Tom Jones International

Here’s the LA Times’ take on Tom in Las Vegas. We’re told that the Las Vegas papers had ads for the show with Kaye Ballard in very large type and Tom featured in comparatively small type. What amazed us, though, was the reference to That Ol’ Black Magic. Maybe it’s true? The more things change, the more they stay the same. We wonder what this reviewer — were he to revisit Tom’s show today — would say about Tom’s “pleasant, well-placed singing voice.” The photo is of Tom with his newly signed Flamingo contract in 1968. It’s the one we put on his card opening night.

Singer Tom Jones In Las Vegas Debut

By John L. Scott/Times Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS — Tom Jones, singing son of a Welsh coal miner, struck gold at the Flamingo Hotel when he made a most impressive Las Vegas debut before a crowd of critical locals who attend premieres with a “show-me” attitude.

The tall, ruggedly handsome young man from Britain held first-nighters in the palm of his hand with a dynamic, temperature-raising performance. As he bounced and wriggled his way around the Flamingo’s theater-restaurant stage (he’s almost as much dancer as singer) Jones had mink-clad matrons and mini-skirted maids screaming with excitement, something that hasn’t happened here since Robert Goulet made his initial Vegas bow.

Tom Jones told me several weeks ago: “I feel songs and the body just moves.” The curly-haired performer wasn’t speaking idly.

Man’s Voice

Because of his frenetic movements, Jones’ pleasant, well-placed singing voice may have been overlooked by some first-nighters, but males leaving the showroom after the premiere were heard to observe that “there’s a man with that man’s voice.”

With Russ Black’s orchestra, augmented by Jones’ group called The Squires, providing a wild, swinging musical backdrop, the welcome new addition to Las Vegas’ coterie of stars sang a varied program of ballads and jump tunes.

Most of these numbers were presented in the modern tempo, even “Danny Boy,” which might be considered heresy by diehard Irishmen, but which gave the tune a brand new, exciting dimension. Don Gibson’s I Can’t Stop Loving You, Delilah and Don’t Fight It,” (from Jones’ newest album), him million-sellers Green Green Grass of Home and It’s Not Unusual were distinct highlights of the program. Of course What’s New Pussycat rocked the Flamingo’s theater-restaurant to its foundation, and Shake gave the star plenty of opportunity to interpret the title.

Strange Choice

That Old Black Magic seemed a rather strange choice for a pop star’s debut program in Las Vegas, although I have no quarrel with Jones’ presentation. Land of A Thousand Dances proved to be a fine get-off number.

Jones’ musical director and arranger, Johnny Harris, gave almost as wild a performance as the singer and kept Black’s fine musicians on their musical toes.

Preceding Jones to the platform was comedienne Kay Ballard, who came on with the flu but delivered an amusing, sometimes hilarious performance in spite of her temperature.

Los Cabrera, an acrobatic act, opened the show with an amazing display of tumbling.