The Hollies - Concert Review

St Albans Alban Arena, 26^th February 2003 - by Dick Evans

@@First tour date of 40th Anniversary year. First gig after Carl’s operation.

As the lighting dimmed, the backing intro of the opening number LONG COOL WOMAN came through the sound system, then through the ‘stage mist’ appeared the 5 musicians followed shortly, to a THUNDEROUS applause, by lead vocalist CARL WAYNE who straight away got the audience involved in the traditional clapping along with Bobby’s drumming. This set the theme for the evening and being a compact venue it was easy for Carl to strike up a rapport with the front few rows.

The high quality of music and tight harmony that we have come to expect was there right from the start as familiar favourites were belted out with sheer enthusiasm that a lot of modern bands could learn from!!!!!

JUST ONE LOOK and JENNIFER ECCLES came next and as I looked around the audience, which seemed to comprise of at least four generations, most of them as well as me were singing along.

The first of many guitar changes for Tony followed as YES I WILL and LOOK THROUGH ANY WINDOW were accompanied with the 12 stringer.

The Springsteen classic SANDY was then followed by an ethereal solo spot for Alan with BUTTERFLY backed by the ‘mini orchestra’ arrangement of Ian.

I’M ALIVE, WE’RE THROUGH, CAROUSEL and BLOWIN IN THE WIND all classic concert numbers with Carl’s own FIRE BRIGADE, again with the audience singing the chorus, brought the first half to a well deserved break.

The second half commenced with the new song HOW DO I SURVIVE and judging by the reaction of the crowd this would soon become a popular number with, hopefully, high sales of the impending ‘40th Anniversary’ CD.

SORRY SUZANNE and HERE I GO AGAIN came before Tony changed instrument to a “What the hell is that?” comment from Carl. “It’s a Sitar” was the reply and you instinctively knew that THE BABY was the next number.

With a few comments from Carl on the current World situation and possible war with the Middle East we were then treated to SOLDIERS SONG. This demonstrated just how powerful a voice and how much interpretation he can put into a song. This song, more than any other, showed that he has recovered from the operation of last year. It was superb.

Acoustic versions of GASOLINE ALLEY and TOO YOUNG TO BE MARRIED changed the mood before BUS STOP brought the audience back into singing mode. The solo riff in TOO YOUNG was more than worthy of the applause it received (good on yer TONY).

@@Another Move number, BLACKBERRY WAY, followed by CARRIE ANNE upped the tempo again, and then another instrument change for Tony. His comment as he slipped the banjo over his head “It’s back”. What must have gone through everyone’s mind being are we going to get the ‘long intro or the short intro’? Lo and behold the long one led us into STOP. STOP. STOP. By this time there was quite a bevy of beauties dancing in front of the stage.

The AIR THAT I BREATHE signalled that we were coming to the end of a very memorable evening but not before we were treated to Ray taking centre stage for TIGER FEET and then all joining in for I CAN HEAR THE GRASS GROW.

The No 1 from 1988, HE AIN'T HEAVY was the show stopper finale as the audience gave a very long and well deserved standing ovation. We were rewarded with one verse of IT’S IN EVERYONE OF US before the band left.

All in all for the first gig of 2003 this was well worth the wait from the original date back in November of last year, and it showed that all the professionalism, dedication and enjoyment is still there.

May you go on FOREVER. Thanks lads.

Dick Evans (40ish + fan in his 40th year as a Hollies follower)