The Hollies - Concert Review

Manchester Bridgewater Hall, 16^th April 1999 - by Bryan Scott (17)

When we arrived at the Bridgewater Hall, we were greeted by a mass of people, all chatting enthusiastically about the night ahead. We made our way into the auditorium, found our seats, and started talking to people around us, some of whom we had never met before, and of course there were all the familiar faces from previous tours.

The lights went down, and silence fell upon the audience as the suspense built. The band came on stage, the lights came up, and they opened with Here I Go Again. I've never heard them open a show with this song, but it went down well.

Next up was Jennifer Eccles, with all three amazing voices, and Alan Coates' wonderful slide guitar solo. That Stratocaster of his has an incredible tone, and he uses it to great effect in many songs throughout the show.

This run of hits went on to include Just One Look, Sandy (the Springsteen classic, with another great solo by Alan) and Stay. Tony started the story of when they recorded this song, and told how the original version (Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs) was much slower than the speed they played it at. Then they went on to play it at the original speed. This was completely impromptu, but was very well done as usual. This led into their own version of the song, which I have never heard played quite so fast. It was brilliant.

Next up was a song that I had never heard before, After The Fox, which I think used the same technology as Peggy Sue Got Married, for the voice of Peter Sellers.

As Tony started to introduce Don't Let Me Down, Allan interrupted with that tremendous harmonica solo of his, "The Train" which received a huge round of applause from the audience. After that, Allan donned his acoustic guitar and Alan, Ray, lan and Tony gathered round microphones to add those trademark backing harmonies to Don't Let Me Down.

Following this was Not That Way At All. This is another new song to me (I'm only 17) but it was another that I really enjoyed. Tony played a slide guitar part for this song, which I have never heard him do before.

Butterfly, with its beautiful arrangement by lan Parker was next on the list, with Alan Coates’s amazing vocals being complimented by this year's stunning lights. Truly fantastic!

Tony picked up the banjo earlier than usual for the next song. A country-ish arrangement of Running Through The Night. How fast are that mans hands?

They ended the first half with two more hits, I'm Alive and On A Carousel, which included another great solo by Alan Coates.

Rise, by Herb Alpert, which used to be played at the beginning of the show, is now played at the beginning of the second half, with a spectacular light show to accompany it. This led straight into I Can't Let Go, another hit in both the past and the present.

More hits again, in the form of Yes I Will and Sorry Suzanne, which led up to the surprise appearance of King Midas in Reverse, which in turn gave Tony the opportunity to try out a guitar sound that I have never heard him use before.

On with more hits with We're Through, and Bobby’s drum and Tony's superb guitar introduction, and then it was the turn of Buddy Holly and The Hollies, for Peggy Sue Got Married. This is an amazing song, and thanks to the wonders of modern technology, it has been made possible for The Hollies to back another of my favourite artists.

Then it was on to another new song for this year, Paul McCartney's Blackbird. Allan Clarke stepped back for this song, leaving it to Tony, Alan and Ray. The vocals were wonderful, and Ray's bass voice really opened up the sound.

This led into my personal favourite, Look Through Any Window. The first time I heard them play the new arrangement of this song I was awe-struck. It still happens. This song really gives Tony and Alan the chance to show off their skills, and to be sat there in the audience when Tony takes over the solo, letting his Paul Reed Smith guitar really sing, it becomes clear why these boys have been in the business for so long. They're incredibly good.

Carrie Anne followed this, giving Tony and Alan the chance use their voices again, to great effect.

Stop Stop Stop, with it's almost oriental intro came next. lan Parker really can work wonders with those keyboards, and Tony's hands get faster and faster on that banjo! This was the first of the three classics they play towards the end of every show. The Air That I Breathe followed, and was itself followed by the ever popular He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. The applause after this song is always amazing, but being in Manchester, it just seemed to be that little bit louder.

Lets Dance started off the rock'n'roll set at the end, which included an unscheduled appearance by a security person asking everybody to go back to their seats. He was quickly ushered away by Allan Clarke, and everybody got up again. Go Allan!

A new addition to this part of the show is At The Hop. This was an instant hit with the crowd, who were on an amazing high ready for the final song, Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress. Allan introduced all the members of the band, who went on to show off their talents, all doing wonderful solo's. The song finished and they all came up to the front of the stage, all the while receiving rapturous applause. Then they went off stage and it was time for us to be on our way. It was all over far too soon.

It was a great concert and enjoyed by all, from my Dad to my nine year old brother. I can't wait until the next time.

Bryan Scott (17), Lymm in Cheshire

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