The Hollies - Concert Review

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, 2^nd April 1998 - by Knut Skyberg, Oslo, Norway

We came to Canterbury on the 3rd of April via London for the second of two Marlowe concerts on the spring tour in this beautiful town. The old town is quite enchanting, and it was a pleasure for this my second time here to bring my wife and daughter.

Last time, in April 1993, I attended both concerts and surely the second night the sound balance was best. So this time it fitted well to give the second night priority. And it was a Friday night, too, before a sell-out audience with 3 generations of fans.

This venue is not too large, and sitting right in front of the mixing table gave a near perfect sound.

The concert kicked off with an old hits intro, consisting of Stay, Here I Go Again and Yes I Will. Then Allan stated that they were asked last time why they didn't play I Can't Let Go, so this one followed.

The Bruce Springsteen song Sandy received the effective Hollies treatment. Then we were up to a difference from the night before, when Daddy Don't Mind was included.

Tonight Tony introduced an Abbey Road recording, which had been re-mixed lately. But he was too modest to say that this song is included on the latest Abbey Road CD with some additional playing by himself. This was written by Graham Nash and Terry Reid, and was included on the CSN box set under the title "Horses Through A Rainstorm". The Hollies had also recorded the song before Graham left, and it first surfaced on the US anniversary box. The vocals come across much more clearly in concert version on the present tour, Alan Coates really has a stronger voice than Graham had.

Then we're given Sorry Suzanne, which is an audience pleasure.

Allan then introduces another song that could well have been a Bruce Springsteen composition, Don't Let Me Down, given a full acoustic treatment, with only Bobby not taking part in the harmonies. The unplugged section continues with Helplessly Hoping, and then Alan Coates take the centre role for a beautiful Butterfly. Ian Parker had done a good job programming his synthesiser, like Johnny Scott's orchestra.

A complete contrast for the next song, with a techno-intro, with sampled doo-doo's progressing into I'm Alive. Oh, how I enjoy those 90's versions of the old hits!

Tony plays a main part in the classic When I'm Dead And Gone, and On A Carousel completes the first half.

The second half opens with the 83 reunion hit Stop In The Name Of Love, followed by Jennifer Eccles and Just One Look.

For the next track, We're Through, Ian Parker walks around in the audience with his accordion.

Bus Stop is then introduced by Ian as the Hollies first international hit, this can of course be questioned, unless you require success in the US to qualify for this characterisation.

The Buddy Holly section followed, Peggy Sue Got Married had the original recorded BH vocals, Maybe Baby was played acoustic, and the up-tempo Rave On completed the section. Then back to a modern version of an old song (luckily), Look Through Any Window with two lead guitars, producing a very rich sound.

Carrie Anne is welcomed by the audience and so is Stop!Stop!Stop! with Tony's banjo intro, this time played in East Indian style, almost like a sitar. The second set is complete with the greatest of hits Air That I Breathe and He Ain't Heavy, and they receive a standing ovation.

For the extra set we have the old rockers Johnny B. Goode and Let's Dance, and here Allan is as comfortable as during the acoustic sections. He really lets it go.

The whole show is ended with Long Cool Woman, as usual.

Once more the Hollies have shown that they know how to treat an audience of both loyal fans and people who only go for the occasional concert. On this tour they don't do as much stage talking as they did a few years back, but the band seems quite content to give the playing priority.

Maybe Allan should practise the names of the guys in the band before the next show, or maybe not, some unexpected event on stage certainly breaks the routine.

Personally, I enjoyed most the acoustic sections, and Ian Parker's contributions, so did my wife, who also likes the old rock'n'roll. And I must of course mention Bobby's high quality drumming.

After the concert quite a few fans gathered at the stage door for autographs.

Thank you, Allan, Tony, Bobby, Alan, Ray and Ian for a great experience. Even my 13-year old daughter who prefers Celine Dion, Spice Girls and Janet Jackson had a good time.

Knut Skyberg

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