The Hollies - Concert Review

Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall, 22^nd February 2004 - by Peej

It was very exciting going to Liverpool to catch my seventh Hollies gig. A town I'd wanted to visit for over 13 years and as I sat in *the* Cavern Club listening to live music, I tried to imagine what it would have been like back in 1963 when The Hollies had performed there. A lot of fun I imagine.

It seemed like ages since my previous gig back in erm... November and I had read reports of a slightly changed set list as well as a video screen; very intriguing. The guys kicked off the gig with the first of the set list changes; their energetic version of I'm Alive had the audience clapping and cheering before the guys even finished! A triumphant start for the boys!

The guys then continued with all their usual hits like Here I Go Again, Jennifer Eccles, Yes I Will and Alan's Coates amazing voice producing another wonderful version of On A Carousel. Carl's interaction with the crowd was brilliant and the band as a whole appeared in a quite chatty mood as Tony started to introduce the acoustic Listen to Me. I think I've said this before but the acappella 3 part harmony introduction by Alan, Ray and Tony blows me away every time. After this came the song I was looking forward to hearing the most since reading the first review of the current tour, which was that Alan Coates had replaced his version of Butterfly with I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top. Still only Alan, Ray and Tony on stage along with Ian who was emulating Elton John's original piano work in this beautiful version of the song which captured the crowd. It was haunting and beautiful and it was definitely my song of the night!

Another fantastic song included on the set list was I Can't Let Go- I love that song and it was definitely a very popular addition to the set list according to the crowd's response.

With the next song came something else I was looking forward to seeing in action; the video projection screen I'd heard so much about. Unless you were (like me) looking out for the cameras, you wouldn't really notice them on stage but they were everywhere; there were two or three at various angles round Bobby's drum kit, one pointed at Tony's guitar and one at his face, one looking up at Carl, one at Alan and one at Ray and finally one looking down at Ian's keyboard and maybe one at his face (I can't remember now). I almost half expected one on Ian's accordion as he set off round the hall during We're Through. This is where the cameras came in handy; having focused on Bobby's drums and moving round the rest of the band, it was amazing to see Carl's piano work on big screen; a very talented pianist! This was followed by one of my favourite Move songs; Fire Brigade (which was accompanied by flashing sirens on the video screen) and then came a new version of Look Through Any Window.

I'm finding it hard to remember but I believe there was only Carl, Alan and Tony (possibly Ian) on stage for this as they started off on an unusual version. Acoustically it was lovely to hear Carl, Tony and Alan harmonising together and the whole song was completely different but I admit to missing the usual guitar introduction. The guys then finished the first half with the Bob Dylan classic; Blowin' In the Wind - we never found out where Bob was local to that night!

The guys were soon back after the interval performing their previous tour opening song; Long Cool Woman. Well received and almost immediately followed by Sorry Suzanne and Just One Look. All too soon, Tony was swapping his guitar for his guitar sitar. After entertaining the crowd to an amazing solo, the guys launched into one of my favourite Hollies songs I've heard Carl sing; The Baby. This was followed by impassioned version of Soldier's Song with Carl's amazing voice capturing the crowds' attention; I barely noticed the video playing in the background. I know during Tony's guitar solo the video was that of a house being blown up followed by Soldier's marching for the rest of the song. Just as you think The Hollies and their technical crew have produced the ultimate live version of Soldier's Song, they produce an even better version. My hat off to all of them!

Gasoline Alley Bred and Tony's Too Young to be Married followed with a beautiful guitar duet by Alan and Tony before Tony sang his song. His amazing guitar work gets me every time!

The ever fun Carrie Anne followed before the funniest intro. I have ever heard Tony give to a song. Carl was going to announce the song but passed the job onto Tony who launched into a banjo solo. Just as you thought the boys were going to start singing, Tony started to explain the origins of the song (and why a still of the Statue of Liberty was on the screen). Tony started talking about going to America as impressionable young boys to promote themselves and the story of going to a club in New York with Turkish dancers. He definitely had very fond memories of that particular trip to America.

Stop Stop Stop was followed by one of my favourite songs; The Air That I Breathe and the gig on the whole was amazing; the end of this song had the crowd on their feet giving the boys a standing ovation; the guys obliged the cries for 'more' with I Can Hear the Grass Grow, Tiger Feet (which had the crowd up and dancing) followed by an emotional and poignant He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother. Still the crowd were calling for more but sadly the gig came to an end on the acappella verse of It's In Every One of Us.

From what I heard of the last gig the band performed in Liverpool this was a triumphant return for the boys. The only complaint I have is that boys left Sandy out; why; I don't know as it was one of my favourite songs that I was looking forward to hearing live again. Hopefully the boys will bring it back soon.

Keep up the brilliant work lads!

Peej

Setlist

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