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 Jones Plays The Mountain Winery And Our Valley Girl (Rhondda Valley, That Is) Was There
Friday, July 18th, 2008
Our dear friend Shirley — a Valley Girl from the Rhondda — called after tonight’s concert to file a report. We appreciate it so much and want to thank her and say “hi” to the other fans we know who were there. We missed being with them, but reading this it feels like we were there.
The Mountain View Winery is a beautiful venue, set high on a hill with a breathtaking view of the valley below. There are several levels of seating from that for season ticket holders to the GA seats on benches at the top of the hill. The stage was small — about half the size of the MGM — so the band and singers were kind of crowded.
There was a comedian on before Tom. His name was Mark Butler. He was very funny. He did an audience participation act and the audience responded really well.
Tom was absolutely great. It was the same set list as it’s been since 2006 and he didn’t talk to anyone from the stage but there were loads of panties thrown and lots of people calling out to him. That’s fine, but when he is singing a ballad, the audience should really be still and show some respect.
Other than remarking that there was a full moon, all of Tom’s patter between songs was as usual. But there was more hip-swinging than I’ve seen in a long time. He was really, as we Taffys say, “hepped up,” and his Welsh accent was very pronounced this evening.
He was wearing a navy blue suit — same shirt — instead of a red or white jacket. Those were probably too hot, as we read here he was sweating like crazy the last shows Sunday and Tuesday in San Diego and Orange County, respectively. (Editor’s Note: The photo above of Tom in San Diego was sent by Nancy. It clearly illustrates the point made in the review of that show.)
I was seated on an aisle but it was difficult to see when people came up front to dance. There was room by the seats to dance and security nicely made people go back. The audience, I must say, was of all ages. Lots of people in their 20s, especially up front.
I’ve seen this exact show probably more than two dozen times but what keeps me coming back is Tom Jones — his singing, his very presence. I’ve been seeing him since 1962 in Wales and, when I see him now, I am reminded of Tom as he was then. To me, he’ll always be that Tom Jones. And, tonight, when I listened to him, I was homesick. But I was also very happy.
On the way out of the car park, everyone was tooting their horns at me. I thought it was because they thought I was holding up traffic. But, when I rolled the window down to see what was causing the fuss, we realized the people were shouting and pointing because they were noticing my license plate (right, obviously).
—Shirley
from amazon.com. Ships worldwide Nov. 25!
July 18th, 2008 at 1:59 am
How nice to read a Welsh girl’s take on the show. You are so right that people should show Tom the respect he deserves when he is singing. I also thinks it’s about time the panties stopped flying. I’m sure Tom is fed up with it. Love the license plate. That would cost a bomb in Britain.
July 18th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Thanks, Shirley, for a great review. I love it when Tom is “hepped up”, too.
It makes me so happy to know that Tom is happy and having a great time doing what he loves to do. And I love your license plate!
July 18th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Honk Honk Honk - love your license plate
July 18th, 2008 at 9:50 am
I love the license plate and the plate holder.
Thanks for the lovely review. I know just how you feel. Sometimes I ask myself why am I seeing the same show over and over and over again? It is because every time Tom makes it seem like the first time. TJ is that good and has that special magic!
July 18th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Many smiles and thanks to the “Welsh girl!” Loved reading your thoughts on everything, but am dismayed again reading about those rowdies who spoil the show for others. Rudeness seems to be an ongoing malady in these United States. Let’s bring back respect for our performers!!!!!
I’ll bet your license plate is the one and only, and Tom Jones’ shop might want to see it!!;o))
July 19th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
“I’ve been seeing him since 1962 in Wales and, when I see him now, I am reminded of Tom as he was then. To me, he’ll always be that Tom Jones.” Shirley, you hit the nail on the head for me as far as why so many of us choose to see the same show over and over again. Do we wish the set list was changed more often? Absolutely! Would it be great if Tom interacted with the audience more? You bet! That being said, I found it interesting when the question of the month for July on this site was answered, that so many commented on who they wished they would have seen in addition to favorites they have seen. I had the ultimate pleasure of experiencing an Elvis concert on two glorious occasions, and wish that everyone who admired him could have had that same experience. On the other hand, I am saddened that I was never privileged to have seen Frank, Sammy and especially Dean. If given the chance wouldn’t we all want to relive the glory days of real entertainment, by these kick butt, in your face, we will show you how it’s done entertainment gods? Tom Jones brings the excitement of this type of entertainment history back into our lives every time he steps onto a stage, and he reminds us that he continues to write page after page for us to savor. Tom Jones has my deepest appreciation, and utmost respect as a living legend and I will also, like Shirley get a nostalgic feeling of what was, is, and will be for Mr. Jones every time I watch him perform. I’m thrilled to be around to soak it all in.
July 19th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
An additional thought comes to mind upon addressing the importance of the history of Tom Jones. I know this has been mentioned on this site many times before, but, the opening video????? If the flying sheep are a Welsh thing, fine leave them in, BUT a retrospective of this man’s phenomenal career is sorely missing.
July 20th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Audrey: Your astute comments are always welcome. But, we have to say, we love that video. Can you guess why?
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Could anybody PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE email me the setlist at ajax22@gmail.com? I am trying to figure out what song he did before I like the way you move. Something about throwing up/raising your hands and the peace sign. Thank you, Silviu
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Silviu: The song is Resurrection Shuffle, a song Tom did in his show in the early 70s. It’s included on ths 1971 album, Live At Caesars Palace. The setlist now is: Raise Your Hand; Help Yourself; He Stopped Loving Her Today; 200 Pounds; End of the Road; Cry For Home; Here’s That Rainy Day; Fly Me To The Moon;Ol’ Black Magic; Grandma’s Hands; Git Me Some; She’s A Lady; I’ll Never Fall In Love Again; Green Green Grass of Home; What’s New Pussycat; You Can Leave Your Hat On; Sex Bomb;It’s Not Unusual; Resurrection Shuffle; I Like the Way; Kiss..
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Thank you for that. By the way, if anyone was at the concert they prolly remember me. i was one of the dudes waving all the Tom Jones vinyls around, with the cross-shaped album cover “shrine” heheh
July 27th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Thank you, Moderator! I had no idea of the 1971 album. Is it available today? Caesars Palace holds some beautiful Tom memories for me! I would love to get this recording…
July 27th, 2008 at 11:35 am
TJMoves: You can find a good selection of Tom’s music on amazon.com
. We have the links to amazon, TimeLife and eBay always on our site sidebar.