed Tower of Power. They clapped long and meaningfully as if to say, “you have brought us a variation of music that is different and unique. We like it, please give us more.” They got it! Tower of Power responded by shifting into overdrive and letting Louisville have what they didn’t know they needed. Keep in mind that this love fest of funk was unfolding a full 40 minutes before Mr. Jones would take the stage. Can you say the night was already funktastic? I think you can. I think you should. I think you must! TOP ends their portion of the show by asking the trademark musical question, “What Is Hip?”!! This Kentucky audience let them know that they were! At the end of their show, Tower received a well deserved standing ovation from an appreciative, musically astute audience. Nice moment- very nice.

It may be somewhat interesting to note that once guests were seated on the main floor, there was no getting up, except during the intermission, because the seats are situated in a way that only allows access from the absolute ends of the rows. And the rows ran the entire width of the theater. The house was full, so bladders had to be empty. I guess that’s an unwritten rule that card carrying members apparently already know. Bad planning or good planning, it was working.

And then it was time for Mr. Jones and his band to take the stage. For a brief moment I wondered if Tom Jones could take an audience that was already functioning at a high musical level, and lift them even higher. He did and with aplomb!

Mr. Jones can sense the moment, process it instantly and capture it, like so many jacks being swooped up while the little red ball is still in the air, as he has a million times before. It’s nothing short of amazing to witness Tom Jones in the moment. Your eyes become fixed like tractor beams on what is unfolding before you, while in your mind his his songs take you instantly to that comfortable, familiar place. Like a bobsledder at the start of his run, musical olympian Tom Jones took Louisville for the ride of the evening.

Each shift of his hips represented a curve well negotiated, backed up by approving squeals. There was a knowing in the clapping that made this evening very classy. It was heavy and thick. It revealed and overwhelming joy and a high degree of understanding. Rarely has this writer seen a Tom Jones show where successful didn’t equal a thunderstorm of lingerie. This was that show. However, never underestimate the power of a well placed pair of flung panties, especially if you are the one throwing, and Tom is the one catching!

For those who made it to this show, it was one to remember. Tower of Power came onto the stage and blew the audience away with the power of their horns. Tom Jones took to the stage and blew the audience away with the power of one voice. Thank you sophistiKentuckian for stepping up to the plate and helping to make the show a grand slam success! Whiskey for everybody!

Oh… it might be a good idea for Mr. Jones to consider taking off the suit coat earlier in the show, or before the show starts. After all it is summertime and it’s hot just about everywhere. Multiply the heat times four powerful spot lights in your face every night and you begin to understand what the superstar must endure. By the time the jacket comes off (typically at the beginning of Leave Your Hat On) Mr. Jones is shvitzing like the drip system that keeps the vegetation watered in my yard. Although sweat can be quite sexy, too much is not so good. Of course we appreciate that Mr. Jones has a nightly output of 100%, but we don’t always want to see it to the detriment of seeing him. I think it’s OK to sacrifice the dramatic taking-off-the-jacket-moment in favor of cooler threads. Either that or order up a few designer gore-tex jackets and shirts so that the Jones stays cool and dry onstage. And let the fans find their own wonderfully creative ways to get whet!

Scoop… out!