TOM JONES

At Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Place (at 15th Street) tonight and tomorrow. Showtime is 9 p.m. Tickets are $75.

SEX was in the air.

At Irving Plaza Wednesday, Tom Jones’ first New York club date in a decade, the wailing Welshman delivered a panty-peeling concert that made the decidedly female audience squeal and squirm in delight.

For a 64-year-old whose biggest hits like “What’s New Pussycat?” and “It’s Not Unusual” date back to 1965, the concert was a tribute to Jones’ remarkable defiance of age and time.

Trading in his usual tuxedo for a more casual black-on-black untucked shirt and slacks combo, Jones displayed his dark chest fur with a three-button exposure.

It would have all been a study in camp if he were a shell of his former lounge- lizard self, but the years have vindicated him and his concert reflected the scope of his songbook.

With his manly baritone, he worked rock tunes, R&B, dance, country, pop and even numbers with a techno edge. Steering clear of delicate inflection and introspective reflection, he gave the girls sledgehammer bombast.

Pelted with frilly lingerie – and even a pair of white boxers – Jones was clearly as thrilled to be in New York, selling out a respected rock club, as the devoted were to be there watching him.

The program was designed like a one-night stand. He opened with his new theme song, “Tom Jones International,” then dished a blues power ballad that said he was sensitive.

Next came “She’s a Lady” to express his respect for women, followed by “Delilah,” which he twisted into a pub drinking song to show he’s a guy’s guy. Jones then went in for the kill with “What’s New Pussycat?”

“Pussycat” proved to be such a turn-on for the ladies up front, the frenzy evolved into a fistfight between two women who had to be dragged from the show by security.

While Jones didn’t acknowledge the pussycat-fight, his wry smile said, “Yes, I still have it.”

And he was right.

The show still had plenty of post-“Pussycat” juice, which he displayed during his cover of Prince’s “Kiss,” Randy Newman’s “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” “Sexbomb,” and of course “It’s Not Unusual” – each building to vocal orgasm from Jones in a concert of aural sex.