The Hollies - Concert Review

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, 13^th March 2001 - by Ann Smith

Wow - what a night, I can honestly say that I saw the best performance ever by The Hollies last night.

Carl Wayne has such a powerful voice.

The opening was fantastic with dark blue lights criss-crossing the stage as the boys appeared to thunderous applause.

All the hits were there and it was very funny when in the second song, Carl had a bit of trouble with the mike, the head fell off!!!!

The most powerful song of the night was Soldier's Song with a blood red background. Carl belted out the song with such power I could feel the hair on the back of my neck rising.

Alan Coates had two lovely songs, On A Carousel and Butterfly with the latter bathed in blue and white light. Brilliant.

Carrie Anne, Bus Stop, Just One Look, Stop Stop Stop - the songs kept coming - Peggy Sue Got Married with Buddy Holly taking centre stage backed by The Hollies…..Spooky.

Too Young To Be Married really showed Tony at his best with a lovely guitar solo.

Ian did his walk about amongst the audience with Carl taking over on keyboards till he got back.

When they did Yes I Will, Carl sang "I'll be true to Sue" for his wife, Susan.

We were also treated to two numbers from Carl's "MOVE" days - Blackberry Way and Flowers In The Rain and Ray Stiles thoroughly entertained us with a cracking rendition of Tiger Feet from his days with MUD which had the people on their feet clapping and dancing in the aisles.

The high note for me came after Carl made a dedication to Allan Clarke with The Air That I Breathe, which got a standing ovation.

Carl asked if we wanted more and of course we did.

Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress followed but we still wanted more and got it in the shape of He Aint Heavy, He's My Brother.

Instead of the customary high note to finish on, Carl, Ray, Tony. and Alan all came together for a lovely short rendition of the song, It's In Every One Of Us.

We weren't going to let them go but we had to of course.

My only regret is that me and my friend didn't get to see Tony at the stage door, we so wanted to meet him.

Thank you very much. Carl – Alan – Ray – Bobby - Ian and Tony for a lovely time at Nottingham. The concert will live in my memory for a long, long time.

Rob asked me to write this review of the show. It is the first time that I have done anything like it and I feel very proud to do it. I hope that I have done him and The Hollies proud too.

Ann Smith, Nottingham.

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