Dennis Locorriere @ The Lowry
Chris Brierley

22/04/07

THERE’S a space in my musical memory that holds a special section for Dr Hook.

It’s not that I had a girlfriend called Sylvia or because of my wife's sexy eyes.

It's because a tape of Dr Hook’s greatest hits always kept the kids happy on summer holidays as we travelled through France.

You Make My Pants Wanna Get Up and Dance was guaranteed to keep them singing along while we trundled along the autoroute.

It was music that brought a smile to all our faces and at the Lowry on Sunday Dennis Locorriere, the voice behind all those famous songs, had a packed theatre laughing and singing the night away.

It’s 22 years since the original Dr Hook decided to go their separate ways but from the moment Locorriere bounded on to the stage with Walk Right In the audience were clapping and singing along while the 58-year-old frontman milked it for all it was worth like the seasoned professional he is.

The voice is a bit more gravelly but he looked in great shape and the old hits kept rolling out ­– More Like The Movies, If Not You, When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman, A Couple More Years. Each one was interspersed with playful banter with the audience.

Wag

“Play one we know” joked one wag. “I’m just happy I can play one I know,” replied Locorriere.

The band, formed way back in 1968, split up in the mid-eighties when Ray Sawyer ­ – the one with the eye patch – left to pursue a solo career later performing Dr Hook songs on the road.

Locorriere dropped out of the limelight until a few years ago when he started touring on his own. This time round he has five new members in his band including guitarist Clive Gregson from Manchester.

Sunday’s gig was the final date in an seven week tour of Britain and Locorriere was certainly enjoying himself as much as the fans.

“For 15 years I toured 300 days a year with Dr Hook but in 1985 we split up and for 15 years I kept my head down, until I decided to pop it up again,” he said, “night’s like this make it all worthwhile.”

Then he wound up a wonderful evening tinged with nostalgia with Years From Now. Let’s hope it’s not too many years before he’s back.

Dennis Locorriere @ Philharmonic
Spencer Leigh takes a trip to the Liverpool Philharmonic to see Dennis Locorriere recreate his hits with Dr Hook, but did it live up to his fond memories of the 1970s?

Dr Hook was one of the great bands of the 70s with a combination of witty songs, often by Shel Silverstein, and romantic ballads. They split up somewhat acrimoniously – essentially, they were worn out after years on the road - and as Dennis Locorriere said to me, “The only people who never talk about a Dr Hook reunion are the members of Dr Hook themselves.”

..... this year’s tour is different as Dennis decided to embrace the Hook legacy and do a full set of Dr Hook material. For the first time in years, he had a band with him and what an excellent five piece band it was including Clive Gregson (the Manchester singer/songwriter who is often seen with Nanci Griffith), Andy Roberts (formerly with Grimms and Liverpool Scene), Mark Griffiths (Plainsong, Matthews Southern Comfort), Sev Lewkowicz and Martin Hughes. Their arrangements were superb and included a thrilling, 10 minute workout with extended guitar solos on ‘Hearts Like Yours And Mine’, while ‘The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan’ had Clive Gregson’s accordion augmenting the references to Paris in the lyric.

Immensely entertaining
There was a full house at the Philharmonic Hall and several hands shot up when Dennis asked if anybody was seeing him for the first time. “What took you so long?” said the 57 year old, “Why did you wait until I was nearly dead?” His banter with the audience is the best there is and an entertainment in itself. When he had difficulty tuning his guitar, someone shouted, “Charlie Bennett can do that for you” which led to a very funny discussion about some local guitar teacher. When he paused dramatically before singing the opening words of one of his hits, someone sang them out for him: “I know the words,” he responded, “I know what I’m doing.”

Dennis got the whole audience to sing along with ‘The Cover Of Rolling Stone’, an hilarious song about not quite making it as a superstar: Dr Hook clearly knew how to make fun of themselves. Clearly, the ladies found the slimmed-down Dennis Locorriere very attractive as they screamed when he sang “Who’s gonna want me in bed?” during ‘If Not You’. “They never scream on the line, ‘Who’s gonna iron my shirts?’” he once told me, “They don’t realise I’m just looking for somebody to do my laundry.”

This was an immensely entertaining show and I would guess that most people would not realise how many great songs Dr Hook was responsible for. I loved the comedy numbers – ‘The Millionaire’, ‘Freakin’ At The Freakers’ Ball’ – but by and large, Dennis was performing the romantic hits – ‘Sexy Eyes’, ‘When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman’, ‘More Like The Movies’ and ‘A Little Bit More’. “I like to think I’m romantic,” said Dennis, “but two ex-wives will tell you that I’m not.” ...

"His banter with the audience is the best there is and an entertainment in itself."
Spencer Leigh

REVIEW: DENNIS LOCORRIERE, VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY

Dennis Locorriere, ex guitarist and vocalist from 70s legends Dr Hook and the Medicine Men (he was the one without the eye patch), bought his distinctive musical style to the Victoria Hall in Hanley last night.

The support was provided by another famous name from that era, Smokey ex-lead singer, Chis Norman.

This was an unexpected bonus for me, as I sang along to classics that included Alice and I'll Meet You At Midnight. Chris provided an excellent start to the night, but a 20-minute interval after just half an hour could have cooled things down before the show had even begun.

However, when Dennis made his entrance, his strong stage presence and pounding music meant the atmosphere was quickly regained and he gave the audience exactly what they wanted.

Dennis's performance, supported by his band, showcased his talent and versatility.

Dennis is a showman and engaged the audience with spontaneous humour and background to the songs, creating an intimate atmosphere.

The music included rock and pop, with some impressive instrumental guitar pieces. However, for me, what he did best were those husky ballads for which Dr Hook et al are best known, such as More Like the Movies and A Little Bit More.

His interpretation of Ballad of Lucy Jordan could only be described as outstanding.

... this was a superb night and Dennis, with his distinct whisky-over-gravel voice, can still deliver powerful, enchanting music, which comes straight from the heart.

Fern Basnett

THE soulful voice of Dr Hook arrived in South Shields to yet another full house and didn't disappoint.

The joy of Locorriere is that although he's an old pro, he knows he still has to work hard to win over an audience. His witty banter and general relaxed state always had him on the same level as the crowd and they loved it.

There was the usual smattering of Dr Hook classics as well as work from his two solo albums, and not one song sounded out of place.

The set list was perfectly put together and although there were 400 people in the auditorium, at times it felt like he was performing to just you in your front room. Rarely will a more powerful and inspiring performance from one man and a guitar be seen on stage.

Dennis Locorriere, Ramada Hotel..
BEWDLEY Festival got off to a terrific start with an enthusiastic performance by Dennis Locorriere.....

He talked intimately to the sell-out audience with amusing and moving stories between songs, performing a see-saw tempo mixing melodic ballads and country numbers with almost manic powerful performances of more lively numbers.

He mentioned his two solo albums Out of the Dark and One of the Lucky Ones, performing the upbeat Lazy Day and the sensitive Underneath the Moon to warm responses from the audience.

The Dr Hook hits rolled along with ease including A Couple More Years, If Not You and When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman (with chorus harmony singing by the audience a particular success.) The Queen of the Silver Dollar brought the bulb down from the downlight but this failed to faze the professional performer.

Few singers/guitarists could rely on such an extensive back catalogue of their own compositions and the range of his strong voice and accomplished guitar playing did credit to his writing.

I have not seen a performer creating their own echoes and fading effects by running so enthusiastically from the front to the back of the stage before.

Percussion was achieved by foot stomping and drumming on his guitar fret-boards.

He also showcased songs by other writers, including the Sam Cooke hit Only Sixteen which went down well.

The evening was superb for variety and entertainment lasting until 11pm.

I had not seen Dennis Locorriere perform live before and would recommend any fan of guitar music from rock to country to watch him. DLT

Dennis Locorriere, Ferneham Hall, Fareham

Dennis Locorriere, the former lead singer of Dr Hook, entertained a rapturous crowd for more than two hours with one of the most distinctive and instantly recognisable voices in popular music.

That amazing voice, ranging from husky tenderness to gritty power, swooping from bass to falsetto, combined with 35 years of confident stage presence, touched many hearts.

The songs he writes and sings are meaningful stories with carefully-crafted lyrics and memorable melodies, from the early Dr. Hook ballads - If Not You, Never Got To Hear Those Violins and That's All - to the disco-influenced When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman.

His versatile rhythm guitar expertise negated the need for bass and drums but some of the songs yearned for a steel guitar or a string section.

Nevertheless, four standing ovations and encores confirmed Dennis Locorriere as an exceptional singer-songwriter.

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Just Dennis and his guitar and that rich, golden voice offered up over 20 songs covering loads of Hook hits and a selection from his revitalised solo career.

A skilled and versatile guitarist as well as one of the greatest voices in pop, the charismatic Dennis achieved an instant rapport with the crowd as he belted out Queen of the Silver Dollar, The Millionaire, and Carrie Me Carrie from the Hook days and new self-written songs like The Heat and Shine Son.

All got an equally enthusiastic response from an enthralled audience.

"Incredible!" said the lady next to me at the end of the gig as Dennis encored with Sylvia's Mother, and I wouldn't argue with that.

Superb entertainment from a warm and gifted entertainer on top form. This is Hampshire

Dennis Puts Meaning Back in Superstar

DENNIS Locorriere wowed the Waterfront Hall at the weekend with a solo show that would put many performers half his age to shame.

Indeed, in an era when the term 'superstar' is quickly applied to those who have been in the music business for what seems to be the equivalent of 15 minutes, Locorriere demonstrated the true meaning of the word.

On stage with just his guitar for company, the 53-year-old Locorriere showed that his inimitable voice is as powerful as ever, and that his passion for the songs that established him as an international star is undiminished.

In fact, like a fine wine, New Jersey-born Locorriere just improves with the passing of time.

He thrilled the audience, which included many younger fans, with a mix of 70s classics from his years as lead singer with Dr Hook and more recent material, especially from his first solo album, Out of the Dark, released in 2000.

Whoops of delight went up as the first bars of huge hit songs such as Sylvia's Mother, When You're In Love with a Beautiful Woman, A Little Bit More and the Ballad of Lucy Jordan were instantly recognised songs with an enduring appeal which, to many, were a soundtrack to large parts of the 70s and which won Dr Hook more than 60 gold and platinum albums and No1 chart records in 42 countries.

Among the newer tracks he performed, including The Right to Walk Away, and the Heat, Locorriere sang a song he is especially proud of - Shine, Son - written for his son, JesseJames, and looking at their relationship as the young man was setting off for university.

Locorriere comes across as the life and soul of the party, a consummate professional, who quickly establishes a rapport with the crowd. When he asked if anyone was seeing him for the first time, and a few hands shot up, he quipped why had they waited 'until he was almost dead'.

Talking about Sylvia's Mother - written by the late Shel Silverstein, his friend and musical collaborator - he joked that he felt at times that people could be so bored with it that he ran the risk of being beaten up but, if he didn't play it, he was also in danger of getting a beating!

Locorriere closed with a rousing Over the Years, paying tribute to the warmth of Northern Ireland audiences. But, despite the staminasapping set, he looked as if he had enjoyed the gig so much that he could have started all over again.

They don't make 'em like that any more!

Concert Review: Dr.Hook Star Lives Up To His Legendary Status By Eddie Hearne

DR. HOOK star, Dennis Locorriere, fully lived up to his world-wide reputation as one of the most enduring musical legends of our time when he enthralled a capacity audience at Stage 2 at The Forum on Wednesday night last. Burly, bearded and sporting a stock of shoulder-length hair, the US-born former frontman of Dr. Hook, showed that the passage of more than three decades has done precious little to blunt his distinctive voice and enthusiasm. Dennis oozed star quality and charisma in a performance lasting an hour and forty minutes. He held his appreciative audience spell-bound with over twenty numbers including the timeless classics, some of which he helped pen in collaboration with his renowned songwriting friend, the late Shel Silverstein, which earned them more than sixty gold and platinum discs with No. 1 hits in forty-two countries. Dennis arrived on stage unannounced, opening with several numbers from his recently released album Out Of The Dark. Instant applause greeted the opening notes of If Not You, one of his hits from the 1970s and early ’80s. Only Sixteen and I’ve Got A Couple More Years On You Baby — covered by Ronnie Drew — were also warmly received. Dennis Locorriere demonstrated his artistry on guitar with a full-blooded rendition of Queen Of The Silver Dollar and When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman. The song, which he wrote for his son Jesse, Wanna See My Son Shine, was wonderfully sensitive as was his 1976 hit A Little Bit More and The Ballad of Lucy Jordan. WARM RAPPORT His hit single, Cover Of The Rolling Stones, reflected his warm rapport with the audience whose shouts for “more” were rewarded with a double encore — Sylvia’s Mother, the song with which Denis Locorriere will forever be synonymous and finally, Years From Now another of his classics. This was yet another truly memorable night at The Forum, ranking alongside the appearances by other legends such as Johnny Cash at the popular venue in The Glen. Full credit on this occasion is due to local promoters Shay Quinn and his partner, Karen, of Crystal Star Promotions, for keeping the faith and giving the Waterford public an opportunity to see such a hugely talented entertainer live in concert, culminating in a fabulous gig. It was very encouraging also to see a “full house” on a night particularly as Man. United and Juventus were a big counter attraction on ‘the box’.

WATERFORD NEWS & STAR

"Thanks to Sarah Hemmings for the very coooool drawing. Sarah, you didn't miss a thing!" D.L.x~

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