by Jason Ankeny
For many acts, the casino circuit is the kiss of death creatively, but in the case of Tom Jones the exact opposite is true -- amidst the neon lights, craps tables, and slot machines, he's at the top of his game, feeding on the energy and excitement to command the stage with a power and eroticism that are virtually unmatched. Recorded in Las Vegas in the spring of 1971, Live at Caesar's Palace -- his tenth and final gold record -- captures Jones at his bawdy best, offering a compelling mix of hits and covers while still managing to make time with the ladies between songs; riding high on the recent success of &She's a Lady,& he also samples smashes like &It's Not Unusual& and &Delilah& in addition to a vast range of material spanning from &Soul Man& to &Bridge Over Troubled Water& to &My Way.& The between-song stage patter is priceless as well -- for fans, this is an essential set.