Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra

Sparkologist · 05-12-2004, 01:27

Last night I took Lettie along with a couple of friends to see Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, at the Manchester Apollo. The gig was brilliant. That fella sure knows how to play piano.
The music he plays is generally known as Boogie-Woogie. It wasn't long before we were dancing in the aisles, along with the majority of the audience. It is the type of up-lifting music that would have Brian Potter, of Phoenix Nights fame, casting his wheelchair aside and dancing the night away.
Jools Holland had two female vocalists acompanying him for most of his set; Sam Brown and Ruby Turner. Both of them complemented his style of music perfectly.
The best thing about the backing band, the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, was the brass section. A combination of trumpets, slide trombones, alto, tenor and baritone saxaphones gave out a sound that is rarely heard these days.
The only time that I have listened to music like this is the Stax Records house band of the 1960's, Booker T & the MG's complemented by Isaac Hayes & the Memphis Horns.

Sometime in the new year, Jools Holland will be touring with Tom Jones, promoting their recent self-titled album. We will be buying tickets for the forthcoming tour on the strength of last night's performance.

lettie · 05-12-2004, 08:27

What more can I say. It was the most fantastic, fun show I've seen in ages. Although it was a seated gig, everybody was dancing in the aisles.... Brilliant!! My feet were on fire when I left. Assisted by the brilliant vocals of Ruby Turner and Sam Brown and his fabulously talented orchestra (who all looked like they were having a wail of a time) Jools Holland tickled the ivories and produced a 'big band' sound worthy of my shoe leather..

lindsay ormerod · 03-02-2005, 18:42

He is a top chap as well as a great performer,he opened the Our Price store for us in Blackburn years ago and was really pleasant!Turned up in a massive grey Daimler and handed out guest passes for his gig that night at King Georges.He gave me a signed copy of his album;it says"To Lindsay,thanks for having us!"[ooo-er !]

Perhaps it's worth a bit now eh?

woody · 07-02-2005, 17:24

i saw him on the Tsunami relief concert in Cardiff and even though im not a particular fan of blues; 'Skake, Rattle, Roll' and 'Everyday I Have The Blues' were amazing.