The Hollies - Concert Review

Bristol Hippodrome, 25^th March 2001 - by Liz Dewar

Mother's Day - after a delightful day spent with my two sons, what more could this mum ask for? An evening with my favourite band that's what!! And that's what I got. My long-suffering partner, Jeff, came with me and was amazed to hear how well Carl has not only fitted into, but has uplifted the band's whole performance since that first UK appearance in a very soggy Ipswich last July.

From the moment they came on stage with 'I'm Alive' their raw energy, enthusiasm, skill and humour came to the fore as the hits came, one after another leaving the audience reeling. As each song came you think they just can't get any better, but they just do!! Even when little hic-ups happen (all the lights went out during 'Look Through Any Window' and after the line 'What do you see?' Tony could be heard to say 'not a lot'!!) nothing seems to daunt this phenomenal band.

I personally enjoyed 'The Baby' - amazing sound from the guitar/sitar - as it showed how well Carl's harmony fits in with that of Tony & Alan Coates.

'Butterfly' sung beautifully as always by Alan (who cares if he sometimes gets the words wrong when he sings with a voice like that). 'Too Young To Be Married' - an old favourite of mine featuring the guitar genius of Mr. Anthony Hicks. 'Blackbird' - a charming little ditty having been enhanced as only The HOLLIES could do (sorry Paul)!!

'Blackberry Way' & 'Flowers In The Rain' - a couple sitting behind us say they prefer the present versions to the ones from the 60's!! That same couple had welcomed the interval as it had given them a chance to draw breath!!!

All too soon we get to 'He Ain't Heavy ...' - not a dry eye in the house and as the last notes fade away the band take another well-deserved ovation from a whole theatre on it's feet. Bobby once said that playing on stage with The HOLLIES was the best fun you could have with your clothes on! I'd respectfully like to say he's wrong, the best fun is being in the audience at a HOLLIES concert and seeing everyone else in the theatre loving them and appreciating them as much as I do!!!

I must admit when I first heard them finish the show with 'It's In Everyone Of Us' in January at Hayes it brought a tear to my eye in remembrance of Allan. I have to say that if we had to lose Allan, then I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather see up there on stage than Carl. The man gives 110%, is great at audience-participation and you come away feeling as if you've seen and have been part of a truly great show!!

After 25 gruelling UK dates with 5 in New Zealand and Australia in between, they still seem to be as fresh and lively (although they may not have felt it) as they did back in Hayes in January, but then that shows what professionals these guys truly are. How many of the 'in' bands of today could do that when they've been in the business for 38 years and how many of them will still be around in 38 years?

As long as we still have The HOLLIES, who cares about the rest?

LIZ DEWAR from Reading

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