“I just want to reassure you that we are actually here, not holograms.” It’s an usual way to open a show, but, having seen the technological marvel that is ABBA Voyage a few days previously, Howard Jones wants to emphasise the humanity at the heart of tonight’s show.

Flanked by the eternally youthful Nick Beggs on otherworldly bass and the equally dazzling guitar skills of Robin Boult, Jones looks dapper in a sparkling collared black suit, seated behind his keyboard.

Having first seen him at Live Aid from halfway back of that cavernous space, it was a pleasure to be so close to the performer in the intimate and sonically perfect environment of The Apex, the stripped back nature of the acoustic show really letting the songs breathe.

With anecdotes between each song, it was a perfect evening to appreciate the career spanning set that showed just how fertile and classy a catalogue Jones has, new numbers standing shoulder to shoulder with those from his 1980’s emergence into the airwaves of the world.

Unlike some of his peers, his voice is still a thing of wonderful tones as he goes from the subtle lows to the joyful highs and everywhere in-between. He’s certainly no slouch on the keys either, his playing just as fluid and characterful as his two cohorts.

A high energy ‘Assault and Battery’ kicks off the evening, its bright rhythm shot through with the kind of cool licks that Steely Dan made their own, the following ‘Specialty’ blending its heavy jazz intro with the soaring pop of the chorus.

After these workouts, it was time to slow things down a little and the shimmering ‘Formed by the Stars’ featured some wonderfully delicate fretwork by Boult. Another turn came with the smoky and hopeful ‘Someone You Need’, the Jones and Duncan Sheik co-write having touches of the West End/Broadway musical style that the latter has made his career from.

Throughout the show, shafts of emotional light shone from the stage, brighter than any coloured beam from the rig hanging from the ceiling, connecting the audience to the songs in a way that big, bombastic gigs struggle to do so fully.

There was no sense of the maudlin or overly introspective here though and even when ‘Don’t Always Look at the Rain’ was introduced with a hot off the press story about the execution of the Ukranian conductor Yuriy Kerpatenko by Russian forces, this was sensitively used to highlight the songs lyrics of hope.

With some surprising and highly amusing stories peppered throughout alongside the music, the night certainly had more than a few moments of joy and laughter. There was a tangible and genuine warmth on stage too between the trio, tales and exchanges spoken as much to Beggs and Boult as to the audience, the three sharing smiles.

Of course, the big hits were all present and correct, the audience joining in with fulsome vigor that shook off the sloth of any Sunday evening torpor but some of the best moments were caught through the prism of the later tracks of his career that didn’t necessarily make the charts. The irresistible Latin groove that subtly colours ‘Tomorrow is Now’ and the rolling ‘Everlasting Love’ with its Beatles feel, were both examples of this very thing.

The biggest reactions inevitably were going to be received by the 80’s smashes and ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ and ‘No One is to Blame’ were met by huge cheers, a gorgeous ‘What is Love’ played with dazzling musicianship by the three and ‘New Song’ a veritable firework of sounds that set the synapses ablaze.

It was just down to ‘Hide and Seek’ to close the night, a thing of atmospheric and fragile wonder that left a hauntingly evocative echo ringing around the hall. With friend and fellow musician Nik Kershaw amongst the cheering audience, Jones bowed at the front of the stage, Beggs and Boult joining him, their work done and the world a better, brighter and more hopeful place. Life affirming and positive, more evenings should be as good as this.

Review by Paul Monkhouse

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

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Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

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