The Hollies - Concert Review

Croydon Fairfield Halls, 13^th November 2004 - by Susie Hewett

I live in Australia and a few months ago my Husband, Daughter and I decided to go to England to visit relatives and to see The Hollies. We went to 3 concerts and they were all spectacular. I only thought that we were only going to one (Stoke On Trent) but this concert at Fairfield Halls in Croydon was a Birthday present and a complete surprise.

We were upset by Carl's untimely death and stunned by Alan Coates' departure from the band but still decided to see the band anyway and we are glad we did, The 2 new boys Peter Howarth and Steve Lauri are sensational (as are Tony, Ian, Ray and Bobby). I have seen Peter before when he came to Australia with Cliff Richard in 1998 but I didn't know who he was then.

The concert began at about 7.30pm with Stop In The Name Of Love which was quickly followed by Here I Go Again, Sorry Suzanne, Just One Look and On A Carousel. Peter and Steve were doing a fantastic job and everyone seemed to be enjoying the concert.

The Band then did an accoustic section in which they sang Sandy (on which Peter played the guitar), Gasoline Alley Bred and Look Through Any Window. On Gasoline Ally Bred Peter, Tony and Ray sang a verse each and Steve did outstanding harmonies.

Then Tony talked about Carl and his illness coming back so quickly and how they were when he passed away. Then Ray took centre stage and sang The Move song Flowers In The Rain as a special tribute to Carl.

They then sang Soldier's Song which Peter sang with a lot of feeling.

The final 2 songs of the first set were We're Through and as usual Ian did a brilliant job on the accordion and then Blowin' In The Wind.

Then the interval of about 20 minute was spent looking through the new Tour Book.

The second set began with The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee and Peter had on a cowboy hat. Next came I Can't Let Go, Jennifer Eccles, Yes I Will and Bus Stop in which Ian played his accordion again.

Then came the second accoustic section with Steve singing lead vocals on I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top and a brilliant job he did too. Then came my all time favourite Hollies song Too Young To Be Married in which Tony took over lead vocals.

Peter did a brilliant solo accoustic version of Here I Go Again which apparently he arranged himself.

Then came I'm Alive and Carrie Anne. Then I got to see Tony's brilliant banjo playing on Stop Stop Stop (which I have see before in Australia in 2001). Then came 2 more all time favourites of mine The Air That I Breathe and Long Cool Woman.

Ray then came centre stage again for The Mud song Tiger Feet in which a lot of people (including myself) got up and started dancing or stomping their feet.

To close the show The Hollies sang their big No'1 hit He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother.

Tony and Bobby really know how to chose new members for the band. Peter and Steve are 2 very talented men and stars in their own right and they are in my opinion perfect choices to replace Carl and Alan (Coates)

Peter has his own unique style and didn't even try to sound or act like Carl or Allan (Clarke) which is the way it should be. I am very proud of Peter and Steve for learning all those Hollies classics and the Move and Mud songs in such a short time which wouldn't have been easy

The Hollies are truly the greatest band of all time and the live sound is just as good (if not better) than it was 30 or 40 years ago. And they still add some banter (or humor) to the show which the audience always loves. I hope that they stay around and entertain us for many more years to come.

I am back home now with great memories of 3 fantastic concerts that I will never forget and I also took some photos that I hope turn out.

Here's to 2005 and many more great shows from The Hollies

Setlist

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