Review: Jools Holland at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

In a week which saw record-breaking temperatures and crowds up on last year by 44 per cent it was fitting that the final concert should be a celebration.

The week's evening concerts have shown just how many different styles of music are played at the eisteddfod. And whether it be opera, folk, Verdi choral or rhythm and blues there is one similarity, top quality.

President of the Eisteddfod, Terry Waite said last night that the week had been hugely successful. "I understand that numbers visiting have been 44 per cent up on some days," he said.

"This is wonderful news"

After the Adelaide chamber choir took the Choir of the World title at Llangollen on Saturday it was left to the very British Jools Holland to triumph last night.

However he had a hard act to follow in the talented singer/songwriter, Al Lewis from north Wales. His repertoire includes songs in both English and his native Welsh.

Jools Holland and his orchestra burst onto stage with a high energy sound. They soon had the audience in the palm of their hands with quality solos and an all-round party sound.

Holland's guests included singers Rosie Mae and Louise Marshall. I was delighted to realise another guest was one of my teenage crushes, Roland Gift from Fine Young Cannibals.

Then of course there was star guest Ruby Turner, who belted out classic blues numbers that, by then, had almost the entire 4,000 strong audience up on their feet and dancing.

Holland is not only a wonderful keyboard and piano player and singer he is a showman. But, brilliant as he was, the star of the night for me was the musician who stayed on stage the whole night and, despite the extreme heat, remained cool and collected in jacket and tie.

Drummer, Gilson Lavis, who served in Squeeze with Holland, was outstanding and his drum solo deservedly brought the house down.

Sue Austin