Search - Hollies :: Live Hits

Get it or regret it

Music fan in the Midwest | USA | 08/25/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The following quote from the Hollies' Allan Clarke is taken from the 1990 CD titled Epic Anthology. Assuming he spoke these words before this Live Hits album came out on vinyl in 1976 or 1977, he was positively prophetic. He says of the Hollies' 1970 single release, "I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top": "We do that a lot better today. It would be nice to do a live album with that on it as we do it now." He spoke the truth. This live performance of "I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top" is a stunner. It has an emotional charge that's missing from the original studio version of years ago. Most of the rest of this CD is nearly as good. "Bus Stop" is a killer. "Carrie-Anne" is all the more charming because of Tony Hicks' audible "crack-up" courtesy of his bandmates. I knocked off one star for the inclusion of a couple of lesser songs in lieu of "Pay You Back With Interest" and "On A Carousel" and the fact that a couple of Pete Wingfield's synth/keyboard riffs are a bit overblown (but he does do some really nice work). Bernie Calvert's meaty bass lines are superb, Bobby Elliott's spirited drumming is as good as rock 'n' roll gets, the guitar work of Terry Sylvester and Hicks (listen for their fills) is classic, and Clarke's lead vocals -- whether alone or blended with Sylvester's and Hicks' glorious harmonies -- showcase a real pro at the mike. As a rule, I'm generally not fond of live albums. But this one, originally released at a time when disco, punk and corporate rock ruled the airwaves and virtually every "New Releases" wall across the United States, still serves as a reminder that the Hollies remain one of the all-time great pop/rock bands."

HOW DO THEY MAKE THREE SOUND LIKE FIVE??

Joseph A. Kengor | Youngstown, OH USA | 02/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Hollies' vocals have always left me spellbound, since I first heard them sing BUS STOP on the radio in the mid-sixties. The blend of voices and tight three-part harmonies sometimes sounds as if there are five people singing. Studio wizardry could be the only answer - double tracked, triple tracked vocal parts, right? This live recording slams the door on any and all doubting thomases. Allan, Tony, and Terry prove they can duplicate their fantastic harmonies in a live setting. The popular hits are re-created with energy, plus a few tracts that may not be as well known such as MY ISLAND, TOO YOUNG TOO BE MARRIED, STAR, and ANOTHER NIGHT, mesh well. All songs are showcases for the vocals. The playing is professional, highlighted by the bass guitar and drums. The keyboard player, hired just for the tour, adds some ridiculous, annoying effects at times, but remember, this was recorded in 1976, when keyboard technology was exploding with all these new sounds. Tony Hicks turns in some tasty guitar solos on STOP STOP STOP and TOO YOUNG TO BE MARRIED and more. I recommend this disc to all Hollies fans, and also to anyone who enjoys great harmony singing, of which this is one fine example."

Just Perfect

William F C Powys | 02/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sadly the star rating only goes up to five, shame, because this disk is a 10 ! The Hollies show us why they were the strongest live act in the world at this time, Allan Clarke (definately a rival to Freddie Mercury & Elvis for the title of the greatest singer ever) shows us how to really give an audience a show. Terry Sylvester is superb as a superior replacement to Graham Nash, even Nash himself has admitted this! Theres a delightfull "old boy" in the audience too, very witty! The songs are all there, who could ask for more. The Hollies still tour, but its a shadow of the original band only Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott remain (Clarke retiring in February to be with his sick wife) Carl Wayne (ex Move) is the Hollies main man now, he's good, but he's not Clarke. By the way, to fully appreciate the talents of Terry Sylvester, check out "Archive Alive" and hear the Hollies with Graham Nash in 1983. Exactly! Also check out the "Griffen & Sylvester" CD, pop at its best!"