Review: Jools Holland, Rochester Castle Concerts, Wednesday, July 18

by Dan Bloom

When the clouds relieved themselves, Jools Holland grimaced.

He stepped to the front of the stage and declared he would banish the storm from the Rochester Castle Concerts. Magically, it worked.

Jools has spent so long championing others on his BBC music show, Later, it's easy to neglect his own talents.

So it was a pleasure to see the boogie-woogie piano king keep everyone warm in a tight two-hour set.

It was the first time his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra had graced the stage since 2009 and a good-natured, festival-like crowd paid for the pleasure.

Revellers spanning a good 70 years were mud-dancing by the stage, oo-ing and aah-ing and ha-ha-ha-ing along. The tunes were easy choices, of course - big crowd-pleasers like Enjoy Yourself (It's later than you think).

But Jools had a few tricks hidden between the ivories, like when he rolled into a dramatic classical solo to a big round of applause. As ever, the band pulled out a series of guests. Favourites, like the booming, soulful Ruby Turner joined Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals.

None were more impressive, though, than 82-year-old father of British jazz Chris Barber. Hunched over his trombone he played laid-back, easy-going solos with a small smile for the crowd.

The castle gigs have to follow a formula to win over such a varied crowd. Jools' triumphant homecoming was proof the organisers have that formula down to a tee. The crowd loved it.