REVIEW: 10cc

BOURNEMOUTH PAVILION THEATRE

Before helping to create 10cc in 1972, Manchester’s Graham Gouldman was already a successful pop songwriter.

He’d written social history songs for The Hollies – the wonderful boy-meets-girl Bus Stop and the hooky Look Through Any Window, plus the evocative Herman’s Hermits’ hit No Milk Today.

Innovative tempo shifts in the Yardbirds’ bluesy For Your Love is a clear indication of where Gouldman’s increasingly ambitious song-writing would lead.

And with the birth of 10cc, Graham Gouldman’s talent was polished to perfection.

Opening this wonderful concert with the catchy Wall Street Shuffle, the symphonic Art For Art’s Sake, and the quirky Life Is A Minestrone, Gouldman’s creative talent is confirmed with intelligent and imaginative lyrics combined with unusual and sophisticated melodies.

Subtle and complex arrangements blend with tight vocal harmonies and sizzling lead guitar on the driving Things We Do For Love, and the Beach Boys nod on The Dean And I.

More than 40 years since their extraordinary first hit Donna – now performed a cappella – 10cc are still filling theatres, delivering classy pop music.

The lushly layered I’m Not In Love with its rich creamy harmonies and ironic lyrics is an unforgettable mini-symphony.

This terrific show’s finale features the homage to reggae music Dreadlock Holiday with its rewritten and venue-friendly lyric: “I don’t like Bournemouth – oh no – I love it!”

The standing ovation encore included the profound I’m Ready To Go Home and the biting bouncy Rubber Bullets.

Brendan McCusker