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The Hollies - Concert Review Manchester Opera House, 14th November 2003 - by Gordon Jamieson As many of you who have seen my posts over the last few Months will know, I have been very critical of the band re-lack of new material set list changes etc. While I still feel justified in what I have said, the above date certainly renewed my enthusiasm for The Hollies. I booked only one show on the current tour and quite frankly felt it not much more than a duty.
Well the show got underway and I must admit I felt the intro was not just as rousing as it has been in previous years but the guys were soon of stage getting tore in to Long Cool Woman with Carls voice sounding excellent and Bob’s wild drumming up to the usual standard and what needs to be said about our two expert guitarists and bass player. So the show was off to a booming start as usual. After that straight into Here I go again, one of the earlier hits that had the crowd clapping along enthusiastically then straight into Jennifer Eccles, which again received rapturous applause. Carl welcomed everyone to the show in his usual comical manner and then announced the next number, his personal favourite ‘Yes I Will’. A disappointment for me is that the guys no longer do the nineties version of ‘Look Trough Any Window’ which was a very interesting arrangement and featured some breathtaking guitar work from Tony and Alan. After Sandy, Bob, Ian and Carl left the stage and Ray came forward to join Alan and Tony for the acoustic section of the first half. The version they do of ‘Listen To Me’ is for me the finest version since the original. The harmonies are beautiful and the guitar work interesting. Next Allan was left on his own for Butterfly accompanied by Ian Parker’s very impressive classical keyboard playing. After I’m Alive and Fire Brigade (my favourite Move song) we were treated to more entertainment from The West of Scotland’s very own Mr Ian Parker as he donned his miner’s helmet and accordion to do his usual tour around the audience during We’re Through. Not forgetting his very impressive keyboard solo. Alan did lead vocal as usual on ‘Carousel’ and the first half finished with The Hollies unique version of Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowin In The Wind’. I think this must be the finest arrangement of one of Bob’s best songs. Well that was the first half over so it was off to the bar where Mervyn had already found our interval drinks and while we were enjoying our beers Mervyn helped me to decipher the scrawl of the set list I had made on the back of a ticket and place it on a more appropriate piece of paper which I was able to use for the second half list as well. After a much needed visit to the cludgie, we were back in the auditorium just in time for the fanfare (Herb Alpert’s 1980), which starts the second half of the show. The band reappeared and went strait into How Do I Survive (I think I’m one of the few who really likes this song) after this it was back to the ever popular hits for two songs and then one of the not so big hits but a song well worth hearing and one I’m surprised The Hollies have neglected over the years, The Baby in which Tony features on his electric sitar. Next Carl paid tribute to our soldiers, sailors and airmen who are involved in conflict at the moment through no fault of their own and dedicated ‘Soldier’s Song’ to them. Most of the audience applauded Carl for his tribute to our servicemen. When I joined in, I got a dirty look from the female sitting next to me (she must have been a conchie) Carl delivered the song with all the feeling and emotion as always has done and the crowd loved it. It was now time for the second acoustic spot with Ray coming to the front again. Gasoline Alley Bred lends itself very well to an acoustic rendering. ‘Too Young to be Married’ followed with Tony on lead vocals and his skilful guitar solo sounding very impressive. The rest of the band rejoined and it was back to the well known hits including the Move’s Blackberry way. The Air that I Breathe formally ended the show before the lads jumped into their rousing encore of ‘I Can Hear The Grass Grow’ that had the audience on their feet and kept there by ‘Tiger Feet’ (no pun intended) Things quietened down again and Carl thanked the audience for their attendance and appreciation and then it was strait into ‘He Ain’t Heavy’ which the audience loved as always. A single verse of the very moving ‘It’s In Every One Of Us’ closed the show and the band left the stage to rapturous applause. So in spite of all my moaning over the past few Months I, like most of the audience left the theatre a very contented man. Met up with Mervyn again and it was off to the tavern to discuss the show and naturally have a few more beers. All in all it was a night to remember and as a result I’ve added Leeds to my list of shows for next year. I had intended only doing the Scottish ones and Carlisle, but after that…….what else could I do. By Gordon Jamieson, Scotland Setlist
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