Paul and Jane attend a Scaffold concert

TALENT, BUT NO AUDIENCE – How could they match United?

ODEON, DERBY: An evening with the Hollies, Paul Jones, and the Scaffold, with the Mike Vickers Orchestra.

WHEN Hollies’ leader and guitarist Graham Nash quipped that there were more people on the stage than in the audience, he summed up a rather miserable termination of this pint-sized package tour, which took a final bow to a sadly depleted Derby audience last night.

Midweek dates are so badly attended, and what with Manchester United to compete with as well, the concert never rose above average standard — and that was a shame because large helpings of true talent could have been made available.

Scaffold, Roger McGough, John Gorman and Michael McGear, a trio of wonderfully idiotic, yet intelligent fools, were far too subtle for the handful of young girls.

The humour was pure corn, and their poetry was home-spun and superb — yet without an audience it all seemed very pointless and completely wasted.

“Do You Remember” and “Thank U Very Much” realised a few cheers, but these two songs do not paint a true picture of Scaffold. Those two songs are just the commercial Scaffold.

Paul Jones seemed to be a little lost, even with ex-Man-fred Mann “partner” Mike Vickers conducting a pleasant and lively light orchestra for the backing.

“Privilege” was by far his best number, but the rest of his act, which included Arthur Conley’s “Funky Street,” and a host of old Manfred Mann numbers seemed to have been thrown together in a mad rush, along with a toothbrush and a change of suits.

“Privilege” was by far his best number, but the rest of his act, which included Arthur Conley’s “Funky Street,” and a host of old Manfred Mann numbers seemed to have been thrown together in a mad rush, along with a toothbrush and a change of suits.

Until they were joined by the stooping little figure of Mike Vickers and his friends, the Hollies were basically lethargic. But on “King Midas in Reverse”, their brilliance managed to shine through the heavy clouds.

The orchestra mixed well, and gave the Hollies more scope to tackle “Butterfly,” “Carrie Anne” and a bouncy “Taste of Honey.” They finished well after a shocking start.

For the Hollies — this has been their seventh tour in five-and-a-half years — it must have been a dismal finale for such an inventive group. They deserved a better ending — but they had the consolation of that 4-1 win by their home team.

An interview with the Hollies will appear in the “Saturday Page” of the Picture Edition.

From Evening Telegraph – May 30, 1968