Tom Jones International

Enjoy these posts, but please continue to check out Fans Favorite Photos on flickr. More are being added each day. We just — Tuesday, 8:15 PST — added 11 new photos including some great never-before-seen candids from the 1970s. We’re having a good time posting the photos for you. And, tomorrow, the last word (we think) from Chile and you’ll see a photo that’s quite a tribute to Sir Tom.

Being back at “The Grand” (MGM) is analogous to slipping into a comfortable shoe. Tom Jones is back, and he’s good! The South American tour had to be quite an ego boost for the almost-67-year-old star. The public’s response to Mr. Jones was extraordinary, as chronicled in recent Scoops and elsewhere on this site.

To go from entertaining 16- and 20,000 people on two consecutive nights just weeks ago in South America, to 740 here at the MGM’s Hollywood Theater in Las Vegas, might prove to be quite a deceleration. But not for this amazing talent. Tom Jones put it in gear and went from 0 to 60 as soon as he hit the Las Vegas stage. Whether carrying 740 or 20,000, those fans who have come for the ride are treated to a high-performance entertainment vehicle that always delivers!

It seems obvious that Tom is very comfortable and proud of his current show, and he should be. The set list has to be one of his best. It’s diverse. It shows his range, and offers a spectrum of emotions. His voice is strong and clear. His showmanship? Superb!

An additional critical aspect to Tom’s very successful show is his band and back-up singers! Enjoying an evening with Tom Jones includes being treated to a band that is polished, strong, funky, skilled, talented and eager. His three back-up singers ably support Mr. Jones’ strong lead vocals. Tom must be pleased and perhaps even inspired by this fine support group of very talented artists. In return it’s evident that this band is gleefully inspired by Mr. Jones to give its all each and every performance. It’s about the synergy. And it happens nightly right before our eyes. This collective, impressive sound wave of talent leaves the stage like a freight train. It engulfs an engaged audience. When it’s over, you walk away and say to yourself, “I had no idea it would be that good.” Your step is lighter as you exit the theater. My friends, it IS that good!
There are maybe one or two changes I would make to the setlist. I’ll keep those to myself as they are more subjective choices that would certainly please ME. But, since this is not about ME, I move on.

Wait… Maybe this IS all about me. Maybe this is a story about unrequited love. Tom is simply waiting, nightly, on stage for me to call out to him. To say, “Yes Tom, I’m here. I’ve always been here. I’m the one!”

Then I feel the gentle tug at my shoulder. “Excuse me, ma’am, you’ll have to leave now. Show’s over. Tom Jones has left the theater. See you tomorrow night.”

If you haven’t already seen it, almost the entire Tom Jones concert from Viña Del Mar (South America) can be viewed on You Tube. There you can see what kind of energy is created when 16,000 people, whose city hadn’t seen Tom Jones live in over 25 years, can generate. Spectacular!

I wonder if Tom Jones ever gets goose bumps when he realizes the breadth of the success of his ongoing career?

I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again; “It’s good to be Tom Jones!”

By the way, it’s sunny and 75º in Las Vegas today. Where are you???

—Scoop… out!

*OK, it’s a silly headline, but it’s not “Chile” or, even, “chilly” in Las Vegas.

Interestingly, Tom’s next tour after Vegas takes him to Florida, another place he hasn’t played for years. If Scoop (or any of you) makes it to those shows, let us know.