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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
3:18 PM 18th November 2015
arts

Review: Jools Holland - Harrogate International Centre

 
Jools Holland
Jools Holland
You know that you are always in for a good night out when the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra comes to town and the Harrogate gig was just that.

With his orchestra he has been coming to Harrogate for over 15 years now and his fans always return year after year. What makes the shows so special is his love of music, he always has his mainstay of vocalists such as Ruby Turner but each year he has guest vocalists who you might not always associate with him.

With his 15 piece orchestra that includes an 11 piece brass section it brought the big band sound to life. A huge video screen centre stage showed his nimble fingers playing the piano.

With Louise Marshall and Mabel Ray (Holland's daughter) the two backing singers also got to sing lead vocals, both have powerful voices with Mabel Ray reminding me of Beverley Knight.

Grand Hotel, a song Jools co wrote with Sting brought the mood up and from then on the tempo was on a high.

Pauline Black and Arthur Hendrickson
Pauline Black and Arthur Hendrickson


Pauline Black and Arthur Hendrickson from the late 70s ska group, The Selecter were tonight's special guest vocalists. Making use of the aforementioned brass section, their hits such as Too Much Pressure and On My Radio were given a new lease of life. It was just like going back in time to the ska movement when groups like The Specials and Madness ruled the charts. The youthful energy of Black and Hendrickson belied their age. With Holland now taking a backseat he played tambourine whilst the duo took centre stage.

"Are you ready to witness the Boogie Woogie Queen?" He asks as Ruby Turner takes to the stage. To say she has a powerful voice is an understatement, Jumpin in the Morning showed why she has earned the Boogie Woogie Queen title.

Ruby Turner
Ruby Turner


After 2 hours of entertainment it was nearly all over as the band play their signatory signing off song, Enjoy Yourself, the Prince Buster track that also fits in with tonight's ska influence. Enjoy yourself? We certainly did.