Elly Roberts reviews

For one night only, their kind of soul became our kind of soul., In a dazzling display of blue-eyed soul, Daryl Hall and John Oates rolled back the years in front of an ecstatic three thousand crowd in the packed Carling Apollo. This, the third time I’ve seen them, proved to be their best performance to date. In 1982 they played as headline at the NEC Birmingham, then 1990 saw them support Fleetwood Mac at Maine Road Manchester. Big stadiums are not suited for their sophisticated sound,so it was good to hear them play a more intimate venue. After all, soul requires intimacy, and they’ve definitely found their spiritual home at the Apollo. What could be regarded as a good old fashioned ‘Soul Revue’,the tall blonde one and the tiny Latino held court in a manner fitting their status as America’s most successful duo of all-time. Their latest CD, Our Kind Of Soul, is blatantly self-indulgent, overworked and uninspiring. Shoddy arrangements was its Achilles heel. Those criticisms could not be levelled at them this night. Hit after hit delighted their hardcore fanbase, receiving a standing ovation for most songs.

Hall (above-right), the tall lean 55 year-old reminded us why the pair are the most successful duo to ever emerge from the USA. Yes, even ahead of Simon and Garfunkel. The pair were lapping it up, particularly Hall’s silky smooth and emotive vocal gymnastics, sounding better than ever, and career reference to the incredible (ironically) Live At The Apollo in Harlem New York exactly 20 years ago. On previous occasions he a had propensity for over stretching and often wailing his God-given voice. Now he’s more disciplined, comfortable and much more effective. Sidekick John Oates (right) doesn’t get the lion’s share of singing, but when his time comes he’s the perfect compliment for Hall. Close-knit harmonies, lush melodies and some rocking guitars synthesised perfectly. From opener,a ‘Motownesque’ Maneater, and a cover of Mike Oldfield’s Family Man, the band were as hot as hell. Later, a tribute to late friend Dan Hartman brought out a sublime rendition of I Can Dream About You from their latest album.

Hall looking relaxed and wearing a perma-smile, he constantly flicked his famous golden mane. His voice has acquired a new found timbre. Stretching across all songs, he showed he is still the greatest living white soul singer on the planet. His love affair with the Philly Sound is there for all to see,which shone through on The O’Jays’ Used To Be My Girl. Four ballads in rapid succession, She’s Gone, One On One, punctuated by an impromptu fan request as they beefed up the atmosphere with a thumping Say It Isn’t So, then taking it down again on Sara Smile and You Are Everything which brought the crowd out of its shell. As slick as you like, it led into a funked-up I Can’t Go For That bringing the crowd to their feet.Multiple encores brought anthemics like Rich Girl, Your Kiss Is On My List and Private Eyes capping a momentous night. Finally, Hall left us with the divine So Close to rapturous applause. Technically,the sound was flawless, a fitting tribute to a superb engineer.

Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.

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