Tom Jones, Germein @ The Drive, Adelaide 26/3/2024
It’s not unusual to have fun with anyone, but when that anyone is Sir Tom Jones it is a magical experience.
The Drive was the place to be on Tuesday night. Local artists Germein – sisters Georgia, Ella, and Clara Germein – warmed up the crowd with a six-song set. Championing their unique brand of indie pop, they powered through songs, including Thunder, Talking, Suitcase, and Sunshine. Their talent was palpable, and their energy and enthusiasm set the tone for the evening.
From the opening lines of I’m Growing Old, Tom Jones won our hearts. Here was a man, eighty-three years of age, openly acknowledging the elephant in the room as he sang, ‘I’m growing wise/ I’m growing, yes/ I’m growing old’. His hair was grey, skin wrinkled. He walked with a shuffle and owned it. He not only owned it, but he also killed it!
Over two hours, Jones demonstrated the reasons for his longevity in the music industry. Plucking gems from a sixty-plus-year career, he ensured everyone received the quintessential Tom Jones experience.
Not Dark Yet again touched on mortality and highlighted the everlasting richness of his vocals. Then Jones became nostalgic discussing his first single. Recorded in 1964, released in January 1965 and reaching number one on the charts in March 1965, it summarised his meteoric rise to stardom. It’s Not Unusual generated the first of many sing-a-longs. As did What’s New Pussycat? which followed.
A huge screen upstage projected a live feed intermixed with filters and pre-recorded footage, including that of a youthful Jones. It was a complete sound and lighting experience to match the calibre of entertainment.
The Windmills of Your Mind was a lingering, thoughtful moment that traversed into a re-imagined bluesy (and magnificent) rendition of Sex Bomb. The classic hits were by far the most well-received. Nevertheless, Jones was on fire all night.
As the evening passed, his ‘woos’ in between songs multiplied, his smile grew, and his mostly subdued dancing became animated. Sharing jaw-dropping stories about his friends Yusuf/ Cat Stevens, Elvis Presley, and Willie Nelson – ‘Willie Nelson is ninety… and I’m only eighty-three!’ he gleefully proclaimed in his Welsh drawl – generated delight from him and us alike.
We savoured Pop Star, Green Green Grass of Home, One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below), Across the Borderline, Talking Reality Television Blues with a sublime guitar solo, and I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall. Tower of Song was a compelling moment. It was Tom Jones singing Leonard Cohen. What more needs to be said?
However, the final four songs of the main set had many on their feet singing and dancing along. Delilah, You Can Leave Your Hat On, If I Only Knew, and Kiss were joyous!
If the concert ended there, it would have been more than enough. But Jones returned for a three-song encore that was a veritable cherry on top of an already highly satisfying experience.
One Hell of a Life book ended the introductory I’m Growing Old. While Strange Things Happening Every Day was ‘rock n roll with a little boogie-oogie on the side’. Johnny B. Goode wrapped up a stellar evening of entertainment.
Sir Tom Jones is a legend, a global phenomenon who continually challenges the notion that age is a barrier. His performance oozed charisma and talent and was simply delightful to experience.
Live Review By Anita Kertes