The Hollies - Concert Review

Sunderland Empire, 29^th April 1999 - by Barbara Taylor

Despite the concert being rescheduled The Hollies played to an almost full house.

As usual they cast their magic over the theatre receiving enthusiastic applause, particularly for the much-loved hits that the majority of people come to hear. These were sprinkled with a number of songs from albums, with Butterfly performed by Alan Coates being particularly well received by the audience.

To the delight of the fans, Allan Clarke performed his own Don't Let Me Down, one of my own favourites, and another one of his own compositions Not That Way At All, a song introduced by Tony Hicks as "The Rocking Horse Song".

Ray Stiles has added to his repertoire of electronic wizardry. Peggy Sue Got Married with Buddy Holly and The Hollies has been joined by After the Fox with the voice of Peter Sellers.

Tony took the load vocal on the 1966 B-side of I Can't Let Go, called Running Through The Night, and with Alan Coates did a very good version of Paul McCartney's Blackbird.

All too soon we're into rock and roll mode and the full-bodied version of Long Cool Woman.

It's always good to see so many people give the boys a standing ovation after all these years.

Thank you Hollies for another great night and particularly to Allan, given Jeni's health problems.

By Barbara Taylor

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