This Is Tom Jones Volume 2: Legendary Performers

Back in the good ol' days of TV, critics and viewers would say How come Milton Berles' gotta be in every scene? Comedy to him was an uncontrollable impulse - we appreciate and understand that today. Years later, on This Is Tom Jones, folks remarked that he was too dominant on the medleys done with guests - yeah, he shoulda laid back just a taste in harmony mode not in call-and-response mode. But how can you contain a guy whose love of music, whose artistic exuberance defied all laws of physics. Forgot to add, the man who brought Opera to Pop, or at least continued the tradition started by Jackie Wilson, Roy Orbison, and Jay Black. (Elvis Presley had his moments, too, in this endeavour). They really could have saved on amplification.
For years me and a good buddy ruminated on the great void created by *zero* VHS representation of the super-dude from Wales. Well, it's happening now, and upon reflectioon, it's fantastic that the medium of DVD has captured it.
Here we go, with Part Two. The show itself is flawless, all aspects Emmy-worthy. The audio and video chromatics are spectacular. Technical direction is a lesson to those "youngers" with the hyperactive edit command. Keep three cameras rolling and....guess what? Point a lens at that big blon' babe in the second row. {Sexist, yeah, yeah.....).
This package has many highlights: for the unitiated, beyond-belief renditions of "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "It's A Man's, Man's Man's World" [finale mini-concert pieces]; a time-capsule encounter with a 34 year-old "Killer" [aka JLL] - and maybe the best "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" you've ever heard by this Sun Records originator. Jones' admiration for the Ferriday Fireball is obvious.
Seems that the producers focused heavily on those names which have obviously time-traveled well: Sammy Davis, Jr. [what an incredible impression of Billy Eckstine!]; Tony Bennett; Liza Minelli; Pat Cooper; Jerry Lee Lewis; Johnny Cash.
The great Bobby Darin is in a folky mood, in a pre-Springsteen era denim outfit, looking relaxed as "Bob Darin". He does a nice solo shot playing a typical-for-the-time introspective beat ballad - it's okay - wonder what a duet on "Dream Lover" might have sounded like, though.
Diahann Carroll is absolutely stunning - all she had to do was stand in the spotlight for three minutes and no one would have objected, but she does a nice arrangement of "Traces"/"You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling".
Comedy relief by the Ace Trucking Company, sporadically hilarious, with one thud; David Steinberg - apparently found his niche as big-time Producer. At this time he was lower than low-key "hip" comedian for the Woodstock generation - minus zero mirth content.

Was so excited when I ordered these, but was disappointed after viewing! The credits on several episodes list performers that are to be on the shows, then they do not appear! Whats with this? It spoiled the entire disc!

I am pleased I own this latest DVD set. Tom sings a few incredible songs...."I Can't Stop Loving You", "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Without Love", "I Who Have Nothing" and "Mr. Bojangles" while Sammy Davis dances behind him!

The sound and picture quality was not as good as I expected. I give those two items 3 stars..."average". Tom's vocal abilities were incredible. This is an easy DVD set to review. If you are a life long Tom Jones fan...this is a must purchase.

I am hopeful they release at least one more DVD set from his old TV series....so that I can watch him sing "I'm Coming Home" one more time....before I die myself! He sang it on that show but they have not included it in the previous three DVD sets they have already released?

Hey Tom....give us old "ballad fans" what we all want! You singing the best ballads of your career at the top of your (vocal) career!

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 12 reviews  4.3 out of 5 stars