Yahoo News 'A testament to his enduring popularity' - Tom Jones delights yet another audience
A famous internet meme suggests that the onset of winter sees Michael Bublé emerge from his cave in readiness for the Christmas season.
It could be said that the onset of summer and balmy evenings in the UK sees Sir Tom Jones do likewise for his regular sell-out open air shows around the country.
Last Wednesday (June 26), saw Sir Tom’s fourth appearance in Scarborough at the Open Air Theatre, and he continues to sell the venue out, a testament to his enduring popularity and national treasure status.
Sir Tom Jones at Scarborough Open Air Theatre (Image: DAVE LAWRENCE)
Sir Tom’s reputation is built not on songwriting but in spotting the potential of songs. His instrument - his unique voice - means he can take the most unlikely of tunes and make them his own.
Between numbers he gave us insights into the songs being performed and the artists who he’d seen perform them and inspired him to sing them.
Sir Tom Jones at Scarborough Open Air Theatre (Image: DAVE LAWRENCE)
The Green Green Grass of Home was accompanied by a story of how much Sir Tom loved Jerry Lee Lewis and after first hearing his version of the song knew he needed to record it.
It’s not unusual (sorry) for Sir Tom to include some unlikely songs in his set, and Talking Reality Television Blues and If I Only Knew fitted that bill in Scarborough.
Delilah had the crowd singing so loudly, they could probably be heard over in the South Bay, and there were also splendid takes on Ry Cooder’s Across the Borderline, Leonard Cohen’s Tower of Song and Randy Newman’s You Can Leave Your Hat On – famously from the Full Monty - during which a couple of items of underwear were seen flying towards the stage.
Sir Tom Jones at Scarborough Open Air Theatre (Image: DAVE LAWRENCE)
After paying tribute to the “late, great genius, Prince” with Kiss in the final number, Sir Tom returned to the stage for a powerhouse version of One Hell of a Life that was joyous rather than maudlin.
The evening closed with an unexpected Strange Things Happening Every Day, the Sister Rosetta Tharpe gospel tune that helped pave the way for rock and roll, and Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode.
He may be eighty-four but Sir Tom clearly remains young at heart, quick witted and with a twinkle in his eye. His voice remains a thing of wonder, and I hope we’ll be seeing him perform for many more summers yet.
Sir Tom Jones at Scarborough Open Air Theatre (Image: DAVE LAWRENCE)
