Caught what I expected to be a bit of a snoozer-nostalgia show at the Imperial Palace in Biloxi Saturday night.
Backstory: I owe a large portion of my love of music to my mom. She always has some playing regardless of her location: house, car, beach...wherever she is, she's playing some music in the background. One of the earliest names I can put with this constant soundtrack is Tommy James and the Shondells. Mom had a "greatest hits" tape that she kept in the car and we (my sisters and I) were subjected to about 100 Million listens of this string of songs: Mony Mony, Crimson and Clover, Hanky Panky, I Think We're Alone Now, etc.
Since my dad passed, mom hasn't been getting out much and when I saw the TJ was playing a venue so close to home, I decided to take her over for the show.
I figured that we'd get a retread act with a resigned, county-fair level effort. At 70, the dude's voice is still top notch. The energy level of both James and the backing act (although not original Shondells, still obvious road-touring lifers) was contagious and you could tell that they were enjoying themselves. They launched into "Crystal Blue Persuasion" to open the show and had the crowd on their feet throughout.
James paused the show four songs in to tell a story to introduce an alternate version of "I Think We're Alone Now" (he played the original version later in the show as well): Apparently his first label (responsible for the bulk of his hits), Roulette Records, was a front for the Genovese crime family. The family member who ran the label was Tommy's primary point of contact since TJatS was the label's biggest act. He claims that they had a love/hate relationship and that he was surprised at how much he misses the guy now that he's passed away. The story of the band/label was written by Tommy in a book called "Me, the Mob and the Music" and is now being adapted for film*. The alternate version of the song that Tommy played is the track that leads into the closing credits as Tommy is having a last "conversation" with his mob-boss...uh, boss.
About 3/4 of the way through the show, TJ turns the band onto a groove/jam and hops off the stage into the pit area to give hugs, high-fives and take pics with anyone who wanted to join him. He walked back and forth across the stage front and took time with anyone who wanted to meet him (gave security fits with people hopping the rail to get into the pit.)
Finished glad-handing, jumped on stage for the last two songs. Came back for a three-song encore and then spent another two hours at the merch table signing autographs.
Impressed the hell out of me for a guy who could be coasting with any of his remaining peers. Best part was watching mom enjoy the show and get her dancing groove on. Found out on the ride home it was her first concert ever.
TL/DR: Go see these aging rock pioneers while you can. You'll get disappointed sometimes, but occasionally you'll see a performance worthy of their status in the annals of music.
*Note: the film is being produced by Barbara De Fina (Goodfellas, Casino, The Color of Money, etc)
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