The Searchers
bring back the Swinging 60s at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester
by Guest Reviewer - Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
bring back the Swinging 60s at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester
by Guest Reviewer - Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
When you think of a show where a popular sixties group is performing, you know that this will also refer to the age of the audience. However, although this was the case at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, The Searchers made sure everyone was young at heart. Frank Allen who acted as the front man had a nice line of patter with jokes and anecdotes, aided by little asides from the group’s founder John McNally. As Keith Rogers from Phoenix Radio observed, his banter was as entertaining as some of The Searchers’ numbers. They started the set with Sweets for my Sweet and Frank soon had a sell-out crowd joining in singing the familiar songs.
The group have been recording and touring for fifty-four years, although the line-up has changed during that time. Only John McNally, who was the founder member of the group, appeared on all their records. Frank Allen joined them after the departure of Tony Jackson at the time of their success with, When I walk in the Room. However, the current line-up made their old songs sound as good as the originals. Included in the original group was drummer Chris Curtis and vocalist Mike Pender, whose place is now taken by the current singer, Spencer James, who has been with the Searchers for over twenty years. Scott Ottaway, who provided sterling support on the drums, completed the line-up.
The group performed for two hours with no support acts; the vibrant, distinctive jangle of the twelve-string guitar, which remains a most important feature of their sound, and rich harmonies were still as good today as they were in the sixties. The audience had come to hear all the greatest hits and they were not disappointed. There was Love Potion No. 9, Ain’t Gonna Kiss You No More, Saturday Night Out, Needles and Pins and many more.
As well as their own songs, they played some material made famous by other people, not as covers, but because it had particular relevance. Spencer performed a powerful rendition of Roy Orbison’s Running Scared, and they also performed a great version of Dylan’s Mr Tambourine Man. Frank Allen explained that the American group The Byrds, who had a hit with this song, had reportedly said that their biggest influence was the English group The Searchers. Although, usually the lead guitar, John also took on the role of singer for a couple of numbers, including All My Sorrows. They also dedicated a song to Chris Curtis, their original drummer and Tony Jackson who have both passed away. They ended with a sing-along of You’ll Never Walk Alone, for Gerry Marsden of the Pacemakers who had to drop out of a sixties package show due to ill health.
One noticeable difference from the last time I attended a Searchers’concert, was that there were no young girls screaming - so we could actually hear how good the songs were. Also, the audience were not constantly using their iPhones to flash away during the performance. There was a lot of invited audience participation and when, for a finale, they reprised a medley of their hits, the audience were dancing in the aisles. Not content with an exhausting session they came out afterwards to meet and greet their fans.
If you want a great evening’s entertainment, where you can sing along to the old hits, check out whether the Searchers are appearing at a venue near you. The tour continues all over the United Kingdom together with some Australian and German dates throughout 2016. Check the Searchers’ website for details. At the same time, they will also be performing in the Sixties Gold Tour, together with other acts such as P J Proby. They can be seen in Southend at the Cliffs Pavilion on Sunday 25 September, tickets available from the Box Office on 01702 351135 or online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk
The group have been recording and touring for fifty-four years, although the line-up has changed during that time. Only John McNally, who was the founder member of the group, appeared on all their records. Frank Allen joined them after the departure of Tony Jackson at the time of their success with, When I walk in the Room. However, the current line-up made their old songs sound as good as the originals. Included in the original group was drummer Chris Curtis and vocalist Mike Pender, whose place is now taken by the current singer, Spencer James, who has been with the Searchers for over twenty years. Scott Ottaway, who provided sterling support on the drums, completed the line-up.
The group performed for two hours with no support acts; the vibrant, distinctive jangle of the twelve-string guitar, which remains a most important feature of their sound, and rich harmonies were still as good today as they were in the sixties. The audience had come to hear all the greatest hits and they were not disappointed. There was Love Potion No. 9, Ain’t Gonna Kiss You No More, Saturday Night Out, Needles and Pins and many more.
As well as their own songs, they played some material made famous by other people, not as covers, but because it had particular relevance. Spencer performed a powerful rendition of Roy Orbison’s Running Scared, and they also performed a great version of Dylan’s Mr Tambourine Man. Frank Allen explained that the American group The Byrds, who had a hit with this song, had reportedly said that their biggest influence was the English group The Searchers. Although, usually the lead guitar, John also took on the role of singer for a couple of numbers, including All My Sorrows. They also dedicated a song to Chris Curtis, their original drummer and Tony Jackson who have both passed away. They ended with a sing-along of You’ll Never Walk Alone, for Gerry Marsden of the Pacemakers who had to drop out of a sixties package show due to ill health.
One noticeable difference from the last time I attended a Searchers’concert, was that there were no young girls screaming - so we could actually hear how good the songs were. Also, the audience were not constantly using their iPhones to flash away during the performance. There was a lot of invited audience participation and when, for a finale, they reprised a medley of their hits, the audience were dancing in the aisles. Not content with an exhausting session they came out afterwards to meet and greet their fans.
If you want a great evening’s entertainment, where you can sing along to the old hits, check out whether the Searchers are appearing at a venue near you. The tour continues all over the United Kingdom together with some Australian and German dates throughout 2016. Check the Searchers’ website for details. At the same time, they will also be performing in the Sixties Gold Tour, together with other acts such as P J Proby. They can be seen in Southend at the Cliffs Pavilion on Sunday 25 September, tickets available from the Box Office on 01702 351135 or online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Ask the Audience
Steve & Jill from Colchester
“They are brilliant – you’d never believe their age. If you want to have a good evening out, come and see the Searchers.”