The Hollies - Concert Review

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, 5^th March 2003 - by Madeleine & Alison Evans, Liverpool

It had been 19 months since we'd seen The Hollies so my daughter and I took our seats in Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall eagerly awaiting the appearance of our favourite band.

The lights went down, the familiar music and stage lighting began, then there they were belting out 'Long Cool Woman' which set the mood for the next two hours. Hit after hit followed, plus a few new additions, including 'Fire Brigade', 'Gasoline Alley Bred', and 'Sandy'.

Carl looked and sounded better than ever and Tony's cream mandarin-collared suit reminded me somewhat of those white outfits the Hollies wore in the 60's. Tony still looks amazingly youthful and my daughter can't believe he's actually ten years older than her Dad!!

The second half began with 'How Do I Survive' which Tony said they'd recorded at Abbey Road last month (I wonder if his son Paul who is a Sound Recordist there worked with them?) It was great to hear some new material at last!

My favourite song of the evening came next - 'Too Young To Be Married' sung and played beautifully by Tony, who of course wrote it.

We missed a couple of songs which have been retired for this tour, particularly 'Blackbird' and 'Peggy Sue Got Married', but we were glad they kept in 'Soldier's Song'.

@@'The Air That I Breathe' and 'He Ain't Heavy' signalled that the concert was nearing its end. Everyone danced to 'Tiger Feet' and the applause following 'It's In Everyone Of Us' was amazing - a standing ovation followed! The boys seemed overwhelmed by the fantastic response from a very appreciative crowd and left the stage with the audience longing for more!!

Luckily Alison and I won't have to wait another 19 months for a repeat performance as we'll be at Buxton and Preston in April.

Well done to the Hollies - a tremendously talented band who just keep on getting better.

As Carl said - here's to the 50th Anniversary!!

Madeleine and Alison Evans.

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