The Hollies - Concert Review

Lewisham Theatre, 25^th October 1997 - by Wendy Holt & Wendy Shepherd

The in-place to be on Saturday evening was the Lewisham Theatre where The Hollies were performing the first of a two night engagement. The theatre was sold out and almost all of the seats were taken as the band made their entrance with "Stay", this tour’s opening song. They went straight on to "Here I Go Again" and then "Yes I Will" before we had any chat from Tony Hicks. These songs all benefit from the extra harmony of Ray Stiles.

They might be 60s songs but they have a 90s sound. Tony introduced "I Can’t Let Go", which they hadn't featured in recent tours and then we had Allan Clarke mis-introducing the next song. He started praising Ian Parker for his keyboard skills which would be featured in the song only to be told by Tony that the next song was in fact, "Sandy".

This was performed admirably with Tony showing off his skills on the acoustic guitar. Then it was "Draggin’ My Heels", which Allan was referring to earlier by praising Ian, a song taken from the Russian Roulette album originally performed on stage when Denis Haines was on keyboard. Ian Parker showed his ability on the keyboards with this song, with Allan Clarke picking up the tambourine.

Bobby Elliott and Ian Parker left the stage at this point as Tony introduced "If I Were the Priest", a song recorded by Allan on one of his solo albums. Allan explained it was another song written by one of his favourite writers, Bruce Springsteen. Alan Coates and Tony Hicks provided harmony, this time on separate microphones because of the cold virus affecting Alan. Allan Clarke accompanied himself on acoustic guitar to a song which has strange words, nevertheless the audience were very appreciative.

We were treated next to a slightly different version of Stephen Stills’ "Helplessly Hoping". Ray added extra harmony, Alan and Tony stayed at their own microphones instead of joining Allan at the centre mike and Alan Coates strummed his acoustic guitar.

Tony introduced the next song as Allan Clarke left the stage. Alan Coates had been promoted to centre mike to perform the title track from the 60s album "Butterfly", together with Ray on bass and intricate keyboard from Ian. This was followed by the lively "I'm Alive" and then Alan Coates taking the lead for "On a Carousel".

To close the first half we had Alan Coates on banjo, Tony Hicks on mandolin and Allan Clarke on harmonica for the hand clapping, foot stomping "When I'm Dead and Gone". The first half passed all too quickly, whetting our appetites for what was to come.

The second half started with the Supremes hit "Stop in the Name of Love", a song first performed by The Hollies in the 80s, then straight on to one of their own songs, "Jennifer Eccles". After this the new audience participating version of "Just One Look" and then the Ian Parker walk-about version of "We're Through" when he ventured out into the audience playing his accordion, entertaining everyone on the way. The bets were on whether he would make it back on stage in time for his brilliant keyboard solo. This night he made it - just! He does like "living on the edge"

“What goes around, comes around” is Tony's phrase for introducing the next song - "Bus Stop", livened up with the addition of Ian's accordion. Allan Clarke gave his usual explanation of Buddy Holly being on stage before doing "Peggy Sue Got Married". This was followed by three more Buddy Holly tunes, "Maybe Baby", "Peggy Sue" and "Rave On", given more depth with the addition of Ray's bass harmony. The only fault with Buddy Holly songs is they are too short.

The acoustic spot was ended with the now familiar version of "Look Through Any Window" with fabulous guitar work from Tony and Alan before going straight on to the hand clapping "Carrie Ann". Alan Coates and Tony Hicks then changed sides and instruments for the energetic (shortened version) of Stop Stop Stop.

At the second attempt (after a shaky start by Tony on the guitar) we had the spine tingling "Air That I Breath". This brought the audience to their feet shouting for more. The group all took a bow and then Bob went back to the drums and we had the fabulous "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother".

After more rapturous applause the fans moved to the front of the stalls to dance through the rock ‘n’ roll spot.

"Great Balls of Fire" and "Lets Dance" were performed energetically before we went into the closing song, "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress".

The audience showed their appreciation for the individual members of the group as they all performed their solo spots in this song. Despite the viruses floating round on stage, all the songs were performed brilliantly and we came away with a feeling of having had a fabulous time and counting the hours to the next show. There was no better place to be on Saturday than the Lewisham Theatre.

Wendy Holt & Wendy Shepherd

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