
What better way to bring in the New Year than with fresh tunes, if you’re a music fan? This simple proposition has made The Jools Holland Hootenanny an institution in the United Kingdom. Presented as live, but recorded a few days before, it allows Holland’s showbiz friends from his 50 years in the business to hang out and play. However he, or his bookers, also find newer artists to showcase. This year two particular highlights of the show were cover versions by younger artists. CMAT’s memorable ‘Without You’ was a showstopper. Former girl band star JADE’s showpiece dynamic disco medley of “Hot Stuff” and “Knock On Wood” was a floor-filling tribute to two divas of the past, in the presence of a third, as Kathy Sledge was also in the lineup for the night.
Jade Thirlwall came to prominence as a member of Little Mix, a girl band assembled as part of the UK version of X Factor. They went on to be one of the most successful bands to come out of that, although Thirlwall herself has noted that the merry-go-round may not have been the best thing for her health, and for others. Nevertheless, as a talented writer and a considerable R&B talent she has been able to launch a successful solo career. The chance to perform with a tight, talented orchestra was one which she embraced fully.
Fully immersed in R&B lore and imagery, she starts her number draped over Holland’s Grand Piano, channelling divas of yore. Some combination of tight leather trousers and/or BBC rules about popstars injuring themselves on screen mean that Holland has to gently escort her down stairs from the instrument, before Thirlwall really lets loose on Eddie Floyd’s “Knock On Wood” as immortalised by Amii Stewart. Her voice and stagecraft rouse the band, assorted pop royalty, military pipe band, and the rest of the studio audience into a singalong to get the year moving.