Tom Jones International

The Green Green Grass of home belonged to the Welsh last week. Tom performed three nights in his beloved Wales. As you might have anticipated, he was very well received. The Welsh must not have much to shout about. Tom moved away from Wales over 30 years ago (as soon as he “made it big”). Yet the city of Cardiff continually embraces him as if he’d never left. Tom’s actual home town of Pontypridd is a short ride just outside of Cardiff.

Throughout this UK tour, Tom’s opening act, a Scottish rock-pop group called the Cosmic Rough Riders, has been trying to set a musical tone each evening from city to city. Doesn’t seem to be working out to well for the Rough Riders. In fact, it has been a rather rough ride for them. It’s not that their music is bad. It’s pretty good. I think it’s that when Tom Jones fans go to see Tom Jones, an opening act is just another time consuming obstacle keeping them from their much desired, knighted one.

Tom Jones did not disappoint. He put on great shows in Cardiff. He made references to the fact that he had “come home” once again. The fans loved that. Tom even uttered a couple of words in welsh. Beats the heck out of me what he said. Trying to make sense of welsh is no more simple than trying to read it. I’ve been told that it’s a dying language here, but you’d never know that when trying to read street signs to negotiate your whereabouts.

Sir Tom Jones was flawless all three Cardiff nights. He looked well, sounded great and danced easily as the chosen one amongst his flock once again.

When he sang Green Green Grass of Home, it was the first time ever that I literally could not hear Tom’s voice because the crowd had completely taken over the song. They sang loudly, with great passion and remarkably, in key. In fact, several times during that song, and during Fall In Love, Mr Jones literally stopped singing, stretched his arms out wide, and let the audience carry on with what they had started. They sang those two songs like they were their combined nation anthem; as if Hitler had just met his demise the day before. The fans sang and they swayed. Their national treasure stood before them and shared, as well as embraced, these moments.

It was a happy time in Cardiff. I wonder when Tom will return here. During his last major tour to Europe in 2003, Tom sold out eight nights in his beloved Wales. That tour came upon the heels of two very successful albums. During this current tour, Tom really has no new product to back up. Yet he is filling up arenas. That is quite a testament to the magnetic hold this august entertainer has with those who love “the voice.”

By the way the set list has changed slightly. Trick Or Treat (which had been the 2nd song of the evening), has been dropped. Not to be replaced it seems.

And here’s one more update. I’m getting close to broke, but I’m happy to still be here. I’ve taken a liking to bangers-n-mash. It’s really not the best food to eat on the regular. But then neither are Fat Burgers or Philly Cheese Steaks! I just wash ‘em down with a pint, Mate, (BURP!). Sorry, mate. Cheers!

Scoop… out!