A long lost live Hollies recording from 1968 has just been unearthed and released and I am here to tell you, this 25 minute performance is one of the most stunning sets of music I have ever heard. Check out the set list from the Lewisham Odeon:
Stop Stop Stop
Look Through Any Window
The Times They Are A'Changin'
On A Carousel
King Midas In Reverse
Butterfly (BUTTERFLY, for Pete's sake!!))
Jennifer Eccles
Carrie Annie
I'm a bit of a Hollies fanatic, especially the trilogy that consists of "For Certain Because," "Evolution," and "Butterfly" released between 1966-1967. I even wrote a piece for The Huffington Post about how I thought "Butterfly" was a better record than "Sgt. Pepper." You can read that HERE, and then send your hate mail to Salisaputz@....
This live recording should make even a casual Hollies fan's hairs stand on end. Vocally, the band never sounded better, with Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, and Graham Nash recreating the close harmonies to the point of non-belief. When has bassist Bernie Calvert ever been mentioned in the pantheon of rock musicians? Uh... never. Neither has drummer Bobby Elliott, for that matter. Big mistake! Here, that rhythm section comes to life, like you've never heard it before.
Why am I gushing? Because it's that good. As a matter of fact, I needed a cold compress right after the steel drum break in "Carrie Anne," which had been rearranged for strings at this performance.
What if I told you that this fabulous set of music could be yours for a mere bag of shells? (Ok, about $20.) Sounds fair, no? What if I told you, those 8 tracks close out the 6th disc of a 158 song box set collecting every song the classic line-up of The Hollies recorded between 1963-1968, all for the same $20?
This set is like the Ginsu Knives for 2011!
It's here.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarke-Hicks-Nash-Hollies/dp/B004QJL4D8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305546442&sr=1-1
Forgive me, but this is a no-brainer.
26 comments:
Sal -- as you said, great minds. And thanks again.
But it's funny you should mention; I was going to make a Bernie Calvert comment over at powerpop, so let me say it here -- he's at best a mediocre bass player, and they all knew it, including producer Ron Richards. Eric Haydock, who played on all the records up to "Bus Stop," was one of the great English bass players, kind of an Entwistle type, and when he departed, the Hollies records -- fine as they are -- lost a humongous amount of instrumental excitement.
Just saying.
The Hollies represent everything good about '60's rock/pop....am I gonna grab this live set, hell yeah...as far as Butterfly trumping Pepper, you'll wanna go HERE: http://www.you'renotseriousareyou.com.....xoxo
@Steve,
I won't argue with a bass player or a fellow fanatic, but man does Bernie sounds great on this live set!
@Albert,
I know it sounds like I'm just starting trouble, or that I'm breaking some 60's code, but I don't love "With A Little Help From My Friends," "When I'm 64," "Within You, Without You" or "Lovely Rita." I like them, but there are songs on Butterfly that are just better.
HOLY FUCKING SHIT! (Bought it.)
Thanks for the tip, I just ordered it!
20 bucks is 35.58 with the "new math"
http://www.amazon.com/Clarke-Hicks-Nash-Years-Hollies/dp/B004QJL4D8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1305561830&sr=8-2
35.58 American.
Will look for this. Thanks Sal.
Michael D.
Bobby Elliott, of course, was one of the most exciting and propulsive drummers of the British Invasion.
Actually, 12 pounds is 19.47 US dollars.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B004QJL4D8/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1305546442&sr=1-1&condition=new
When I ordered it, it magically turned into 9.99 pounds at checkout. With shipping and the conversion transaction fee on my Visa, my grand total was somewheres around $22.
That $35 figure is the price on amazon.com. the price I got on amazon.co.uk, with shipping (cheapo option), came to 13.07 pounds, which this morning converts to $21.22.
Thanks for the tip, Sal. Saw a review of this set somewhere but figured its cost would exceed my love for this band--while I don't know "Butterfly," I am a fan of "Evolution," but I don't think it's better than "Revolver"--but as you say, $20 is a no-brainer. That's an interesting intellectual exercise: what's your personal would buy/wouldn't buy tipping point for a complete set of any given band? The Searchers: $12. The Association: $30.
Anyway, "Butterfly" better be great...
Bruce H.
@ Bruce...
UH-OH!
Yep, $21 and change INCLUDING shipping & handling for a 6-disc set shipped from the UK.
Mr. Simels has posted "Carrie Anne" over at PowerPop, but I think I'm gonna wait for my Amazon delivery.
Another great find, Sal!
Those guys at Amazon UK will wonder what hit them!
I have a (either very smart or very stupid) policy that when you write an enthusiastic "Buy This Record" post I do. I've had great luck so far and am looking forward to this Hollies' box.
Thanks Sal.
21.96 USD. Thanks for the heads up!! I've been waiting for a good Hollies anthology, and this should do it. While the early stuff can be spotty, they do great versions of Mickey's Monkey and Watcha Gonna Do 'Bout It. I've heard good things about Haydock, now I'll have a chance to really listen.
Ordered mine today! I'll have to justify the purchase to the wife when it arrives, I'm sure. Better to ask forgiveness than permission.
I have to admit that I always had a Hollies problem because they were a Manc band and you have to live in this part of the world to understand that.
I grew to love them avec Nash, but after he'd gone it all went a bit cabaret.
Allan Clarke for me was always a mediocre vocalist at best.
The box set was wonderful, the sixties stuff contains many treasures, but I'd never have them as A List.
I've always felt that they are far more appreciated in the States than over here.
Thanks for the tip, Sal. Now I have to wait for it to sail slowly across the ocean.
To everyone who made the purchase, I think you will all be pleasantly surprised over how quickly it will arrive.
I just ordered it too (although Mojo was somewhat critical of the set), but what struck me about the UK store was one of its recommended CDs, "Bruce Springsteen Live at the Main Point, 1975." I've had that bootleg for years. Was it ever released commercially?
@Jeff
The new issue of Uncut reviews the Bruce set as a "much-booted concert living up to its legendary status in first "official" release."
"Official?" Not really. There is a UK loophole that allows US radio broadcasts to be released in the UK, so it's probably no better than the boots we've had for years.
How can a 6-CD set be $21.... wow.... OK, I'm ordering it too!
Oh Joy, Oh Joy. Always did like The Hollies but contented myself with a greatest hits package and - actually this is a tip I guess, Allan Clarke's solo effort containing If I were the Priest - but this 6 CD set is pop heaven. Think I may have listened to all 158 songs over the weekend on random shuffle. Great stuff, thanx for the tip.
Dave, Berlin.
ps amazon.de €21
Someone asked about this in the comments section of your Elvis Costello post earlier today and I wasn't sure where to post this.
The Hollies box set magically appeared in my door when I got home from work yesterday. To say that I was blown away with what I heard so far would be an immense understatement.
I had to go right to Disc 6 to listen to the live tracks, then had a hard time moving on to the other discs since I kept playing these 8 tracks over and over again.
BTW...I'm playing the live Carrie Anne as I type this and I can't wipe the huge smile off my face. Thanks again for the tip!
Reposted from Elvis post...
Not to change the topic, but I just got my copy of the Hollies set last night. Havent' got to the Butterfly cuts or the live set, but already worth my 20 bucks. Their cover of "I Am a Rock," which I had never heard, hit my mid-60s sweet spot in a big way.
Thanks for the rec. Curious what others who ordered the set think.
Bruce H.
I have been trying to listen between the "Waaaaaaaaa"'s of my teething 8 mth old. Babies are so stinkin needy! I am enjoying what I have heard so far.
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