Review: Jools Holland at Ludlow Festival
[gallery] The irrepressible Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra made Ludlow Castle swing when they wowed a sell-out audience.
About 3,000 fans packed into the castle for the performance – one of the last events of the inaugural Ludlow Arts Festival.
Holland's gig on Saturday night had been sold out well in advance and the army of music lovers who crammed into the ancient venue's grounds saw him and his big band at their best.
Holland's 20-piece Rhythm and Blues Orchestra featured former Squeeze drummer Gilson Lavis who has been with the star for more than 25 years.
Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall as were also on hand to add to the night with their spectacular vocals.
If that were not enough for die-hards, Roland Gift of the Fine Young Cannibals made a guest appearance.
Gates opened at 5.30pm and the grounds soon started to fill up with festival-goers who were kept entertained as the evening built towards its climax.
Support to the star attraction was the immensely talented American singer-songwriter Nell Bryden whose performance won her many new fans who queued up for copies of her CD after the gig.
Boogie-woogie supremo Holland said before Saturday's show he had been"thrilled" when he knew Ludlow Castle would be on his tour list, recalling a "great, great night" at the same venue more than a decade ago.
He said a great venue, warm weather and an appreciative audience were the key components of a successful show and he got all of those in spades – even the sun came out to add to the occasion just minutes after Holland and the band stepped on stage.
Among the fans were Only Fools and Horses star John Challis, aka Boycie, with friend actor Frazer Hines, best known for his portrayal of Joe Sugden in Emmerdale.
Mr Challis said: "I'm a big fan of Jools, in fact I love all rhythm and blues music and so I love the stuff he plays."
Holland's outfit on Saturday included five saxophonists and four trombones which he said made it a "proper" big band.
By Simon Hardy
