Tom Jones - OVO Hydro 05/12/2021

There was a massive and historic era in the 1960s, which was known as the British Invasion, where many bands from the UK dominated the American charts, there were countless acts from England such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Spencer Davis Group, the list goes on.

However that doesnt mean only bands from England achieved success in America from that era, Scotland had Donovan and Lulu who scored many number 1s at the Billboard charts, whereas the participation of Wales during the invasion was a singer from a coal mining background called Sir Thomas John Woodward, better known as Tom Jones, nearly 60 years later he is still the first thing that people think of when Wales is mentioned.

Throughout his career he got to work with some of the biggest stars in the music industry, such as Burt Bacharach, Les Reed, Elvis Presley and the late great Janis Joplin, where he performed a memorable show with on "This is Tom Jones" in 1969.

At 81 years of age he is still active and announced a Surrounded By Time tour to promote his recently released album of the same name, and of course one of his stops was Glasgow at the OVO Hydro, the citys premiere live music venue. People from different generations were present, old and young, which gives you an idea that he is still a relevant figure after all these years.

Tom Jones was joined by English pop-country singers Ward Thomas, the twins delivered the perfect warm-up for the audience as they prepare to see one of the living legends in the business.

The lights went out to an enormous roar, and the phone cameras began to rise, then Tom Jones took to the stage and was greeted to a rapterous welcome.

Usually best is saved to last, but Tom Jones just started straight away, playing 2 of his best known hits "Whats New Pussycat" written by another legend in the industry, Burt Bacharach, and of course the song that made him what he is, "Its Not Unusual" the audience were off their seats cheering and dancing.

Noel Harrisons "The Windmills of Your Mind" and "Popstar" by Cat Stevens soon followed, with Tom singing in that distinct, powerful voice of his, which has literally aged like fine wine. "Sex Bomb" was the next song, which was one of his later chart topping tracks, released in the early 2000s as well as a cover of Talking Heads "Burning Down The House" that he recorded with The Cardigans, both charted high in the UK at the time and marked his comeback.

After performing covers of Todd Sniders "Talking Reality Television Blues" and Leonard Cohens "Tower Of Song", Tom Jones explained to the audience of his struggles not performing and forcing to reschedule his shows, he concluded "People ask me, what is it like recording? I reply, its great recording.... What is it like to be on TV?, its great to be on TV.... but for me, the road leads to the stage", a huge cheer followed and this illustrated how happy and relieved everyone is now that live music has returned, "Delilah" was played afterwards and the crowd were loving every bit of it, off their seats jumping.

Randy Newmans "You Can Leave Your Hat On" was next with Tom still showing that energy and determination since the start of the performance, "Oh Yeeeeahhh" he shouted, with everyone in the crowd shouting "Oh Yeeaaah" back.

After a short pause he said "Ladies and Gentlemen, from the late, great genius.... Prince", a cover of "Kiss" was played and an encore soon followed, with the audience cheering, dying to hear more.
Tom returned and finished the set with "Im Growing Old" by Bob Cole, Bob Dylans "Not Dark Yet", "No Hole in my head" by Malvina Reynolds and to round things off, Chuck Berrys "Run Rudolph Run", the gig ended with Tom Jones bowing to an ecstatic crowd, a very successful night all around.

Upon leaving the venue and waiting for a taxi home, a person in the queue said "What a voice, what a ****** voice", and he wasnt wrong.

They say age is just a number, but on this occasion, it truly was.

You can view a complete photo gallery of the concert by clicking on the link below...

http://glasgowmusic.co.uk/viewAlbum.php?albumId=72157720208192753

Review and Photography by Stewart Fullerton

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