Tom Jones

Yes it is possible, discuss all your other favourite artists here.
User avatar
paul jh
Posts: 5382
Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 8:05 pm
Location: Washington DC USA

Tom Jones

Post by paul jh » Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:20 am

Here is my review of Wednesday's Tom Jones show at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC.

Unbelievable. What a show! And what a voice! :)

I would travel somewhere else to see that show again. It was that good.

:!: He did so many songs from the new album 24 Hours that I was literally in heaven. That is a great album. If He Should Ever Leave You (which you've probably heard on Radio 2 last autumn) was stunning (I love that song!), so were We Got Love and Give a Little Love and especially In Style and Rhythm ... all of them actually. I was one of the few in the audience that knew these songs. I loved them. You should get that album. HMV must have it on sale now. I love all the songs -- except for the U2 cover ...big surprise! Luckily for me he didn't sing it even though someone yelled it out.

He did all the hits but no Daughter of Darkness, Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow, or Without Love. :( The audience went wild with She's A Lady, Delilah, Help Yourself, and It's Not Unusual -- as well as his hits from the 1980s, which I don't know well. I only knew the '60s stuff and the brand new. :wink:

I was actually surprised he did The Green Green Grass of Home. But it's good for an American audience.

And he did (It Looks Like) I'll Never Fall In Love Again -- which is my favourite Tom Jones song. I wasn't expecting him to include it because of its tough range, so I was in shock. I couldn't believe it! He hit all the high notes perfectly. And he sang it standing still at the microphone stand with no motions. Just him and his perfect voice. He changed the melody ever so slightly and didn't emphasize the low notes as I would have preferred. But it was still wonderful. I had tears in my eyes. Even though the audience didn't hoot and howl as they did for the up tempo songs, they applauded for what seemed like three minutes.

The band was just great. I love watching the four horns as they would do coordinated dance movements with their instruments -- as did the three background vocalists -- very retro and fab. The horns and the background singers did cool up and down dips on What's New Pussycat. 8) The keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums were also great -- and just like the recordings which is important to me. They were the original arrangements and not some silly jazz version of a classic hit. The drummer did the exact riffs on If He Should Ever Leave You, which thrilled me! I love that rhythm track and the trumpet solo and piano riffs.

Also very important to me and most of you: every member of the band was dressed well in stylish shirts and if they wore jeans they were new and finely tailored. Tom wore a tuxedo with a open neck black shirt with shiny stripes. And also important: not one swear word in the songs or in his talks to the audience.

He did a segue of Fly Me To The Moon (swing version) with That Old Black Magic. As you know I can only hear Matt Monro sing fmttm, but tobm had some Louis Prima elements which were ace. He also did a blues song, and a boogie woogie number with the excellent pianist.

Ladies threw their delicates onto the stage and he did his classic hand gestures and gyrations! He is almost 69, but it all worked perfectly!

He sang nonstop for over an hour and a half. Truly amazing!

While walking to the car I passed 30ish couples remarking on the fantastic and high quality of his singing and voice. Everyone loved it. Then I finally cried out (actually yelled) in pain when I sat down in my car -- after standing in one tight place so long. :cry: But it was worth it. I was so close to the stage. At one point he sang right close to my area. I was just a few feet away.

Did I mention that his singing was amazing?!?! :wink:

What a fabulous night! I am still so emotional about it and happy. :D

User avatar
ROBERT M.
Posts: 22576
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 5:58 pm
Location: Yorkshire, England

Post by ROBERT M. » Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:39 am

Enjoyed reading your Tom Jones review Jeff, and pleased you had a great time :)
"My Tears Will Fall Now That You're Gone,
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On" :(

User avatar
paul jh
Posts: 5382
Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 8:05 pm
Location: Washington DC USA

Post by paul jh » Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:44 am

Thanks! Sorry I went on and on. :oops: I wrote parts of it immediately after the show to send to a few folks while it was still fresh in my mind. But I'm still basking in the afterglow of this magnificent concert. :D

User avatar
Marian
Posts: 20956
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 3:02 pm
Location: Reading. Berkshire.

Post by Marian » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:41 am

Excellent review Paul. Pleased to hear how much you enjoyed the show.
Did Tom perspire a lot? :o :o I don't suppose I need to ask. :lol:

Marian :wink:

User avatar
Lena & Harry Smith
Posts: 21514
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:05 am
Location: London UK

Post by Lena & Harry Smith » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:27 am

Well, that was a great review Paul, and so pleased that you enjoyed the show so much.
There's no nicer feeling than coming out of a theatre or venue knowing that you have had an evening that was so worthwhile. :lol: :lol:

User avatar
mariana44
Posts: 16367
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:26 pm
Location: Kent

Post by mariana44 » Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:10 pm

Paul-that sounds a really great show--your description was just like being there--I have say that I love the music from his new cd too.
Mariana

User avatar
john
Posts: 20490
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2005 10:46 pm
Location: blackpool u.k.

Post by john » Sat Feb 28, 2009 3:42 pm

Great review Paul, pleased you enjoyed the concert. :lol:

User avatar
Gray
Posts: 2448
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:57 am
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Contact:

Post by Gray » Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:31 am

Cracking review. :)

User avatar
Gray
Posts: 2448
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:57 am
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Contact:

Post by Gray » Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:37 am

I bought the new Tom Jones album so I will let you know what I think, Jeff.

User avatar
Gray
Posts: 2448
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:57 am
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Contact:

Post by Gray » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:24 am

Excellent interview with Tom Jones on Michael Ball's Sunday program.

User avatar
Marian
Posts: 20956
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 3:02 pm
Location: Reading. Berkshire.

Post by Marian » Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:51 am

Was that when Tom mentioned Matt liked a drink Gray? My daughter heard it, but I missed it unfortunately. I expect it's available on the listen again feature though.
Marian :D

User avatar
ROBERT M.
Posts: 22576
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 5:58 pm
Location: Yorkshire, England

Post by ROBERT M. » Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:46 pm

Just listened to the show, Michael Ball said to Tom that one of his favourite singer's is Matt Monro, Tom said that when Matt went to Elstree studios to record the Tom Jones show, Matt was drinking pint's of beer from lunchtime, and continuing all afternoon. The show was recorded on that night, and Tom said he expected Matt to be virtually out of it by that time, but he said you couldn't tell Matt had been drinking that day at all :wink: :)
"My Tears Will Fall Now That You're Gone,
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On" :(

User avatar
Marian
Posts: 20956
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 3:02 pm
Location: Reading. Berkshire.

Post by Marian » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:07 pm

Thanks Robert, I wondered what Tom had said. I must listen to the show.
Marian :D

User avatar
Gray
Posts: 2448
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:57 am
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Contact:

Post by Gray » Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:19 pm

Hi All

I missed that bit. Eek. :shock:
Will listen again.

User avatar
Lena & Harry Smith
Posts: 21514
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:05 am
Location: London UK

Post by Lena & Harry Smith » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:34 pm

We reckon Matt is to be congratulated, drinking all those hours, turning up to give a magical performance and put a smile on faces. good on him. :)
Better than the other way round in cases we've heard of where a man is drinking, smiling, and the star performer with his pals and then goes home violent and abusive.

Post Reply

Return to “Your other favourite artists”