THE Whites made way for the blues at Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium on Sunday night.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues orchestra provided a storming finish to the first Big Light On weekend.

About 2,500 fans swayed, sang and clapped as if this was some sort of religious revival meeting and 46-year-old Jools was the preacher man.

But when you think about it, this comparison is not too far off the mark - the boogie-woogie king evoked various long-gone eras with his crowd-pleasing dip into New Orleans tradition and big band conventions.

Even the bat fluttering overhead must have realised that this was more entertaining than a scoreless draw against Southampton.

Certainly, there was nobody on the other side of the aisle suggesting it had all gone quiet over there.

The 18-piece band produced a great sound - even if it did drown a lot of the lyrics - and there was much democratic sharing of impressive solos.

Jools delivered the terrific piano boogie he displays at a hundred or so live shows each year but, if I am honest, I prefer blues singers to sound considerably more grizzled and knocked about by life than he does.

"I am determined to boogie - will you share that determination with me?"

Well, yes Jools, but I suspect they do not talk like that down by the Mississippi.

At the end of the set, members of the audience were told musically to enjoy themselves and they did so with gusto in a happy and relaxed atmosphere.

It was a great show in a new concert venue which, apart from the chill in the air, worked very well. There was a big screen and the unusual sight of people sipping pints in the stands.

My only grumble was that we did not see more of the wonderful guest vocalist Ruby Turner - what a voice!

ALAN CALVERT