I was never going to see Elvis play Las Vegas, so I settled for the next best thing in the shape of Tom Jones. Yes, Tom is a guilty pleasure. He’s been around for ages and still manages to produce the odd fluke hit every decade. Even if you don’t like him, you have to admire his tenacity and longevity.

This was my first Las Vegas show and I was very excited. Me and the Missus got to the venue with minutes to spare (thanks to the terrible traffic along the strip) and were ushered to our seats. Drinks were being served at our table so we got a couple of beers and some pretzels. Then the introductory music began and the curtains opened and there was Tom.

The gig was incredibly loud for a small venue such as the MGM Grand (it was much louder than the recent Musical Box show we saw) and it certainly rattled the bones. But we were there and were behind the music. We got what we wanted…all the old hits “Delilah”, “Green Green Grass of Home”, “It’s Not Unusual”. “What’s New Pussycat?” and newer tunes like “Kiss” and my personal fave “If I Only Knew”.

The performance was superb and for a sixty-four year old, Tom is in fine form. He still has “THE VOICE” and I feel lucky to have heard two fantastic vocalists in the space of a week, even though there are from completely different genres and generations.

We got very excited by the show and made lots of noise and cheered at the appropriate moments. Highlight for us was the point where a lady in the front row fanned Tom’s crotch with her drinks menu, much to the consternation of her husband.

As Tom said, “We don’t plan any of this, you know!”

Afterwards, an American fellow asked if I had enjoyed the gig, knowing full well that it was me and The Missus making all the hullabaloo in the row. I grabbed him by the hand, shook it fiercely and told him I was British and that I had been born to enjoy the show.

Oh well, another lifetime ambition achieved…what next, eh? 🙂

« »