Review: Jools Holland at Newcastle City Hall

Dec 12 2008 by Chloe Luper, The Journal

Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra at City Hall, Newcastle

AS one audience member in the front row on Wednesday night rightly said: “This isn’t a concert, it’s a party for old friends.”

The instant the lights faded, the crowd was in a frenzy and on its feet.

When Jools came on and asked who’d been to see him before, it was deafening. When he inquired about first-timers, there was barely a whisper.

His band performed as a group of close friends – jamming, drinking and sharing laughs.

Eccentric saxophonist Derek Nash is known for creating a distraction by shaking fruit and vegetables in time with the music. And this time he didn’t break tradition, producing a courgette, a melon and an aubergine. Each band member performed a solo and was affectionately and truthfully introduced by Jools as either extraordinary or legendary.

The audience awaited the arrival of the guest singers and was not disappointed in the soulful sounds of divas Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall.

Jools and fellow Squeeze band member Chris Difford have known each other since they were 15 and their warmth was evident.

Without doubt, the highlight of the night was the final guest, Marc Almond. Fans danced and cheered until his final number, Tainted Love. The applause that followed was like none I have heard.

The band, thriving on the energy of the crowd, performed two encores and the night ended with the meaningful lyrics: “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.” Fans will be eagerly awaiting their invitation to next year’s party.

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