CONCERT REVIEW: Squeeze at Tarrytown Music Hall

Photo: Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook sings for the sold-out crowd at the Tarrytown Music Hall. Photo by John Soltes.

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TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — The British rock band Squeeze are bringing their many hits to fans across North America this year. Whether they are opening for Hall & Oates in large arenas or venturing out solo in a variety of theaters, the group is offering a fast-paced nostalgia trip for both diehards and newbies alike.

At their Sunday, March 1 concert at the Tarrytown Music Hall, the energy was solid from the first tune to the encore. The sold-out crowd responded in kind, singing along, getting up to dance for the hits and genuinely leaving with wide-faced smiles.

Squeeze did not disappoint.

The 100-minute performance, starting almost right at 8 p.m., opened with a series of upbeat songs, including “Is That Love,” “Up the Junction” and the crowd favorite “Slap and Tickle.”

This so-called Songbook tour is heavy on the hits, which was welcome news for the assembled crowd. Almost every tune received the requisite cheers when the audience figured out what was about to be played. This was most apparent on “Pulling Mussels (From the Shell),” a song that stands up decades after its initial release.

The new-wave rockers kept the enthusiasm going on such tunes as “Cradle to the Grave” and the classic “Cool for Cats.” This latter selection was sung by Chris Difford, who provides a nice deep voice for the tune. Difford, who stood stage-right during the concert, provided more-than-able accompaniment on the guitar throughout the evening.

Except for a few Difford-led songs, the main singer for the night was, of course, Glenn Tilbrook, who stood centerstage and commanded the microphone with a voice that has not wavered since Squeeze started putting out albums more than 40 years ago. He can speed things up, as he did with the frenetic “Hourglass,” and he can slow things down, as he did with the a-cappella opening to the group’s most successful song, “Tempted.”

Once “Tempted” was played, it was almost as if a spring had been let loose. The band sped through the end of the concert with precision and power, and the audience, realizing this was the epic fireworks finale, clapped and sang aloud to the tuneful sounds. From “Another Nail in My Heart” to “Goodbye Girl,” these final songs were served up like tasty desserts, small gifts to the dedicated Squeeze fans in the crowd.

A two-song encore consisting of “If I Didn’t Love You” and the epic “Black Coffee in Bed” finished the evening. The band introductions, which came late in the game, were heartfelt and the only time the group talked to the crowd.

For those who don’t know, Difford is the lyricist for the band, while Tilbrook holds down the compositional duties. They are an incomparable duo who have contributed to music history and continue to bask in the glow of their impressive songbook.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Click here for more information on Squeeze’s upcoming concerts.