ShareFlashback To The 70’s at Clumber Park on Friday 21st August 2015, featuring Odyssey, Hot Chocolate, The Real Thing, Boney M and Sister Sledge.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
Last night over 2000 people made their way to the beautiful surroundings of the National Trust’s Clumber Park Estate for the first of two nights of pure pop nostalgia. Billed as a Flashback to the 70’s, the crowd took an eager trip down memory lane. There was no shortage of huge afro wigs, iridescent flared trousers and fancy dress costumes as Odyssey took to the stage to take us back to our roots. Now fronted by Steven Collazo, they had this crowd singing along to such classics as, Use It Up And Wear It Out and their huge hit, Native New Yorker.
Following on was Hot Chocolate, who were rarely out of the charts in the 70’s. Transporting us back in time with songs such as So You Win Again, It Started With A Kiss and Emma, the crowd were soon singing along. With such clear fondness for these oldies, it was not hard to see why You Sexy Thing made the top ten in three consecutive decades.
With platform shoes at the ready, the crowd warmly welcomed The Real Thing to the park. Hits such as You To Me Are Everything, Can’t Get By Without You and Can You Feel The Force? were belted out as arms were waved and fond memories recalled.
With original member Maizie Williams still in the band, Boney M reminded us why they were one of the most successful bands of that era. Hits such as Ma Baker, Rasputin, and Brown Girl In The Ring defied anyone not to sing along, whist their cover of Rivers Of Babylon still remains one of the top ten all-time best selling singles in the UK.
The last dance was saved for Sister Sledge, whose disco hits from the 70’s are still instantly recognisable. Managing to get even the dad’s out of their folding chairs to deliver some shapes and some 70’s moves, songs like He’s The Greatest Dancer, Lost In Music and We Are Family brought this evening’s entertainment to a close.
It had all been cheesier than a stinky camembert, but it had been really great fun. Whilst some of the vocals may not have stood the test of time and of course band members have changed, this wasn’t an evening for die hard music fans. But it was an evening of pure entertainment and there is no age limit on having a good time; just ask this crowd at Clumber Park.
