The Hollies - Concert Review

York Barbican Centre, 9^th October 1997 - by Allison Larkins

When the dates for the Autumn/Winter 1997 tour came out I had hoped this venue would be included. Past shows at the Barbican had all been enjoyable and eventful affairs so I’d eagerly looked forward to much of the same – I was not to be disappointed. The Barbican theatre, though new in look, is small and cosy with a welcoming atmosphere, unlike its intimidating big brother up the road, the Harrogate Conference Centre. This always has a relaxing effect on the audience and The Hollies alike.

After starting the show with the usual “Stay”, “Here I Go Again” and “Yes I Will” it was Tony who obliged with the opening chat as he relayed a tale concerning the day’s exploits. Apparently the boys had visited the nearby Railway Museum – cue some train banter between Tony and Bobby. Then it was on to the driving “I Can’t Let Go”, a definite highlight and a welcome return to the set (and an excuse for Tony to introduce a ‘number one hit’). Allan introduced the next song “Sandy”.

Schoolboy humour was never far from the fold so when Allan noticed a couple taking their seats late he announced that the first half was about to finish! But of course it wasn’t, instead the show moved on to the superb “Draggin’ My Heels” with the very talented Ian Parker at the helm. Every night Ian plays it slightly different, tonight it had a more bluesy feel to it.

The first half acoustic set brought mixed feelings. I’ve grown to love “The Priest”, but I’ve tired of “Helplessly Hoping”. Tonight’s rendition was , thankfully, still sung around the central microphone. I suppose this song still retains a novelty value, Tony said as much when he proclaimed it a ‘good photo opportunity’. For me its values in the close harmonies.

Wrapping up the acoustic set was Alan Coates with the hauntingly beautiful “Butterfly”. Tony may have called it a ‘nice little interlude’ but it’s been the highlight of every show for me this tour. But tonight it very nearly didn’t happen! When Tony finished his introductions and turned round to leave the stage, he found the keyboard position vacant. In a flash he took up the position himself, whilst Allan came back onto the stage and explained that Ian’s absence was due to his laid back nature, or was it the Kalibur he’d been drinking? At which point the wanderer returned. The audience loved Coatsie’s solo and the final note was greeted with rapturous applause. Then it was back to the up tempo stuff which had the audience happily clapping along – “I’m Alive”, “On A Carousel” and “When I’m Dead And Gone” which wound up an enjoyable first half.

The audience was generous with their applause, whistles and screams when The Hollies came back on stage for the start of the second half. “Stop In The Name Of Love”, “Jennifer Eccles” and “Just One Look” kept their enthusiasm going.

Time for ‘Mohawk’ to shine again (as Allan affectionately called Ian) with his solo on “We’re Through”, but not before another Hollies anecdote. This time Allan reminisced with Tony about a summer season in Weymouth with Big Dee Irwin – cue a burst of ‘Swinging On A Star’!

Tony chose the start of the second half acoustic set to tell the audience the reason for Allan’s ‘deaf aids’. He explained that they were better than the big speakers ‘as they look very silly when he had them strapped to his ears’! Once the laughter had died down there was surprisingly still time to fit in all three Buddy Holy acoustic songs – “Maybe Baby”, “Peggy Sue” and “Rave On”, Ray deservedly stealing the limelight with his bass vocal contributions. The final countdown came all too soon, “Look Through Any Window” was followed by “Carrie Anne” and then “Stop, Stop, Stop”. Disappointingly no long banjo intro this time but instead a promise from Tony to wear his shorts tomorrow. This was followed by excellent performances of “The Air That I Breathe” and “He Ain’t Heavy”.

Allan, who had earlier proclaimed himself to be ‘a rock ‘n roller’ at heart, let rip with two classics – “Great Balls Of Fire” and “Let’s Dance” and our own Hollies “Long Cool Woman”. These had many in the audience up and dancing at the foot of the stage and in the aisles. Tony rounded off a perfect evening with a longer and wilder than usual guitar solo which had everyone at the front of the stage mesmerised.

Tony had the last word on the proceedings. I’d like to think that he felt some affinity with the warm appreciative York crowd, but in reality I expect it was just a dig at Rod Shields for arranging concerts on England’s World Cup qualifying weekend, when he decided to share with us a dream he’d had. In his dream Tony said he’d seen the following result – Italy 0 England 2, it got one of the biggest cheers of the night.

Allison Larkins

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