poppedmusic

Tom Jones at Sandown Park

Wednesday 27th July 2011

Having caught the tail end of Tom Jones’ set at the Isle Of Wight Festival we decided to go along and see the man himself play again, and this time there would be horse racing too! In a series of summer events taking part at race courses all over the UK Tom Jones was billed as the music act of the evening. We did partake in some betting of horses only to find we’d forgotten to bet on the only horse we’d chosen that actually won anything. But we’d had a posh picnic, we say posh because it involved Salmon and King Prawns as well as some of the pink bubbly stuff. Not something we indulge in often but this was a reasonably posh affair by all accounts even though we never actually made it into the Premiere Enclosure after all. So bets all placed and lost, and picnic lovingly scoffed it was about time for the main man to grace us with his presence.

Tom Jones is one of those National Treasures isn’t he? After our disappointment from Sir Elton John recently we were hoping that this would be the event that proved our golden oldies could still give it some, and he sure didn’t disappoint. From the get go he was happy and smiling and engaging with the audience. His band and his baking singers all looking happy and energised too. To be honest though the start of the set wasn’t quite to some of our tastes, well mainly mine it has to be said and that’s because I didn’t know the songs. I had gone expecting a full on set of classic T.J hits and I had to wait a bit for those. It didn’t matter though on the whole, he still rallied the crowed around him and it stretched back for quite some time. I felt a little sorry for those who weren’t so close as i don’t think the sound was brilliant or even loud enough (I hope I’m not going deaf!). Also the tv screens were quite badly out of sync with the sound which made it difficult to look at, and my eyes did wonder over to them on occasion when a tall person stood in my way.

When at last he pulled out the big guns there was a really great atmosphere. Mr Jones had wiggled his way through an hours set already and just when we thought it was going to come to an end he really took it up a notch. There is something a little off putting watching a man of his age wiggle about and take off his jacket in a seductive manner, well it’s off putting to me at my age anyway, but it was all in good fun and I did have a giggle, though plenty of ladies sure did have their hearts racing as they squealed in delight. I didn’t know that people still threw their underwear at him, but oh yeah they do, well they try to and it was a great giggle to watch as thongs went flying and landed on the heads of unsuspecting audience members. Deliliah was of course the biggest hit of the evening, and Tom Jones had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand, all joining in with laughs and singing. It really was quite loud at this point and I was thoroughly enjoying myself. He caused all kinds of heart problems amongst the older ladies of the crowd when he performed Sex Bomb and even the younger ladies probably felt a little flutter. He’s so charismatic and his voice is unbelievable. I have to say though that my favourite track of the night was his cover of Prince’s Kiss. I would have loved to have heard him play What’s New Pussycat too but I guess there just wasn’t the time.

A great afternoon and night was had by all you could tell by the big grins on people’s faces as they left Sandown park, some more merry than others and some even more so who were sharing their particular merriment by hugging the pavement with their faces! Woops. If you’ve never seen Tom Jones before or think he’s too old skool I promise you this: He is a great performer well worth seeing and is part of British musical heritage, you have to go, even if just the once.