Jools Holland - Sherborne Castle

It's the slightly manic grin that walks on stage first, followed by the rest of Jools Holland and his R&B orchestra. He's a showman fronting some prodigious talent, hard work and excitement at being on stage. His piano playing is so dextrous that I feel like giving up ever playing again. The R&B engine gets into gear with several warming numbers before Louise Marshall, superb vocalist gives a poigant slow blues interlude dedicated to Amy Winehouse. Ironically, this was ruined for us due to some drunk ladies being ignorant. The pack a picnic and party advice does come at a cost. In Vivary Park Taunton two years ago it was the gents needing bouncer 'assistance' to make an early exit. Sandie Shaw gave an interesting 60s meets Jools interlude starting with Love Me Do. I liked her Puppet on a String, slow groove and winsome, although some did not. I heard she doesn't like singing it and her approach was constructive. She was fun, her attire looking like some curtain offcuts from a bin out the back of Fine Fabrics. The funky shorts seemed to be deliberately barking. Like Jools, part of Ruby Turner's anatomy arrives on stage before the rest of her, and as usual, she gave a thunderous vocal performance. It's all a great formula.