Jools Holland & His Rhythm And Blues Orchestra with special guest Chris Difford perform at The Thoresby Estate Nottinghamshire on Sunday 21st August 2016


Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

Usually the Sunday night of the Flashback Festival weekend ends with guests that produce gentle and serene performances. Not so this year as Jools Holland & His Rhythm And Blues Orchestra made sure that these three days of music at the lovely Thoresby Estate, ended with a bang and not a whimper.

With the British summer weather again being unpredictable, the evening began with a delightful performance from vintage jazz musicians, Martyna Wren and Greg Coulson. Showing just how talented they are, the crowd were treated to The Lions Share, The Right Place, and Storm In A Teacup. With their delightful vocals and great musical skills, this audience showed their appreciation as they finished their set with a cover of Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Up next was Mark Flanagan, who in 1988 moved next door to Jools Holland and has since been a guitarist in his Rhythm And Blues Orchestra. He delighted this crowd with his own set which included songs from his albums; All The Way To Brixton, Carry Me Down and The Chosen Few. Jools Holland is known for surrounding himself with great musicians, and Mark Flanagan is no exception.

If you are a rhythm and blues fan and you love boogie woogie, then there was no other place to be as Jools Holland and his immensely talented Orchestra took to the stage. With the awesome Holland on the ivories, he was also joined by Louise Marshall and Beth Rowley, who both performed immense solos.

With a set which included an explosion of styles, showcasing everything from blues to jazz and boogie woogie, a spot of big band with a great dollop of soul and R‘n’B as well as some scorching gospel, there was something for everyone.

Regularly touring with a special guest, last night was no exception as Chris Difford of Squeeze fame took to the stage to deliver Up The Junction, Take Me I’m Yours and Cool For Cats. Having been given the Jools Holland treatment these great songs were given a new lease of life.

As well as great musical solos from this very talented band, and with the crowd buzzing, Ruby Turner appeared to take the whole thing up a notch further. With her incredible voice her version of Peace In The Valley produced goose bumps on top of goose bumps and rattled every window of Thoresby Hall.

Finishing with Enjoy Yourself It’s Later Than You Think, the party had come to an end. The crowd were very wet and it was late but they had certainly enjoyed themselves.