Jools thrill fans in forest
Music legend Jools Holland shook the trees as thousands of revellers danced the night away in the middle of Cannock Chase.
Rain failed to dampen spirits when it arrived late in the evening, as the renowned musician brought the curtain down on a trio of forest concerts at the beauty spot yesterday.
His two-hour show was a non-stop roller coaster ride of honky tonk blues, boogie-woogie, swing and jazz, which lifted almost all of the audience out of their seats.
And the fun reached a peak when guest singer Lulu belted out her biggest hit, Shout, with the crowd of around 2,000 people singing along.
Many of Jools's 19-piece Rhythm and Blues orchestra enjoyed solos during the show, which also featured the "boogie-woogie Queen" Ruby Turner and vocalist Billy Godfrey.
Many fans arrived early with picnics and chairs to stake their claim on a good spot at the amphitheatre-like venue.
And most were bowled over by Jools's concert and its location.
Chris Wood, aged 50, from Abbots Bromley, near Rugeley, said: "This is so much better than last time I saw him.
"The acoustics here with the basin around the stage are amazing, the sound is fantastic.
"And Jools is the consummate showman in the old school who has the repartee with the crowd."
Wendy Wraight, from Cannock, said: "I like jazz and blues, it is the music more than Jools, but the setting is also excellent."
Diane Debens, from Stone, said: "Jools gets you bopping and really makes the audience feel like part of the show."
Jenny Haycock, from Stafford, added: "I came to this concert because I love watching him on the television, he is so special and entertains everybody of all ages."
More than 10,000 music fans have enjoyed the three concerts at the Birches Valley Forest Centre, with popular band The Feeling getting things started on Friday, followed by singer-songwriter James Morrison on Saturday night.
It is hoped this year's concerts will make a profit to be ploughed back into the Chase, as last year's broke even due to the cost of excavating the site which now needs little upkeep.
Musician Dermot Elliot, of Cannock, said he hoped the concerts would continue for many years to come.
"I love it here because it isn't packed, it is a very chilled atmosphere," he said.
"Perhaps it is a more mature audience than most concerts, but I also think the organisers have got it right and you don't get to go to something like this very often."
Lesley Morris, also of Cannock, said: "I have been to see Jools three times at much bigger venues but this is such a fantastic place. It is beautiful, natural surroundings."
