The Hollies - Concert Review

Bournemouth International Centre, 13^th October 2000 - by Hilary Porter (Bournemouth Daily Echo)

What a difference new move makes.

When front man Allan Clarke announced he was retiring from The Hollies at the end of last year's tour, many believed the group had reached the end of the road. The 1999 BIC performance was marred by lacklustre vocals and sound problems and the future seemed grim.

But what a transformation we saw on Friday night with Carl Wayne, ex-lead singer of The Move, on board. Joining the familiar line-up of Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, Alan Coates, Ray Stiles and Ian Parker, Carl brought exactly the right vocal style in the timeless Hollies classics. It was an impeccable performance.

Flanked by the brilliance of guitarists Tony Hicks and Alan Coates, the band's trademark three-part harmonies were faithfully recreated. They took us through the massive 60's hits such as Jennifer Eccles, Just One Look and Here I Go Again through to the more experimental He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother of 1969.

Then there was the equally different rock and roll of Long Cool Woman and the hauntingly beautiful The Air That I Breathe of the 70's. And with Carl fronting the band there were some bonuses too........ performances of Move hits including Flowers In The Rain (the first record to be played on Radio One) and Blackberry Way.

Not to miss out on doing his party piece too, former Mud bass player Ray Stiles gave us a rendition of Tiger Feet.

HILARY PORTER, BOURNEMOUTH DAILY ECHO

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