The Hollies - Concert Review

Halifax Victoria Theatre, 4^th November 1999 - by Gordon Sampson

After 36 years in the business, The Hollies are still going strong and the changes they have made to the line-up over the years have improved the group musically.

A number of songs like "Look Through Any Window" have been given new arrangements. But hits like the frantic-paced "Stay", "Bus Stop", "Just One Look" and "King Midas In Reverse" are similar to original recordings.

Taking a different approach to parts of the act would not please all of those who expected everything to be similar to the '60s but they try to avoid being just a nostalgia band while at the same time retaining integrity.

They remain a fully fledged concert band, still clearly getting a "buzz" from playing live. And they do the whole of the show with more than two hours of music, representing good value.

Allen Clarke was outstanding on "He Ain't Heavy - He's My Brother"- the revival of which became their second number one. "The Air That 1 Breathe" remained pretty close to the original, too.

Multi-talented lead guitarist and vocalist Tony Hicks retains his youthful looks and enthusiasm. He provides some excellent harmonies and uses the banjo to full effect on one of the songs he made his own. --- "Stop! Stop! Stop!"

Drummer Bobby Elliott, also with the band from the early days, pounds out the beat.

A cover version of "Peggy Sue Got Married" featured a tape of Buddy Holly with just his guitar while they played the backing then joined in vocally. They also used Peter Sellers's voice on tape during "After The Fox".

Alan Coates makes a major contribution on vocals and guitar, his singing including "Carousel" and album title track "Butterfly".

Ray Stiles, formerly with Mud, does an excellent job on bass and lan Parker is a wizard on the keyboards and accordion.

They also featured material by others including Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and McGuinness Flint.

The Victoria reverberated to a rock 'n' roll session to finish with. Clarke picking up a guitar and encouraging people to stand up and move to "Let's Dance", "At The Hop" and "Long Cool Woman (in A Black Dress)".

The Hollies show no signs of letting up like many other bands have done and look set to enter the new millennium still pulling in the crowds.

Although the attendance last night was not as big as on previous visits, probably because of the number of times they have been to this area in recent years, the attendance of about 800 was one of the best of the autumn season at the Victoria.

Gordon Sampson

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