September 25, 2022

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Sir Tom Jones returned to MGM's Center Stage after last playing at the venue in 2016. 

 

Jones may be 82 years old now, but his voice and charisma are still in top shape.  Opening the show with the self-reflective song, "I'm Growing Old" Jones realizes that he is on the back nine of his career. 

 

However the second song, a cover of Dylan's "Not Dark Yet" let the audience know that he isn't quite finished.  

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He then opened the flood gates and came out rocking with two of his biggest hits, "It's Not Unusual" and "What's New, Pussycat?" to the delight of the fans.

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Jones remained seated on a stool at the center of the stage for the entirety of the show.  He told the audience early in the show that he was "using a stick" because he has to get his hip replaced.  He noted that the doctors told him his hip was bone on bone and that he needed surgery soon.  He told him, "it will have to wait, I'm coming to America."

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"Popstar," "Green, Green Grass of Home" and "One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below) were all played in the middle of the set.   Jones was talking about how he loves Bob Dylan songs when a woman screamed out from the audience.  Without missing a beat, Jones said, "Is that my mother-in-law?  Even though she's passed, she is still calling me from the grave!"

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"Delilah" had everyone singing and swaying along in their seats.  However, "Lazarus Man" totally slowed down the momentum.

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Fortunately things picked back up with a great version of "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and Prince's "Kiss."

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Afterwards, Jones noted that he would normally leave the stage and then come back for a few more songs.  Due to his hip problems, he said "I'm staying right here."

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Rounding out the show were some old school rock and roll songs that included "Strange Things Happen Every Day" from Sister Rosetta Tharpe, "Johnny B. Goode" from the artist who Jones said Elvis told him was the true king of rock and roll, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire" which closed out the two hour spectacle. 

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Jones said that he plans on coming back next year with a new hip so there will be a whole lot of shaking going on.  I'm sure the sold out crowd will be here when he returns.

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Review and photos by Greg Drugan

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