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Our “Inside Scoop” reporter has seen Tom frequently — in Vegas, in Ponty and, even, Australia and points in between — and will file occasional reports just for you at tomjonesinternational.com
Our Inside Scoop’s in AC With Tom & Lots of Fans For Four Shows
Friday, July 28th, 2006
For those who don’t know it, Atlantic City, New Jersey, is perfectly located on the ocean in the southeastern part of the state. For more than a century it’s been a seaside playground with a wonderful boardwalk (first built in 1870) and a real carnival atmosphere in the summer. In fact, the city was such a highly regarded playground for the rich that a Pennsylvania game designer used Atlantic City’s streets on the original, best-selling board game, Monopoly in the 1930s. Since then, the city had fallen on hard times, becoming infested with crime and poverty. In 1978 voters there approved casino gambling, believed to be a cure for the city’s ills. The boardwalk rose again, with massive casino hotels, the first of which was Resorts International, where Tom plays four times each year these days. Of course, the urban issues that plague many citys were not resolved by gaming and, today, as a gaming center, Atlantic City is struggling, competing with the Indian casinos that have drawn much of their large New York patron pool away and with a more spectacular Las Vegas. But, whatever, Tom just rocks on there next to the beautiful ocean.
Tom is back in Atlantic City! Mr. Jones is comfortable at Resorts. After all, he’s been a mainstay at the Superstar Theater for years.
Enthusiasm for his show has not waned over time. Employees trumpet the return of “Sir” as fan regulars flock to this east coast ocean oasis to hail “The Voice.”
Always before and after his sold out shows, the Jones elite belly up to black jack, the bar, or the myriad electronic enticements, all guaranteed to take your money. Of those things, it is only Mr. Jones who actually earns your money.
Mr. Jones earneth, Mr. Blackjack taketh away! Mr. Casino very happy!
As usual, the mood inside the Superstar Theater is dark and mafia-like, but without the hazards of cigarette smoke, smoking guns or goodfellas! The old showroom is a kind of relic. But it’s the perfect place to get up close and personal with the thunder from… Wales!
This first night of four for Tom was good, but the voice did start to waiver halfway through the show, but only when he went for his highest notes. May have been the long flight from LA, or his demanding schedule away from the stage. Still, a rock-solid performance was enjoyed by all in attendance.
You see, Tom is able to shift gears without detection. If he knows his voice is not 100 percent, he takes his money notes to another, more manageable plateau. Yet he still delivers, and almost always he comes back the next night with a vocal vengeance.
Many entertainers “work” for a living. Tom Jones actually works for a living. He’s one cool cat who keeps you wondering what’s going on inside that famous head.
That’s also part of what keeps us coming back to see him.
Those eyes and that half-smile reveal just enough to keep us addicted. Add the voice and a simple shift of the hip, and you’ve got a musical meringue that is still tangy, and begs to be touched, and — oh, my — eaten!
The weekend is here. The ocean is here. Tom Jones is here. What’s your 20?
—Scoop Out
July 28th, 2006 at 7:43 am
Hi Scoop - Thanks for the review. I’m going to see Mr. Jones tomorrow evening and I’ll let you know my thoughts and impressions. After reading your review, I’m even more excited to see him. Keep up the great work!
July 28th, 2006 at 10:18 am
What I would give for a ticket. Unfortunately duty calls and there is no way for me to get to AC this weekend to even scalp a ticket. I still say our dear Tom should really think of of someday calling the Garden State his home sweet home. A permenent show at Resorts would be the perfect way to go into retirement for both of us. (That is me and Tom) and he could still make the occasional trip to Vegas. Tom, call me anytime for your personal tour of NJ and you could even bring along Lady Linda as I am sure she would love this part of the country and it is just one short cruise on the Queen Mary to the Green Green Grass of home.
July 28th, 2006 at 10:53 am
Scoop, I am not even going to try to respond to the musical meringue invitation, but you are truly a hoot!! I was talking to my ex-mother-in-law last week about Tom and she was describing her experience in seeing him in AC 30 years ago. Not much has changed…., he still rents a special fantasy space in our heads, no matter how time marches on.
July 30th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
I was very fortunate to have tickets to Thursday nights show. I was also lucky to get seats that were second table from the stage. This was time #7 for me to see Tom, but sitting that close, I was as mesmerized as if it was the first. The Superstar Theatre at Resorts has close quarters seating on the floor, and you get to know your table mates and neighbors rather well until the end of the show. You come expecting to see a great show, and end up leaving feeling that you’ve attended a rocking party with new friends, having Tom in the roll of life of the party. On being a Tom Jones fan— it’s all good, it’s all really, really good. My heart goes out to all of you who held tickets for Sat. and Sun shows. I also was disappointed to hear that he did With These Hands the following night. This song is one of my favorites and it would have meant so much to me to hear him do it live. Would’nt that song be a great one for a groom to dance with his new bride at their wedding reception? Wishing Tom a speedy recovery for his throat problem. Love ya Big Guy!
July 31st, 2006 at 3:24 am
“Those eyes and that half-smile reveal just enough to keep us addicted. Add the voice and a simple shift of the hip, and you’ve got a musical meringue that is still tangy, and begs to be touched, and — oh, my — eaten!” Scoop, you certainly have a way with words! I feel like I was THERE and I certainly would like a VERY LARGE PIECE of TOM JONES pie, please!!! You have captured the way I feel every time I see THE VOICE perform! Great coverage as always, scoop! Thanks!
August 7th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
Scoop-
You have a way with words…very fun to read you reviews.