
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. Continue reading »