The Hollies - Concert Review

Stoke Regent Theatre, 21^st November 2004 - by Cindy Hewett

I live in Australia and when my Mum asked me a few months ago if I wanted to go to England with her to see The Hollies, I couldn't say yes quick enough (Dad went too). Mum has been a fan for 36 years and I started to take an interest in the band only 2 years ago. It was the first time I have ever seen The Hollies and I loved it and through coincidence, I am the same age Mum was when she saw them for the first time (18).

Alan and Carl were my 2 favourite band members and I was very upset when Carl passed away and when Alan left the band. But I was willing to give Peter Howarth and Steve Lauri a fair go and I am very pleased I did, the both of them are brilliant and perfect replacements for Carl and Alan.

Anyway, at about 7.30pm the lights started to dim and the guys walked onto the stage and Mum and I started to get pretty excited. They started the show with Stop In The Name Of Love followed by Here I Go Again, Sorry Suzanne, and Jennifer Eccles.

Steve Lauri sang the High notes on Just One Look brilliantly and then came On A Carousel which Peter Howarth does lead vocals on.

Then the band did Accoustic versions of Sandy, Gasoline Alley Bred and Look Through Any Window which were all sung superbly.

Then there was a special tribute to Carl which brought a tear to my eyes. Tony explained about how they thought Carl was alright but how his illness came back so quickly and how sad they all were when Carl passed away. Then Ray took center stage and sang Flowers In The Rain and what a superb job he did too. Carl would have been proud.

The set ended with Soldier's Song which Peter put a lot of feeling in and then We're Through with Ian playing the accordion and Blowin' in The Wind.

The first song in the second set was The Day That Curl Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee which had Peter in a cowboy's hat. Then came one of my favourites I Can't Let Go followed by Jennifer Eccles, Yes I will and Bus Stop with Ian doing a magnificent job on his accordion again.

The second acoustic Session starting with I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top which was sung brilliant by Steve. Just before singing Too Young To Be Married Tony mentioned that my Mum was in the audience because she's from Australia. Due to Mum having a sore throat, I yelled out instead but for some reason no-one in the band heard me, maybe I didn't yell loud enough. We then forgot about it and enjoyed the rest of the concert. Too Young....was quickly followed by Peter's own acoustic solo version of Here I go again which was his own arrangement.

I'm Alive was next followed by Carrie Anne. Then I finally got to see Tony's famous intro to Stop Stop Stop and all thsoe people who say that he is a guitar god is absolutely right. Then came another favouroite of mine The Air That I Breathe and then Long Cool Woman.

Then Ray had everyone on their feet for the song Tiger Feet. And to finish the concert off they sang He Aint Heavy, His My Brother.

They then stood in a line on the stage and received a well deserved standing ovation.

In all it was a truely magnificent concert (so were the other 2 shows I went to in Croydon and Birmingham) that I will always remember and I hope they come downunder next year so I can see them again.

Thank you Peter, Tony, Ian, Ray, Steve and Bobby, may you entertain us for many more years to come.

Setlist

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