The Hollies - Concert Review

Stoke Regent Theatre, 20^th May 2001 - by Dian Harrison

Even though this Hollies tour seemed to have been much longer than normal the last night, as usual had arrived all too fast. Back at Stoke, though not in the same theatre, where Allan Clarke had said his final goodbyes. Sad memories all round. The last night is always the best and the worst of nights. It is not just the group but the many friends we have made through meeting at the Hollies concerts that we are saying goodbye to till the next tour.

It was obvious as soon as the band came on stage that it was going to be a good night. The audience clapped and cheered as each one of them took their place, and once again the opening set brought the house alive.

Tony stopped to check the front row telling the audience that in Guernsey they had achieved a first – a lady on the front row who sat knitting all the way through the concert. Little did they know what was in store!

As each song came and went you could tell the band were enjoying the concert as much as the audience.

The audience were stilled as usual by Carl’s wonderful performance in ‘Soldier Song’ – it was like listening to a London Theatre performance as the power and passion came through.

All too soon the opening lines of ‘Flowers in the Rain’ struck up and it was time for the fans to join in and say thank you in our own way.

Planned from Guernsey, most of the first and second row had brought knitting which was taken out to be worked on. One by one, as the members of the band noticed, big grins appeared on their faces.

The first half ended all too soon with the Hollies own special version of Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowing in the Wind’.

On to the second half and Tony’s fingers were excelling themselves yet again with a wonderful guitar solo during ‘TooYoung to be Married’ and his own introduction to ‘Stop, Stop, Stop’. I have been lucky enough to go to concerts to see some of those guitarists considered “great” and it is about time Tony was ranked alongside them.

Ian had already made a friend in the audience during his usual trip around the theatre during We’re Through and by now the whole party of them were on their feet dancing. Very soon to be joined by the usual front row gang. By the time Ray came centre stage for ‘Tiger Feet’ the audience were on their feet and joining in. The applause at the end of ‘Long Cool Woman’ as each one of the band was introduced was deafening, soon to be stilled as the closing harmonies of “It’s in every One of Us “ rang out. I am sure I was not the only one in the audience with a lump in my throat.

When Carl took over from Allan we were all listening to see how he would deal with all the old Favourites, but now he has found his own path and his voice, which has such incredible depth and passion, has added a new dimension to the stage performance. The other members of the team ‘really look’ as if they are enjoying themselves and are matching Carl's’ skill with their own.

The Hollies are pure team work – and that includes the backstage team who organise and make the whole evening into such a polished performance – and such a team deserve to be on top.

And right at the top is where they should be.

Dian Harrison

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