The Hollies - Concert Review

Heppenheim (In English), 20^th June 2004 - by Hans Rüger

It's "Hessen (a Federal state in Germany)-Day"in Heppenheim. Many thousands of guests are gathered in the small but very beautiful town the whole day. A of lot of this crowd is weighting in front of the enormous firm tent and desires admittance.

Around 7:00 o'clock in the evening the show begins with "The Tremeloes". This well known Band with it's harmonious singing and easy-listening songs immediately is bringing the crowd in a good mood. Probably about 7.000 People could have been there. I like " The Tremeloes". - first of all they can animate the listeners very well in order to sing along and clap their hands. Really good mood in the tent!

At 8:20 o'clock most of us could'nt wait any longer. The Hollies seem to enter the stage. I had been on my legs the whole day and the feet are feeling moderate with shoe size 97 (very very large).

"I'm Alive" and "Here I Go Again" starting the show. This two songs did not really bring fire into the tend. Just to warm up their fingers. "Jennifer Eccles" is the first well known song. Carl Wayne knows what public wants. He is able to animate for singing along and clap the hands. Certainly he is a great singer but a first class entertainer too! "On a Carousel", "Sorry Suzanne" and "Just One Look" meets the taste of the people very well. Everyone is singing along and many ones are dancing too.

Then there is the first change in the arrangement: "Listen To Me" is sung by Alan Coates (guitar and vocals), Ray Stiles (bass and backing-vocals) as well as Tony Hicks (Lead Guitar) and backing-vocals). First-class successfully! The Hollies in 2004 are able to use a lot of Variations. A bit like the "Eagles". How well the voice of Alan Coates really is, he immediately points at it in "I Can't Tell The Bottom From The top"! He does not singing as usual the Hollies Top-voice, Ray Stiles takes over this part. Alan's way of singing this song is outstanding! You have to be able to sing definitely brilliant, otherwise this song will be destroyed. But Alan's voice is definitely brilliant! Have seen him doing Lead-Voice at the first concert with Carl in Sindelfingen singing "Butterfly". That was really well done. But "I can't tell." today is absolutely great! Meanwhile Ian Parker replaces perfectly a whole orchestra with his Keyboard. Well done also Ian's scenes with the accordion. However, today he could not do his usual excursion with the miner's-helmet into the listener's-space.

The usual Hollies-arrangement with Carl at the Lead-microphone went on with "I Can't Let Go", "Look Through Any Window" and "Bus stop". Everything very well done. The new version of "Look Through Any Window" is a very pretty one. Very fine vocals and the guitar-work is first class.

But now Carl accelerates the speed. "Blackberry Way" is showing everyone the world class-quality of his voice! Today live on the stage much better, than long ago by the Move-Single. The listeners are inspired. But Carl just starts it: "Blowin' In The Wind" is a milestone in this concert. By the way of his golden voice Carl seems to have the lung of a horse. Enormous force, perseverance and interpretation-ability in his voice!

"Carrie Anne" and Allan Clark's ingenious "Long Cool Woman" follow. The crowd is raving! And Tony Hicks points with the Intro to "stop stop stop", how one can inspire the people. He only needs his famous banjo. His fingers are dancing over the strings of this banjo like a flashlight! My eyes could not follow. Now each one in the tent is in the very best mood!

Incidentally Tony with his Lead Guitar is the central core of the instrumental Hollies-Sound. One could say, that he is Peter-Pan using a guitar. When we are talking about the Guitars: Today with Alan Coates on his side Tony has a brilliant partner. So they are able to play complex guitar-runs.

"Tiger Feet" Ray Stiles is responsible for the deep sounds by bass. He plays not only a first-class Bass-Guitar - his way of singing is a very good assistance for Alan's Voice. So Alan has the opportunity to do Lead-singing.

I have not emphasized one yet, the soul the Hollies: Drummer Bobby Elliot. His way of using his instruments is smooth brilliantly. Every song brings new variants. He seems to have invented the drums. With big application and, nevertheless, decently he brings the incomparable Drive in the Hollies-Sound. A model for a whole generation of drummers. Once ago I saw him playing Drums-solo during a concert in Oldenburg (could have been 1977). It lasts ten minutes. A pleasure - I would have paid the entry money only for this! But still in 2004 he is one of the best Percussionists all over the world!!!

Now it time for the cigarette lighters. Carl plays harmonica "He Ain't Heavy". There is always running a cold shower about my back.! That's THE song of the Hollies. One can not excel this. The mood is nearly cooking - the crowd wants more of the sweet drug "Hollies-Sound". They are playing "The Air That I Breathe". A big hit not only in Germany. Once again time for the cigarette lighters.

The show ended quietly and traditionally with "It's In Everyone of Us". A wonderful conclusion of a very successful Performance!

What remains to say about the Hollies in 2004? First-class musicians paired with first-class vocalists. One can see and feel it: It's a joy for them to do their very best! The best presuppositions for a successful evening!

Hans Rüger, Wildeshausen, Germany

Songlist noted by Georg Koch

Setlist

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