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TOM JONES
+ Germein
@ Kings Park, Perth,
20th March 2024
(Live Review)

Review by Melanie Griffiths

Photos by Adrian Thomson (@_awii_)

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TOM JONES, Kings Park and Botanic Parks, 20/03/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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At the first Australian stop of his Ages & Stages Tour, Tom Jones leaned heavily into celebrating his longevity with a sold-out concert that was about reflecting on the passage of time and honouring the glory of what’s been forged.

Before the crowd took that trip down memory lane Perth artist Ullah performed a genteel set featuring acoustic folk songs before trio Germein came out. The sisters from Adelaide immediately perked up the energy playing pop-rock with harmonious vocals, catchy melodies and nostalgic undertones.

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GERMEIN, Kings Park and Botanic Parks, 20/03/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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GERMEIN, Kings Park and Botanic Parks, 20/03/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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One night in Las Vegas during the 1960s Elvis Presley invited a young Jones to watch a Chuck Berry show. So Jones went with the King of Roll ‘n’ Roll to see the Father of Rock ‘n Roll. Having Jones recount this anecdote and several others featuring legends of a bygone era like Dusty Springfield brings home how extensive the Welshman’s career has been.

Jones’s usual image of tailored suits, while crooning pop-jazz songs with suave moves has evolved. As he made his way out on stage, the body was stiffer and his opening track, a morose “I’m Growing Old” from his 2021 album “Surrounded by Time” confirmed that Jones knows he’s playing in his twilight years.

And while the hips might not be as smooth as 30 years ago, the voice remains rich with a resonant timbre and soulful delivery. It’s astonishing to hear his remarkable power even as he pivots to his first of two Bob Dylan songs “Not Dark Yet”, an introspective ballad on mortality with a heap of existential angst. Giving the opening song’s context, he unleashes “It’s Not Unusual” followed by “What’s New Pussycat”. This gave grey-haired fans reason to bop in their seats as he took one himself on a stool on stage.

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TOM JONES, Kings Park and Botanic Parks, 20/03/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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Backed by a band that provided the physical grunt to match his voice, Jones bantered displaying showmanship garnered from decades of smokey bars and in front of veracious admirers. A key aspect of Jones’s lasting relevance is his adaptability. Throughout his career, he has embraced evolving musical trends while staying true to his style. It may be why, by his admission, he is “the oldest person to have a number one album in Great Britain”.

“Sex Bomb” was reworked into a smouldering slow burn before transitioning into a blues-driven shuffle.  And Cat Stevens’s “Popstar” added a dash of peculiarity. His ability to own what was a set of covers into his style was impressive.

No matter the twist and turns of the songs from “Delilah” to “Lazarus Man” the crowd lapped it up. With Welsh flags held high and laughter ringing out after every one of Jones’s amusing asides.

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TOM JONES, Kings Park and Botanic Parks, 20/03/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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His songs followed two main themes: sexuality and legacy with a dash of emotional turmoil. Rather than lamenting about being past his prime, Jones fiercely embraced it with grace and wisdom. Stand-out song “Talking Reality Television Blues” saw Jones singing against a backdrop featuring American consumerism television footage. Delivered in spoken word like slam poetry it hit squarely from a man who has literally seen it all.

By this stage, people should have been on their feet yet by “You Can Leave Your Hat On” the crowd were stuck firmly to their picnic chairs. Even as the veracity of Jones’ 1994 Triple J Hottest 100 song, “If I Only Knew” unleashed on the crowd, fans stayed seated. Even to the very end. Honestly a criminal act given the powerhouse performance they were witness to.

Despite this Jones’ still looked chuffed closing his set out with a straight version of “Kiss” which lacked the production values of the Art of Noise version before coming out for encore. Finishing aptly with “One Hell of a Life” Jones summed up what a glorious life he’s led before ending it where it all began with Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode”.

4/5

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TOM JONES, Kings Park and Botanic Parks, 20/03/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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Check out Adrian Thomson’s (@_awii_) full gallery of this event HERE

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TOM JONES, Kings Park and Botanic Parks, 20/03/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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Follow TOM JONES
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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TOM JONES, Kings Park and Botanic Parks, 20/03/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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Press Release 19th September 2023 (below) HERE

TOM JONES
announces
‘AGES & STAGES’
Tour for Australia
in March and April 2024

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AMNPLIFY – DB