Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra

Image by Unsplash

At the last minute, we managed to get seats, in the very back row of the balcony, to see Jools Holland and his band at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. What a great, upbeat evening - Jools’ effervescence carrying us, through back-to-back songs, from one style to the next and one guest to the next.

His band are hugely talented and we were treated to guest appearances from Mabel Ray, who gave us a beautiful rendition of ‘Jealous Guy,’ silky-voiced Sumudu and 19-year-old Toby Lee from Cornwall, whose ‘House on Fire’ I loved.

Next, we enjoyed a very unexpected 80’s throwback with the arrival on stage of Marc Almond! When I booked to see Jools Holland, I did not expect the delight of belting out ‘Tainted Love!’

But the best was saved till last as on came Ruby Turner – with almost as much musical energy as Jools himself. For her, music isn’t a performance, it seems to ooze from her very pores. The finale was ‘Peace in the Valley.’ This gospel song by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey has been sung by many artists but it always brings Elvis to my mind. Jools, Ruby and Elvis – a match made in heaven, which is what the song’s about!