LIVE AT CAESARS PALACE, 1971

Original Released on Double LP London 2XPAS 71049/50

(US, November 1971)

"Live Caesars Palace" is recorded from Tom Jones 1971 shows, just as he was reaching his pinnacle as a live performer. In many ways this live recording also marks the dawning of a new era when he decided to make live performance his primary concern foresaking much of his career as a recording artist. He would now focus his energies exclusively on the U.S. and in particular Las Vegas. By the turn of the seventies Tom was injecting a little more soul into his sound and this is perfectly demonstrated by the contents of this album. With his regular backing band and aided by his backing singers the Blossoms, Tom's voice was tearing through the concert performances with great dynamism and energy. Many of his well known hits are in the form of a medley (Side 4) at this point in time - "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", "Love Me Tonight" and "It's Not Unusual" for example, but it's the collection of covers where the true strength of this album lies. "Dance Of Love", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "My Way", "God Bless The Children" and "I Who Have Nothing" (amongst others) are simply sensational with his wonderful hard edged, soulful vocals. "Live Caesars Palace", in retrospect, is one of the great live albums ever released. It's underated, that's for sure, but it's brilliant nonetheless. Be quick and add this magnificent album to your collection.

Depois de “Live At The Talk Of The Town” (Junho 67) e “Live At The Flamingo, Las Vegas” (Outubro 69), este é o terceiro album ao vivo de Tom Jones, gravado uma vez mais em Las Vegas, na primavera de 1971. Salvo honrosas excepções, nunca fui grande entusiasta de albuns ao vivo, sempre preferi o rigor das gravações em estúdio. Esta é uma dessas excepções, um duplo album que nos consegue transmitir toda a força de Tom Jones em cima de um palco, numa altura em que o cantor enveredava em definitivo pelas actuações ao vivo, sobretudo no grande carrocel do espectáculo chamado Las Vegas. O CD reeditado pela Varese apresentava um som aquém do vinil original, sobretudo (e como de costume) ao nível dos graves. Esse problema foi resolvido aqui pelo Rato, bem como a amplitude da estereofonia. O resultado é um som cheio e profundo, melhor do que o do vinil ou do CD original. Aproveitem!