The Hollies - Concert Review

Hayes, Beck Theatre, 24^th February 1999 - by Bieneke Barwick

The Beck Theatre in Hayes saw the return of the Hollies at the start of their 1999 tour.

When another Hollies Tour kicks off you know you’re going to be treated to all the hits and more! Some hits will be in new ‘jackets’ i.e. new arrangements or with special intro’s, keeping the avid fans in suspense up to the moment when familiarity kicks in and applause follows spontaneously.

This particular venue has a notable quality called ‘closeness’. Yes, it’s a small place; you’re all close, so when Allan talks a ‘little’ about his mate Bruce, we’re all with him and nothing goes over the heads of the audience so to speak. A short explanation followed about their use of Buddy Holly’s voice and soon we heard Peter Sellers’ voice floating through via magnetic tape on ‘After The Fox’ - I loved it! More of these kind of technical feats could send the Hollies on a Dead Tour, as Tony quipped. That’s just too morbid for me, how about The Pilgrimage: all included dead or alive.

All the band members looked in great shape - congratulations lads - no individuals mentioned here, for apart from Bob, everyone was in the picture during the close-harmony version of ‘Don’t let me down’. Sheer magic as was their spellbinding version of the Beatles’ ‘Blackbird’ with Alan Coates and Tony Hicks on vocals. Indeed, my son of 18 liked that one too. It was his first exposure to the Hollies live. He had serious doubts though about Tony’s sobriety - head bopping and all that - but that is performance flair, I said. Don’t think I convinced him… ‘Running Through The Night’ is what he is capable of both artistically and physically, I said tongue-in-cheek.

The reappearance of the Banjo during the second half is my cue for getting noisy, mmm belly-dancing, bells on feet, glistening ruby -wonder what I’d look like… oh, ‘Stop, Stop, Stop’. Such an exciting build up and full of eastern promise. (Mr. Levi took us to this club in New York where…in short, you pick up food for thought).

After that the audience is tangibly hungry for more, so on with ‘The Air That I Breathe’ and ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’. ‘Do you wanna dance’? Sure, ‘Let’s go do the Hop’ with Ray’s beautifully, wicked bassy ‘oh baby’, which steamed up his glasses all right, shaking his specs simultaneously to the beat of the last drum roll.

Back into focus and that ‘Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress’ puts in her appearance and she brings the night to a roaring finish. Great entertainment, great show! Wishing them all the best for the rest of this tour and hurry back in the Autumn for the last tour of this Century.

Bieneke Barwick

Setlist

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