Piano Man (Jools Holland)

Member Name: GuruOnAMountain

Product:	Jools Holland
Date:	22/08/04 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Energetic, unique show.

Disadvantages: You have to be prepared to get up and dance a little!

My dad and I have always had similar tastes in just about everything, and so it was no surprise a few years ago that we got talking and decided that we'd both like to see Jools Holland perform live. He was performing in Glasgow just before Christmas, so we decided to make a day of it and go into the city for some Christmas shopping before heading into the SECC for the show.

We'd booked tickets at the last minute, so we had pretty rubbish seats up in the balcony, and I was so exhausted after trudging round the busy shops all day that by the time I'd settled down in the theatre I was feeling more like having a snooze than watching a show. However, it wasn't long before Mark Flanagan (the guitarist in Jools' Rhythm and Blues Orchestra) came out to warm the crowd up. He didn't get the best reception, however, as people wandered back and forth to the bar and talked to each other, completely ignoring him which I thought was a real shame as he was definately a good guitarist.

Once the whole Rhythm and Blues Orchestra (and, of course, Jools himself) came on stage, though, no one could fail to give them their full attention. Even though my dad and I were stuck in those horrible seats, a big video screen displayed the action in the background and was focussed on the piano keyboard as Jools sat down. I've played piano since I was 6 years old, but was bowled over the minute his fingers started moving. His hands seemed to move at 100 MPH over the keys, and he made the whole affair seem almost casual. If anyone had ever made something look easy, then it was Jools at that moment. I just couldn't tear my eyes away from him.

Of course, the sound of the rest of the orchestra can't be overlooked. Featuring trumpets, trombones, clarinet, the occassion
al use of flute, guitar, saxophone and drums, their music is loud and energetic. Each member got the chance to perform individually to showcase their skills and the audience would go wild at each performance. Sam Brown sang with Jools, too, which the audience lapped up.

The stage was an array of wild colours, and although Jools was in his usual casual suit, most of the other performers on stage were wearing more colourful and casual clothing. Near the end of the show Jools cheesilly announced that he was going to 'release the boogie' at which point the audience were expected to jump out their seats and start dancing about like mad, raving loonies. Jools and his gang had created so much energy by this point that most of the audience obliged without squabble, although most of us in the gallery chose to remain firmly on our bums.

Leaving the show, I forced my poor dad towards the merchandise stand to buy me a programme and a T-shirt. Of course, as usual these things are pretty extortionate at such events and the queue was massive. I think the programme cost around 5 or 6 pounds, while the T-shirt was about 10 or 12. They had a fair selection of merchandise, and you could also buy Mark Flanagan's CD as well as Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra merchandise.

Straight after this show I made it my mission to buy as many Jools Holland albums as possible (although I discovered some of them are rather hard to get your hands on!), and got on at my dad every morning to book tickets for next year. My dad gave in and bought me the tickets quite early on, and I was more than happy to discover we were very close to the front.

I had to wait for months on December to roll round, and then I found my dad and I traipsing back into the SECC. This time round I wa
s positively itching with excitement, and it's a wonder that my dad didn't have to tie me to my street to stop me bouncing around. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. The band presented us with the same enthusiastic and energetic performance that they'd given us the year before (although obviously they performed some new material this time round). However, I had forgotten about Jools' insistance to 'release the boogie' and realising I was so close to the front, I had to bounce off my seat and dance around like a raving looney whether I liked it or not, but then again, that all added to the fun in the end!

I would recommend a Jools Holland show to absolutely anyone. He is an amazing and engaging pianist and he and the Rhythm and Blues Orchestra present something unique and exciting for people of all age groups.

Tickets are generally around £25 per person, but will no doubt vary slightly from venue to venue. Check out www.joolsholland.com for more tour details.

Capital letters courtesy of: http://www.chuckleweb.co.uk/fixit.php

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