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.
As Tom Finishes This Run At MGM, A Thought….Or Two
Wednesday, January 31st, 2007As Tom finishes yet another terrific run at the MGM Grand, a thought occurred to us: Before Rod Stewart in 2002 and Barry Manilow in the last year or so, Tom Jones had a hit with a standard on his Reload CD in 2000.
Because he and Cerys Matthews sound so today on their recording, it’s easy not to realize that that Baby, It’s Cold Outside was honored with the “Best Song” Academy Award in 1949 for composer Frank Loesser. That makes it a standard in our book.
So, once again, Sir Tom Jones has (pardon our pun) set the standard and other performers have followed.
Anyway, as usual Tom’s run was terrific and, we want to note, that on Tuesday night he had a terrific moment with a fan.
While Tom was singing Sexbomb a lady of a certain age walked up as near as she could get to the stage. Standing behind (the famous) table 5, she waved a sequined thong at Tom. He played along, reaching for it repeatedly as she pulled it away.
Finally, she handed it over, he did his “wipe the sweat” thing and handed it back. The lady declined, so Tom took the thong to the stool that holds his water and Vocalzones and set it down.
At the end of the show, he blew a kiss to the lady. She didn’t stop smiling even after she left the theater.
His placing the thong on the stool brings up the other thought or, more correctly, a question: What happens to all those thongs, bras and other assorted garments that get tossed onstage? Are they donated to help the underwear-impaired? Are they sent for recovery to the Home for Missing and Exploited Dainties?
Whatever happens to them, we look forward to the next time Sir Tom visits Vegas and hope that all who see him between now and then have as grand a time as everyone here did.
Ellen & Ursula
January 31st, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I was lucky to be there Tuesday night and agree it was another great show. Tom, the band, the backup singers, and Herman are unbelievably talented. Everyone one loved the above mentioned episode with the panties but other than that there was no exchange with the audience. (How does anyone ever get a picture or autograph?) I think the monitors mentioned this before and I agree, putting “the standard” in the middle of the set seems to slow things down a bit (just my personal opinion) and might be better at the shows beginning or disbursed. Still its a great mix. You can’t help noticing how much fun TJ has with “Git Me Some” and how he relishes the audience’s reaction. By the time he gets to “I Like the Way You Move” Tom and the audience are in a frenzy!
February 2nd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I saw TJ at the Mohegan Sun, I’ll tell you what they do with the “unmentionables.” They sweep ‘em right off the stage into a big black bag! (I was the last one to leave the whole arena, except for security, hoping Tom might have forgotten something and come back out so I could get to meet the one and only!)
February 2nd, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I can tell you who doesn’t get ‘em: Britney or Paris! LOL!
February 2nd, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Ahhhhh! But what happens to the contents of that bag????? That’s the question.
February 5th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I Saw Tom 01-30 & 01-31-07. I was not too impressed with some of the ‘new’ songs… especially “the standards.” I feel it was too long in duration to sing so many ballads / slow songs. Otherwise, good show. A Note — I was at the front of the stage trying to get Tom to sign an album I brought (as he has in the past). The security guard by the door…was rude and nasty both nights. I spent a lot of cash to fly in and see Tom; If I can get him to sign an album as a souvenier — what’s it to security? I was at the end of the stage, NOT on it. I was polite to Tom; not demanding or acting crazy.
February 5th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I would like to know what “a lady of a certain age” means?? Is she TOM’s age???? Is that a bad age??? I certainly would like to know. Thanks for your response.
February 5th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Elvisguitarman:
Your post was edited because we will not post what you wrote about the security guard at the stage door. We know for a fact that security guards do what they are told to do; he was not acting on his own.
The night we were sitting behind you (the 30th, when we didn’t know it was you or we would have said hello) the security guard didn’t move toward you when you tried to get Tom to take your album during the show. It was Tom himself who glanced at it and moved on. Always seems a tad rushed the last night or two. (And we didn’t see what if anything happened after the show.)
As anyone who has read this site knows, we’ve often had things to say about security at Tom’s shows; things that are not necessarily complimentary. But in this case, we know the guard was just doing his job and that Sir Tom did have the opportunity, if he wished, to stop and sign the album. As you noted, he’s done it before and will likely do it in the future.
February 5th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Martha: A “lady of a certain age”refers to a grown-up, someone over, say, 27. It’s a good thing and, if that was you, you were just great!
February 5th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Martha, she was older than T.J.
February 5th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Fay, you are hilarious! Not Paris or Brittany!! Too Funny! Does anyone know if the two songs that we love so much Git Me Some & I Like the Way have been recorded by Sir Tom? If they have been, then where can I get them, I’ll singing it in my sleep? It makes for a fitful night’s sleep singing Git Me Some all night…..LOL! …Thanks!
February 6th, 2007 at 6:49 am
I still think the security guy was a jerk… the MGM is definitely NOT fan friendly.
February 6th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Chris: Git Me Some and I Like the Way at the moment exist only in live performance.
February 6th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Oh! I surely hope he’ll record those as they are Fantastic! Thank you for the help in the answer.