Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Patient: Doctor, doctor, what’s wrong with me? My chest has gone all hairy, I feel like Tom Jones.
Doctor’s reply: That’s not usual!
What is unusual is the fact that a 77-year-old can still fill up a concert venue across the globe and command the stage with his presence and as strong a vocal as when he was in his prime.
Jones’s powerful voice, which has been described as a ‘full-throated, robust baritone’, has lost none of its edge although he cuts a more conservative figure in a buttoned-up blue shirt, unlike the days of old when he would show off a hairy chest at every opportunity.
He may sway more than strut nowadays, but wow, he still belts out the hits with gusto and there’s no mistaking the superstar aura around him. But there’s no pomp and swagger. In fact Friday night’s show felt like an intimate affair.
He spoke about his late wife’s favourite song, a 1947 hit by blues legend Lonnie Johnson. ‘Tomorrow night, will you remember what you said tonight? Tomorrow night, will you be with me when the moon is bright? Tomorrow night, will you say those lovely things you said tonight?’
My heart ached for his loss. Jones was married to his teenage sweetheart Linda from 1957 until her death in 2016, despite his many well-publicised infidelities.
The Welsh singer has sold more than 150 million records, earning a fortune along the way, with 36 Top 40 hits in the UK and 19 in the US, including It’s Not Unusual, Delilah, Green, Green Grass of Home, and the audience got a taste of a fair few and more besides.
He was backed by a tremendous band of musicians, one of the tightest I’ve ever seen assembled, with guitar, keyboards, drums and brass instruments too numerous to mention allowing for an easy flow from rock ‘n’ roll, 60s pop and a musical ride of genres including R&B, a film title tune, country, dance, soul and gospel.
I even enjoyed watching the show through the petals of a Welshman’s daffodil headgear. As the great man himself, sang: you can leave your hat on.
This was Sir Thomas’ first time in Bahrain and he told the crowd that it would not be his last ‘God willing’. As far as the concert-goers were concerned, we were united in hoping that will be the case.
Well done to the EDB for organising another stunning show as part of its support to the annual festival. Although, to quote Tom Jones’ old pal, the late, great Elvis Presley, ‘I just can’t help believing’ the veteran star would have been better suited headlining our F1 party … let’s hope Enrique lives us to his top billing.
