Well, this is really exciting. It's not often I get to be surprised by and discover new talent. The American entertainment scene is so over processed and over exposed there is little left to actually discover. I generally just end up reminding my readers of old favorites of mine that still deserve attention.

However, this gifted performer, Matt Goss, is from England and very few Americans including myself have ever heard his name before, which seems implausible given that he and his twin brother, action adventure film star Luke Goss (Hellboy, Death Race 2&3, Diary of a Hitman) were part of a pop/rock group in the UK which sold over 16 million records.

The group named Bros achieved a total of 11 top 40 singles and 3 Top 20 albums in the United Kingdom, making them one of the biggest acts in British music between 1988 and 1991 and at one time were outselling U2. They reached number one when "I Owe You Nothing" was reissued in 1988.

They weren't just one hit wonders either, singing other peoples songs. Often, boy bands were assembled by managers or record producers with an eye toward the predilections of preteen girls. Normally, the boys didn’t play instruments, but they sang in harmony and had some swoon-worthy moves.

Although Bros were managed by former Pet Shop Boys manager Tom Watkins,  Matt and Luke wrote their own songs, played all their own instruments and continued having hits throughout the late 1980s, including "Cat Among the Pigeons" and "Too Much", both which made UK #2 during 1988 and 1989. After taking huge losses financially due to early contract signings and a true savaging at the pens of their own once adoring British press as backlash to their overwhelming early success, you can flash forward twenty five years and both Bros have landed on their feet with solid and lucrative entertainment gigs. Luke Goss with a burgeoning acting career and Matt Goss with a solo songwriting career and a sweet weekend gig headlining at Caesars Palace Friday and Saturday nights and always to a sold out house.

Now I'm just going to tell you flat out that you will enjoy Matt's concert, whether you are a seasoned Vegas traveler like myself who has seen all the big shows, or a new Vegas vacationer looking for a real, old school Vegas entertainment experience. I love a big Cirque show, yes, but after a few days of these mammoth thousand seat auditoriums, I really do love the idea of relaxing in a darkened booth, in a cozy, little theatre with a drink on the table right in front of me and the performer himself within eye shot. Matt Goss' concert in the ambient venue The Gossy Room located in Cleopatra's Barge at Caesar's Palace is cozy, intimate, ambient and dynamic at the same time.

Matt Goss does a combination of classic romantic standards mixed with his hits from the UK and brand new solo music. Even if you don't recognize all the songs, there is no denying that you are hearing a world class vocalist with tremendous vocal range and intricate phrasing on a par with young contemporary song stylists like Maroon 5's Adam Levine,  Michael Buble' and Harry Conick Jr. as well as old blue eyes, Sinatra himself.  Funnily enough I was most impressed by a short burst of brilliant, Jazz/ska scat singing which briefly turned the room into a full on island party!  It was marvelously energetic and very impressively performed. I'd love to hear an entire  EP  with more of that youthful, bouncy, ska rhythm.

Goss's show in the aptly named Gossy Room really does try to provide a little bit of the old school glamor and charm we imagine was present during the Rat Pack days. Matt Goss pumps up the sun burnt Vegas crowd and celebrities in the house with a dynamite 7 piece band, two sexy back up singers and  half a dozen, hot, leggy showgirls who have been cast and choreographed by Pussy Cat Dolls creator Robin Antin.

I loved Cleopatra's Barge, the cozy venue which reminded me of sailing in a plush Disney Pirate ship like Pirates of the Caribbean, and I wouldn't trade the experience of seeing Matt sing in a small venue. I would love now to hear Matt Goss rich vocal styling in a larger auditorium. As he performs and jokes with the audience and his band on the intimate stage, Matt gives off an energy like a large caged panther, pacing restlessly, longing to stretch his legs, dance and move more and burst out vocally as he has in the not so distant past at the Royal Albert Hall. I could easily see Goss' show being just as successful in a larger more elaborate Vegas showroom/set , or in a classy New York night club of the same size.

I lived in Manhattan for several years and It's ironic I ate at a restaurant in the New York casino across the street from my hotel ,the MGM Grand, before seeing Matt's show because when I walked in I felt a very  strong NY swagger  about the place  and a bit of NY attitude.  I also sensed a strong NY/ European vibe which proved to be correct as Matt asks at one point in the show how many here are Americans and only a few of us raised our hands. Then Goss asks how many are Brits and the room swells with the applause of at least 50 per cent of the audience. I just think that's extraordinary, that we have kind of an English superstar performing right here in Vegas and yet very few people here in the US know about his fantastic voice.

Truly there is something for everyone in Goss' concert, the super sexy dancing “Dirty Virgins” for the men, for the ladies, Matt Goss - a smokin' hot performer with the most piercing, actually smoldering blue eyes you've ever seen and a nice, tight, talented band for fellow musicians and real music lovers like myself.

I got to experience something really special as well before the show which really sums up the glamorous, “eye of the tiger” energy Matt Goss brings to the Gossy room each night.

I was in Matt's suite before the show, when time and energy allows he hosts a small, mellow gathering of friends and assorted guests in his lofted 4bed 4 bath Penthouse suite at Caesars'. I got a chance to make "the walk" with him and his security personnel through the vast Caesar's Palace casino floor to the stage

I could barely keep up with him in my heels with a bum knee as well, but I won't soon forget the sweeping rush of being swept back in time, almost as if I was in a movie watching Sinatra or Dean make this same power walk through Caesar's Palace with such terrific magnetism, greeting the guests and waving as the fans parted to let this stunning gentleman sweep through the crowd.

I used to go to Vegas several times a year, and there are a few shows like “O” and my old friends Louie Anderson and Frank Marino that I must see over and over again to really get back into the swing of Vegas spirit and humor.

Now we go to the strip just once a year  for our Buzz Vegas Feature but I will definitely add my new friend, Matt Goss, and his concert at Caesar's Palace  to my personal Buzz list of “must see” entertainment each time I return. You and all your crew are invited, too!

Showtime is 9:30PM Friday and Saturday nights.

You can buy tickets for Matt’s show in person at the Coliseum Box Office in Caesars Palace or from the Ticketmaster website.

Stay tuned for my interview with Matt next week and also check out Matt Goss's website for news and updates at www.MattGoss.LA.  

*Middle photo by Ken Payne

*Bottom photo - Matt Goss in Las Vegas with Kimberly Katz