Tom Jones International

Our Inside Scoop has finally been able to play catch-up and send us word about TJ’s Florida tour. We love what Scoop says about what makes a good show. The only thing omitted, we think, is the fact that individual experience comes into play. We can see a show we consider to be kind of average, but the person who’s never seen Tom before is just knocked out (which is a good thing). But Tom seems to please the very vast majority of his audience. That comes from being a great performer who loves performing. That’s why so many fans can see so many shows — over and over. Whatever, we’re always happy to hear from Scoop.

FOLLOW-UP: If you want to see photos of Tom’s concert in Amsterdam, they’re posted here. Just click on the words “Tom Jones” under his photo. A new screen will come up. Click on the words “Tom Jones In Concert.” The concert pictures are on the third page (the other pages have lots of grip-and-grin pictures of TJ and casino VIPs).

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As many of you know, it has been a very long time since Tom Jones has performed in Florida. Well, the drought is over. Friday night’s sold-out show at the famed Hard Rock Cafe on the grounds of the famed Universal Studio Walk was everything I had hoped it would be. An eager, enthusiastic crowd greeted Mr. Jones with thunderous applause as he steped out front and center from stage left.

It was difficult for me to determine whether or not the room was built for shows only, or if it doubles as the main restaurant seating area, too. There were just too many folks inside when I arrived to tell.
This Hard Rock as a concert venue is only slightly similar to its counterpart, the wildly popular House of Blues. I’ve seen Mr. Jones at the House of Blues in LA and Chicago. The Hard Rock is no House of Blues — not by a long shot. The House of Blues has created within their hollowed halls a most seductive, deeply satisfying sensory experience. The best thing that can be said for the Orlando Hard Rock is that it’s in a very choice location as it is a vital and very visible part of the Universal City Walk in Orlando. In fact, the outside of the venue is vastly more inviting than the inside.

That show was an exception. The audience was the key to having raised the bar. They were awesome. Mr. Jones responded in kind by delivering his songs with a passion that is within him to turn on in an instant. Tom’s ballads were inspired. The up-tempo tunes thumped the walls like they should be thumped at the Hard Rock.

There are a few more factors that one must consider when evaluating why one night is better than another. Essentially Mr. Jones’ shows are exactly the same. Each performance is very consistent. That, by the way, is a huge factor in the overall continued success of the Tom Jones tour.

Another huge factor is of course the audience itself. The sociology of the group dynamic is critical, unpredictable and extremely essential. It’s part of the “X”factor, that intangible bit of “black magic” which is part of the musical elixir that makes the evening intoxicating!

What are other factors you may ask? Well, size matters! The type of venue plays an important role as well. What’s the place look like? Where is it located? Is it clean and inviting? What night of the week is it? do I have to get up and go to work tomorrow morning? What’s happening in the world that day? How’s the weather? Was parking an issue? Long lines? Is alcohol being sold? Are you happy with your seats? Are you flying solo? Did you pay for your tickets? I’m sure you can come up with more questions.

What makes one show better than aother? Well, the fans at the great shows at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater clearly caught up with what the show was about right away. Even though it has been many years since the Jones has set foot in Florida, the sun-soaked Floridian was ready, and with tans to match that of the Welsh crooner. The Jones must have felt right at home here!

Panties seem to be a bit taboo here in Florida. Only several have made it on stage. And surprisingly they were all received with great glee by amused audiences. It’s been a kind of “I wouldn’t dare think of throwing panties on the stage, but I’m glad that the lady next to me did!”

The show in Sarasota was a fantastically fun one. Most who attended that show came with the right attitude. Something occurred that I’ve never seen at a Tom Jones show. It was great. Let me explain. You’ll get the picture rather quickly. When the Beach Boys used to tour on the regular, it was common to see beach balls being batted around during the course of the concert.

Well, that’s what happened during the Sarasota show, except with panties. It was a phenomenon indeed. What a joyful, jovial, good natured audience. Whenever the lights came up enough to catch a glimpse of the entire audience, there was a constant “popcorn panty” thing going on. I was rather amazed that this audience, made up largely of well-tanned, well-heeled retirees, would allow such shenanigans, let alone actively participate! What a great show this night turned out to be as a result. Mr. Jones was definitely tuned in to the energy this wonderful gathering generated. I don’t think he was aware of the panty popping that was going on. I think he would have commented.

Did I mention that as much as the weather in Florida has been without storms thus far, save for a few isolated episodes of heavy rain storms, it has been quite humid. It kind of sucks the energy right out of you if you spend too much time outside. I’m thankful it’s not July or August.

As you may well know already, Florida on the whole is a rather well-heeled. The “snowbirds” swoop in a couple of times a season and deposit money all over this state. They are established in their seasonal flight patterns. It has been interesting to watch them struggle, especially the men, to let go of their rigid exteriors and attempt to move to the beat of the music. There were times when I wanted to encourage the guy sitting next to me to loosen one more button on his overstuffed Brooks Brothers, and uncross his arms.

It is always refreshing to see younger die-hard Jones fans interspersed in the crowds at the varying venues. They didn’t care that the Florida venues were filled with fans longing for the return of Mitch Miller or Lawrence Welk. They shook it like a Polaroid as only the youngin’s can do it.

Of the shows I attended during the course of this Florida tour, (and I attended many, but I won’t say how many) Miami, the last scheduled show, was the best of all.

They went nuts for Tom. Miami fan was very passionate, and without reservation. They didn’t hold back. It was a splendid combination of passion and appreciation which went both ways. Tom was “forced” to give special attention to one beautiful, full-figured gal who revealed her ample upper attributes to Mr. Jones several times during She’s A Lady. She was putting on quite a show. Her part of the show abruptly ended when, with the aid of those around her, she was thrust up onto chairs in the 2nd row. The heels she was wearing made her quite unsteady. Security had to step in. I don’t think they wanted to stop what she was doing. They just didn’t want her to fall. Chair dance over! The “incident” wasn’t a terrible distraction for any of the hot blooded, heterosexual males within eye shot. Mr. Jones included!

Once again Tom Jones has executed an excellent tour. The show is finely tuned and very tight. Kudos to Tom’s band and singers. They are polished and professional.

As for the Florida weather, thank the technology God for environmentally friendly chloral fluorocarbons! Stay cool my fellow Floridians!

—Scoop… out!