The Hollies - Concert Review

Preston Guild Hall, 16^th April 1999 - by Simon Tordoff

lthough never a favourite venue of mine, the Hollies nevertheless turned in another excellent performance at the Guild Hall in Preston on Saturday night. The venue is more commonly used to host sporting events such as snooker and bowls, and I have to say that on my previous visits, I have found the auditorium (Octagonal shaped) to lack warmth and atmosphere, causing the sound to reverberate badly. This time around, however, from my third row seat in the centre stalls, the sound quality was as good as I have heard at any venue.

Whilst including virtually all of their 1960's hits, the Hollies also provided a generous sprinkling of 'new' songs. Using the same method adopted to great effect in "Peggy Sue Got Married" where the Hollies provide their backing to Buddy Holly's vocal, one such offering is the little known single from the mid-sixties "After The Fox" with narration from Peter Sellers. Novel it may be, and it certainly raises a smile or two, in particular the closing 'sinister' cackle provided by Ray Stiles. Another new addition is the Allan Clarke composition "Not That Way At All" featuring frantic guitar from the man himself, along with accompaniment from Messrs Elliott, Coates and Hicks, the latter contributing a rather appealing slide guitar.

Along the same lines as the excellent "When I'm Dead And Gone" as featured in the last tour, the 1966 flip side "Running Through The Night" makes a welcome return, performed in 'country' style which is certainly popular with the audiences. The second half also featured a lovely version of Paul McCartney's "Blackbird" with vocals provided by Tony, Alan and Ray and subtle orchestration from lan.

A number of 'gems' which have been retained from the last tour include Allan Clarke's "Don't Let Me Down" along with Graham Nash's "Butterfly" which Alan Coates has now made his own. My personal favourite though is the infectious foot-tapping version of "We're Through" which always seems to raise a cheer, no doubt because Allan Clarke makes a very passable attempt at convincing the audience that he is as equally adept on the keyboards as he is with a microphone, whilst lan Parker wanders around the auditorium with squeeze-box and head-mounted spotlight...

But it's the big hits which the audience obviously come to see, and there is no shortage of well known standards packed into the second half. The closing flurry of hits, building up to the big ballads of "The Air That I Breathe" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" never fail to wow the crowd, with the rocking finale bringing everyone to their feet.

This year's show undoubtedly benefits from a superb new light show which provides a new look to the Hollies stage set. Described by Tony as "stage lighting for the over fifties", the lighting nevertheless breathes a new atmosphere, if it were ever needed, into every song, and only serves to enhance the whole performance.

The Hollies just get better!

By Simon Tordoff

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