The Hollies - Concert Review

Hull City Hall, 27^th February 2003 - by Wendy Holt & Wendy Shepherd

We were more nervous than excited when we set off for Hull for what would be our first concert of the 40th anniversary tour. It had been so long since we had been to a theatre concert and so much had happened to so many people that we had shaky hands rather than butterflies in the tummy. We reached Hull without any problems, only to find ourselves almost entering a car park which closed at 7.30 pm., not much use to us, so after driving round and hoping, we eventually parked by the railway station. As we had never been to the City Hall we had a walk round to get our bearings and got the first treat of the day - overhearing part of the sound check. This confirmed that Carl was the singer and Soldier's Song was probably still on the list.

@@The lights went down at 7.30 pm and the new intro started, it created a good atmosphere and then the applause started for the back line-up. The applause got louder as Alan and Tony took their positions and then Carl came on to the first few bars of LONG COOL WOMAN. This was the first change to previous programmes and was very well received, we were just hoping they didn't repeat it at the end as had happened in the past. There was no pause as they went straight into HERE I GO AGAIN and JENNIFER ECCLES, all of which were very well appreciated by the audience. Carl then introduced his own favourite Hollies song, YES I WILL, which he sings very well, adding his own personal line - 'I'll be true to Sue, yes I will'.

Next there was the long-standing LOOK THROUGH ANY WINDOW - for anyone still to see this performed on stage, watch Ray and just be amazed at how much effort he puts into his guitar playing. Take time and close your eyes to concentrate the hearing sense on the arrangements which make up these brilliant sounds. Often we can be impressed by the whole wonderful package of the Hollies sound but it can be just as good to pick out a certain member and concentrate for a little while on their particular efforts.

Next came a re-addition to the playlist - SANDY. Carl sang this in his own style and it was good to hear Alan Coates playing a different guitar solo in this song. We were surprised when Alan took centre stage for BUTTERFLY as we had expected this song to be dropped. He sings this beautifully with terrific support from Ray and Ian - perhaps we have to accept that he never will be confident without the words written down. The rest of the band came back on stage for I'M ALIVE which gets the audience clapping and then there was another surprise - FIRE BRIGADE. We never expected to hear the boys sing this one but they looked as though they were really having fun and the audience certainly enjoyed it. Ian entertained the audience with his walkabout in WE'RE THROUGH and then Alan took the lead for ON A CAROUSEL. This always gets the audience clapping as does the closing song in the first half, BLOWIN' IN THE WIND. Carl seemed to be really on form, he may have lost a little bit of weight but none of his enthusiasm or vocal skills. Well done, Carl.

During the interval we reflected on the first half - not as many changes as we might have hoped for, surprised that Sandy was back but thoroughly entertained by Fire Brigade. What would the second-half bring?

The second half started with the aeroplane sounds which always creates excitement and then an instrumental introduction to the new recording HOW WILL I SURVIVE. It was very well presented and it might have made more impact if the new CD had been on sale at the concert. Familiar hits followed - SORRY SUZANNE and JUST ONE LOOK, always professionally performed - apart from the occasional broken string by Alan. Tony picked up the sitar and demonstrated all his skills as he entertained us before Carl started singing THE BABY. Carl has really made this song his own and for a lot of Hollies fans it would have made a welcome addition to the new CD. The drama continued as Carl introduced SOLDIER'S SONG, perhaps more appropriate now than it has ever been.

@@Carl, Ian and Bob took a break at this stage as Ray came down to the centre mike. What were we going to hear? Joy of joys, GASOLINE ALLEY BRED with Alan, Ray and Tony taking a verse each. It was worth coming to Hull just to hear this, absolutely wonderful. Ray stayed at the front as Tony started on the intro to TOO YOUNG TO BE MARRIED and then another surprise, he was going to sing his own song! and what a great job he did. He always looks a little embarrassed when he takes lead but he does it so well he should be very proud. It was brilliant to hear this song performed this way.

Carl came back on stage to take the lead on BUS STOP and then we had a now familiar Move song - BLACKBERRY WAY - in which Carl encouraged the audience to take part.

After this we had the sound of the Caribbean with CARRIE ANNE and then the atmosphere calmed down for the ever popular AIR THAT I BREATH. Carl sings this in his own way making it into a sing-along, more like Mick Hucknall than Allan Clarke.

The atmosphere changed once again with the Indian influence with Tony 'buggering about' on the banjo before launching into STOP, STOP, STOP, this is always good for getting the audience into the swing of things. The next song was a surprise, another Move song - I CAN HEAR THE GRASS GROW. The audience recognised it and showed their appreciation.

Ray took centre stage again for TIGER FEET which always gets the front rows at least on their feet but after this the mood changed and Carl picked up the harmonica for HE AIN'T HEAVY which was instantly recognised by the audience. They clapped and cheered when all the band members came to the front at the end of the song.

Carl thanked everyone for coming and then said they were finishing with a verse of a song which had special meaning to so many people. IT'S IN EVERYONE OF US sends tingles up the spine and can bring tears to the eyes; after just one verse Bob very formally said goodnight and thank you 'Kingston-upon-Hull'. The crowd were on their feet cheering and clapping, the band responded with claps and waves and as they walked off stage we knew all the old sparkle and enthusiasm were there, the boys are back on tour, well done lads.

Wendy Holt & Wendy Shepherd

Setlist

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