The Hollies - Concert Review

Hyland Park, Chelmsford, 27^th August 2001 - by Gordon Jamieson

I could see these early set offs and long journeys far enough these days, I thought as I went to bed around one Am. At 5.45 AM off went the alarm. “Here I go again,” I thought to myself as I staggered from bed. Why do I do this I asked myself, especially when it involves travelling through London. (Even by public transport) I would be finding the answer to that question between 7.45 and 11.00PM that night. Anyway at 5.30 AM the taxi was waiting to take me to Glasgow Central Station for the first train to London. Arriving in Chelmsford at around 2PM, I Checked into my hotel and was delighted to meet two of my fellow hollies fans there. It’s always great to know you’ll have company in the hotel after the show.

Arriving at Hylands Park around 6.30 I was amazed at two things. Firstly the size of the crowd and secondly the size of the stage. On making my way to the front it was great to see so many of the friends I have made over the eight years I have been travelling to see the band. The show was compared by one of my all time favourite DJ’s, D.L.T. it was great to see him and hear his familiar “patter”. The first act on the bill was a beautiful tribute to the Carpenters. The young lady’s voice sounding almost as sweet as Karen herself. They opened with “we’ve only just begun followed by “Top of the world” then going on to the one I thought they’d have kept till the end the lovely “Close to you”. However I must admit that “yesterday once more was a much more appropriate ending to a stunning performance. In between they did an impressive medley of Carpenters hits as well as a few more in their entirety.

After some more humour from Dave, it was onto Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. They started with a track I wasn’t familiar with, “Angel” however as the night went on there were many of Fleetwood Mac hits including “Go your own way and one of my favourites “Rhiannon” and of course there was plenty from the Rumours album. However the highlight of this part of the show for me came when the two ladies left the stage (nothing against them) and the men were left to do a couple of well chosen numbers from the Peter Green days. The rousing “Oh well” and the beautiful “Albatross”

Next came one of my all time favourite bands “The Manfreds” On they came with their famous opener 54321. Many other hits followed. Just like a woman, semi detached suburban Mr James, Pretty flamingo, a slow version of sha la la. And of course not forgetting "Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do" and Mighty Quinn. Another interesting part of the manfreds spot was when they departed from the hits and did an American album track “watermelon man” which also incorporated Paul Jones’ solo hit “Bad bad boy”.

Well after all this and the HOLLIES STILL TO APPEAR, What can one say? I could hardly wait and it was not long until the familiar build up to The Hollies on stage appearance could be heard and then as usual they appeared one by one to rapturous applause.

The build up led them strait into I’m alive followed by Here I go again and Jennifer Eccles. After this Tony welcomed everyone to the show in his usual friendly manner.

Sadly with the limited time, there was little time for much stage talk, but after all it was the hits the people had come to hear and that’s what they got,

Carousel, Just one look, Bus stop, Carrie Anne, Stop Stop Stop, they just kept on coming and the crowd of around twelve or fifteen thousand were loving every minute of it. I thought it was a pity there was no time to do Soldiers song, Peggy Sue got married, and Blackbird or Butterfly, but then you can’t have everything can you? There was time however for “Blowing in the wind” one of only two songs I think the hollies have ever performed from the Dylan album. The other being I’ll be your baby to night. (It’s long time past we were hearing that one again)

Of course there were also the Move hits “Flowers in the rain” and “Blackberry way” (The crowd showed great appreciation for that one) Then up to the centre mike came Ray Stiles for “Tiger feet” which had the Audience jumping.

As always though it was “Air” and “Heavy” that had the crowd ecstatic. It was fantastic to see such a large audience showing such excitement for the Hollies. Who says sixties music is a thing of the past? Certainly not the people at the Chelmsford double decade extravaganza.

After the show it was back to the hotel for a “wee dram” with my two friends. The following morning, the long journey ahead didn’t bother me a bit. I travelled home with more happy memories to cherish for ever and with the knowledge that these long and sometimes awkward journeys are ALWAYS Worthwhile.

Gordon Jamieson, Scotland

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