WORDS AND IMAGES BILLY SEAGRAVE
All Music Magazine UK’s Billy Seagrave joined the fans at AO Arena Manchester for an evening with, Sir Tom Jones the living legend, and his ‘Ages and Stages” Tour. That is a testament to his enduring popularity and musical legacy. The tour, which spans six decades of his career, features a mix of classic hits and deep cuts, Jones delivers a powerful and passionate performance, showcasing his incredible full bodied baritone vocal range and charisma. That has not diminished with age, Now aged 83 it’s a testament to his exceptional career that he still captivates his audience throughout.
He shows his bold artistry and versatility, reinventing some of his old songs with new arrangements and genres, and covering songs by Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Terry Callier. He also engages with the audience, sharing stories and jokes, and receiving knickers thrown at him as a sign of affection.
Opening the set with “I’m growing old”, and “not dark yet”. However, some songs were always, going to be showcased, and we didn’t wait long, “It’s not unusual” and “Whats new pussycat”, began the singalong. These included “The Windmills of Your Mind”, “Kiss”, “Man You Can Leave Your Hat On”, “Johnny B. Goode”, “Great Balls of Fire” and more. Jones also played some rare gems such as “I Won’t Crumble with You If You Fall”, “Tower of Song” and “If I Only Knew”.
The production value for each show was also impressive. The stage design was simple but elegant, featuring a large screen behind Jones that displayed images related to his songs or personal stories. The lighting effects were stunning, creating different moods for each song. The sound quality was excellent, ensuring that every note was heard clearly.
Overall, Tom Jones’ ‘Ages and Stages Tour’ is a must-see event for any music lover. It is an opportunity to witness one of the greatest singers of all time perform live for one last time. It is also a celebration of his remarkable career that has spanned six decades and touched millions of hearts around the world.
The tour is a celebration of his life and music, and a testament to his enduring appeal and talent. The show lasts for almost two hours. If you are a fan of Tom Jones, or just want to witness a musical icon in action, you should not miss this opportunity to see him live.
Set List.
1/ I’m Growing Old
2/ Not Dark Yet
3/ It’s Not Unusual
4/ What’s New Pussycat
5/ The Windmills of Your Mind
6/ Sexbomb
7/ Popstar
8/ Green Grass of Home
9/ One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)
10/ Talking Reality Television Blues
11/ I Won’t Crumble with You If You Fall
12/ Tower of Song
13/ Delilah
14/ Lazarus Man
15/ You Can Leave Your Hat On
16/ If Only I Knew
17/ Kiss
Encore
18/ One Hell of a Life
19/ Strange Things Happening Every Day
20/ Run Rudolph Run
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