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.
Tom’s 2007 Tour Ends Tonight….Did You See Him At the MGM?
Wednesday, December 19th, 2007Did you see Sir Tom at the MGM in the last two weeks? If so, please let us know what you thought.
If you did see him — and if you’ve seen him many times before — you probably noticed a difference this run. For the first 10 days, when the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) was in town, Tom went on at 7:30 and Rodney Carrington followed at 10. That left an hour between shows for the staff to clean the room, get all the people out and get Carrington’s audience seated. So, the shows were rushed. Even the last few days when Carrington wasn’t following him.
After several days, Tom dropped With These Hands from the setlist and the expected replacement number never materialized so, from that time on, the shows ran 10 to 15 minutes shorter than usual.
In fact, we found the shows rushed and there was a minimum of audience interaction. Yes, when a fan gave him a rare Jerry Lee Lewis album, he stopped to talk about Jerry Lee and his one-time wife. But, other than that? Nothing.
He was generally in good voice, but there was something missing. We’re assuming it was the leisure to have fun with the fans. And, by the way, the fans were always enthusiastic and most welcoming.
Among the fans, by the way, were Ricky Hatton, Tony Danza, Rachael Ray and Earl Thomas, who wrote Git Me Some.
This isn’t, by the way, an attack. It’s our observation; our opinion. We don’t want to argue. We welcome your opinion.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:31 am
I’m curious, as I haven’t seen Tom in Las Vegas since the “old” MGM which I believe is now Bally’s (he played there after Caesars Palace), how long does the show run? Also, does Tom have an opening act? I remember that back then Tom used to be on stage about an hour and 10 minutes or so, but he did two shows a night. If I remember right, the opener would be on about 20-30 minutes. Just curious….
December 19th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Holly: No opening act (thankfully) and the show, until the last several days, ran for 90 minutes — you could set your watch on it. In fact, these days Mamma Mia! is about the only show that lasts for more than 95 or 100 minutes or so. Even the Cirque shows aren’t longer than that.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:03 am
I saw him on both Mondays - 10th & 17th. Both shows were excellent. He looked gorgeous and his voice was great. He seemed to be more relaxed and was having more “fun” on the 17th and I think it was the most fun I’ve had at one of his shows! Can’t wait till next month…
I’m glad they dropped “With These Hands”. I love the song but not the “updated version” he does of it. Doesn’t even sound like the same song. I wish he would bring back “The Reason” or Stoned In Love” or maybe he’ll add “I bet you look good on the dance floor” next month?
December 19th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
It is a shame that fans paid the same price for the “quick” show as they do for the “regular” show? You would think that Vegas could figure out scheduling better than this so as to give everyone their fair due. I guess it is not as much about the money as it is about Las Vegas being the entertainment capital of the world. Rica
December 19th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Concerning my previous comments. Maybe Tom’s management should have told MGM to figure out the scheduling so the fans aren’t shortchanged. But again TJ’s management isn’t the best (as we all know). Rica
December 20th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
I attended the show on the 15th & 16th. Although the shows were rushed, I didn’t feel short-changed. I was surprised the Saturday audience was more subdued than Sunday’s. (Not one panty tossed Saturday, thank goodness.) There was no exchange with the audience but Tom did do an impromptu number Saturday night after welcoming the audience. I’ve never seen that before. Herman and Tom’s excellent band kicked right in!
I thought Tom looked and sounded great both nights but his voice may have been a tad better on Sunday. I’m not a critic but the range seems bigger and he held certain notes longer. I’m looking forward to January’s shows and hope he’ll have for time to interact.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
I saw Tom’s show at the MGM on both Sunday and Monday the 16th & 17th with the 17th seeming a lot better, although I don’t care for the purple suit. I wish he’d sing Something ‘Bout You Baby, I Like and Say You’ll Stay Until Tomorrow, two of my all-time favorites. How do we get suggestions to him?
December 20th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Peggy, you can write to his website. We kind of doubt he’ll resuscitate his country music era. (But, if he did, we’d love to hear Lady Lay Down.)
December 21st, 2007 at 12:01 pm
I saw Tom’s shows on Monday (17th) and Wednesday (19th). Both were incredible. As far as scheduling, it’s all about making money for the MGM. If they can have two shows per night, they obviously make more money. I thought Tom gave an outstanding performance. I liked Wednesday’s show better since the audience was a younger crowd and more “into it.” If you would like more audience interaction, go somewhere other than a venue such as the MGM — perhaps the House of Blues. You’ll see audience interaction. I loved when he did Git Me Some. One of my favorites is Walking in Memphis. Certainly wish he’d add that song to the setlist again. All in all, a fantastic performance. Great job Sir Tom!
December 21st, 2007 at 12:50 pm
As we said, Monica, we’re not arguing. We love it when a fan experience is positive. But we must strongly differ about the Hollywood Theatre. There is vast opportunity for plenty of audience interaction at the MGM — that’s one of the good things about that venue. We’ve seen him at the HOB (in LA & Chicago) and at Irving Plaza in NYC and find the big difference between the interaction at those venues and at the MGM is that, at the latter, the audience is not separated from the stage by a photographer’s pit. More than at many of those venues, at the MGM the audience is, quite literally, at the edge of the stage. This time, in the course of several shows, we saw only one real instance of audience interaction, on Thursday, the 13th, when a fan gave him a rare Jerry Lee Lewis album. The possibilities are excellent there and, this time, went totally unrealized.
December 21st, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Potawatomi, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Indian casino). This was a theatre that reminded me of the one at the MGM. The front tables were literally at the stage. Tom did interact some with the audience (2 nights), and one night signed some photos and album covers.
Mystic Lake (Indian casino in the middle of the forest… literally!!). This was a small venue, VERY informal. There was a pit between the front row and the edge of the stage. I was in the front and didn’t see ANY audience interaction (aside from his usual winks and smiles). The front row folks couldn’t reach the stage because of the pit. This venue appeared to be a last minute back room set up for the show, it was folding chairs — VERY informal.
Baltimore, Lyric Opera House. The usual theatre type seating. Didn’t have great seats for this one. Tom had an opening act (Tower of Power). They were good and got the audience warmed up and READY for Tom. There were a lot of folks coming down to the stage and a lot of dancing. He did interact some, but he was above the audience, not at their level. It was also humid beyond belief and he was soaking wet. I’m not sure how he made it till the end without passing out from dehydration. But good venue for sound, not really for intimacy.
American Music Theatre, Lancaster, PA. Also usual theater type seating. Good sound. Good view. Standard show. No interaction that I recall (but this was a while back now & I’m OLD !!)
MGM Grand: Sometimes (several) I’ve seen audience interaction; other nights, not so much. I think the OPPORTUNITY for interaction at the MGM is the best, and it is a GREAT venue! Tom seems to feel very comfortable there.
Maybe Tom has moods (like we all do) and his level of audience interaction is related to that. I’ve wondered if he’s just plain tired or is he tired of us (the fans) constantly wanting something from him. It does seem like there has been less and less participation on his part over the last two years (from what I’ve seen anyway). But that maybe just at the shows I’ve seen….
December 21st, 2007 at 11:58 pm
No I did not get to see Tom this year. I wish i did. Maybe in 2008. Merry Christmas to all and a happy new year to all Tom fans and this site.
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Hello, I saw Tom on December 12th at the MGM. My 1st time seeing him in person. I had a excellent seat where I got eye to eye contact (that was cool). Anyway, I have been a fan of his since his tv show - (couldnt wait until Sunday nights to see him). I will be going to both of his performances at Mystic Lakes here in Minnesota in March and looking forward to it. If I ever get to meet him in person I am sure I will want to go to more of his concerts. I will have to comment on what Renn said. I have to agree - I think Tom may be tired sometimes. It takes a lot outta ya to perform, travel and always be ‘ON” for the fans. I still love him and yes I have to admit I kinda want something from him too… to meet him? say hi? Happy New Year !!!
January 4th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Hi all. I am late with this post. It has been crazy for me. Going to Vegas and then leaping right into the holidays. It was sooo worth it though. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!!!! I saw Sir Tom Dec. 13th through the 16th. I loved every single minute. He and his band were on fire. I though that Sir Tom looked and sounded amazing!!!! I had so much fun. I found it very hard to stay in my seat. It was wonderful to see some great friends and have the opportunity to meet some new ones. On Sun. night the last night for a couple of us in Vegas. My girlfriend and myself had the remarkable privilege of meeting Sir Tom. As always he was gracious and and very sweet. He was kind enough to stop for us and agreed to the wonderful opportunity for us to have our photos taken with him !!!! Needless to say we were over the moon. It was short and sweet. I wished Sir Tom a merry Christmas, and he cupped my hand and said, “A Merry Christmas to you, dear.” We thanked him for the photos he so graciously allowed, and assured us that it was no trouble. What a wonderful Christmas gift indeed.