Live

Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra: Hampton Court Palace, Surrey 6/6/19

Jools Holland opened this year’s Hampton Court music festival with aplomb. Kicking off with "Hamp’s Boogie Woofing" he got the party going with his infectious boogie-woogie piano, backed by his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra of 17 musicians and backing vocalists, with an eleven-strong brass section."Jump For Joy" continued the boogie theme.

A ska number - one of the themes of the night - preceded with Holland's daughter Mabel Ray taking the lead on "Another Valentine". Holland met Loussier with his rendition of Bach Prelude #1.

A Jools Holland show always provides quality guest vocalists, and this was no exception... Louise Marshall stepped out of the backing vocal shadows to deliver stunning vocals on "Sweet County Love Song" and "Let It Roll".

Next up, Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson and Pauline Black from 2 Tone ska outfit The Selector, raised the tempo with 4 tracks, including "Too Much Pressure" and "On My Radio". The crowd lapped this up, just as they had done 12 months earlier when Jools had brought on Marc Almond for a bit of "Tainted Love" at the Palace.

Now it was back to the boogie with the Fats Domino number "You Done Me Wrong", featuring the brass section and a blistering solo by saxophone legend Derek Nash...who together with his pineapple shaker is a mainstay of this excellent band.

Longtime Holland collaborator Ruby Turner brought the show to a fitting climax with several numbers of powerful gospel-infused soul: "Morning Noon And Night", "The Informer" and "Get Away Jordan" all stood out.

Good Time Jools had struck gold again! For me, he is always on the money and so are his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, who exuberantly delivered encore songs "Shake That Thing", the ska version of "Enjoy Yourself" and closed in yet more style with "Alright, OK You Win". It was party time as ever with this consummate professional and his musicians.
Words CHAZ BROOKS