"The Clarke, Hicks & Nash Years: The Complete Hollies April 1963 to October 1968" by THE HOLLIES - A Review Of The 2011 EMI 6CD Collection Of Remasters...

“…Ego Is Dead…”

Released May 2011 in the UK and USA - "The Clarke, Hicks And Nash Years: The Complete Hollies April 1963 to October 1968" by THE HOLLIES is a jam-packed 6CD Set (in a double-sized jewel case) on EMI 5099909624221.

Across 158 tracks are the A&B-sides of 19 British 7" singles, 3 songs exclusive to two British EPs (as well as the other 18 tracks from all 7 British EPs), 6 Foreign Language versions (5 of which are Previously Unreleased), 3 English language sides on Italian and German singles, 20 compilation exclusives, 7 full British albums and an 8-track Previously Unreleased Live Concert from 1968 in Stereo.

The CDS are sequenced in recording-date order - with the album tracks often spread across different discs. So in order to give an easier-to-read picture - I've posted a HOLLIES UK Singles, EPs and LPs British Discography in the 'comment' section attached to this review. It references track-by-track where those 45's and LPs are on this massive 6CD set and the following individual disc breakdowns give you the straggler songs  'outside' of that Discography...

Disc 1, 28 tracks, 64:34 minutes:

Tracks 6 and 10 are "Zip A Dee Do Dah" and "Poison Ivy" - released 1985 in the UK on "The Hollies" LP on EMI Music For Pleasure 41 5727 1

Track 7 is "I Understand" - released 1993 in the USA on the 3CD Box Set "30th Anniversary Collection 1963-1993"

Tracks 25 and 26 are "When I'm Not There" and "What Kind Of Love" - released 1964 on "The Hollies" UK 4-track EP on Parlophone GEP 8909

Disc 2, 26 tracks, 64:29 minutes:

Track 12 is "We're Through (Alternative Arrangement)" - released 1997 on "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1963-1966" (previously unreleased at the time)

Track 17 is "She Said Yeah" - released 2003 on the 6CD Box Set "The Long Road Home"

Track 18 is "Yes I Will (Alternate Version)" - released 1964 in the UK on "Hollies' Greatest Hits" LP on Parlophone PCS 7057

Track 26 is "Honey And Wine" - released 1965 in the UK on the "I'm Alive" 4-track EP on Parlophone GEP 8942

Disc 3, 28 tracks, 64:24 minutes:

Tracks 1 to 3 are "Listen Here To Me", "So Lonely" and "Bring Back Your Love To Me" - released 2003 on the 6CD Box Set "The Long Road Home"

Tracks 15, 16 and 18 are "She Gives Me Everything I Want", "I Can't Get Nowhere With You" and "You In My Arms" - released 1993 in the USA on the 3CD Box Set "30th Anniversary Collection 1963-1993"

Track 27 is "Look Through Any Window (French Lyric Version)" - first released on the 1988 CD "Rarities"

Tracks 25, 27 and 28 are "Stewball (French Lyric Version)", "You Know He Did (French Lyric Version)" and "We're Through (French Lyric Version)" -all three are Previously Unreleased

Disc 4, 27 tracks, 69:57 minutes:

Track 3 is "A Taste Of Honey" - released 1966 in the USA on the Hollies LP "Beat Group!" on Imperial LP 12312

Tracks 26 and 27 are "Non Prego Per Me" and "Devi Avere Fiducia In Me" - the A&B sides of an Italian 7" single - Previously Unreleased Stereo versions

Disc 5, 24 tracks, 64:11 minutes:

Tracks 3 and 4 are "We're Alive" and "Kill Me Quick" - Italian A&B-sides of a 1967 single; B-side is Stereo version with Backing Vocals

Track 7 is "Schoolgirl" - released 1997 on "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1966-1970" (previously unreleased at the time)

Disc 6, 25 tracks, 73:15 minutes:

Track 8 is "Wings" - released 1969 on the UK on the Various Artists album "No One's Gonna Change Our World" (on Behalf of the World Wildlife Fund) on Regal Starline SRS 5013

Tracks 10 and 11 are "Tomorrow When It Comes" and "Relax" - first released on the 1988 CD "Rarities"

Track 14 is "Man With No Expression (Horses Through A Rainstorm)" - released 1997 on "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1966-1970" (previously unreleased at the time)

Track 15 is "Blowin' In The Wind" - A B-side In Germany and Sweden to ???

Track 16 is "A Taste Of Honey (1968 Version)" - released 2003 on the 6CD Box Set "The Long Road Home"

Tracks 18 to 25 are "Stop! Stop! Stop!", "Look Through Any Window", "The Times They Are A-Changin'", "On A Carousel", "King Midas In Reverse", "Butterfly", "Jennifer Eccles", and "Carrie Anne" - all recorded LIVE AT LEWISHAM ODEON, 24 May 1968 and are Previously Unreleased

Fans will know that the digital remasters are mostly from 1999 and 2003 and were by done by expert tape man PETER MEW at Abbey Road - the sound quality is uniformly great (as I find it is on anything he remasters). The 24-page booklet features an introduction by MICK HOUGHTON, A Q&A with GRAHAM NASH, a UK Discography for the period with the seven EP and LP sleeves pictured in colour and then a song-by-song breakdown (itself broken up with collages of publicity/in-the-studio photos. It's well done (the cover photo taken at Niagara Falls in December 1967 sees the boys in period Gladrags) and for such a huge haul of music is priced cheaply too.

I love the album foursome "Would You Believe?", "For Certain Because", "Evolution" and "Butterfly" that really saw Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks and Graham Nash take off as writers - superb album nuggets like the pre CSN vibe of "Stop Right There", the Beatlesque "You Need Love", the Ogdens Small Faces whimsy of "Dear Eloise" and the Northern Britain social commentary of "Charlie And Fred". And the brilliant "Elevated Observations?" from October 1967's "Evolution" album gave that "Sgt. Peppers" mob a run for their Liverpudlian money (lyrics above). The live show is also far better than I thought it would be - clearly showing how accomplished they were as a band - nailing down difficult stuff like "King Midas In Reverse" with ease.

Further glory would follow for The Hollies on both the Parlophone and Polydor labels with Alan Clarke taking the song-writing ascendancy - while Graham Nash went on to conquer the West Coast of America and then the entire world with David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Neil Young.

"All that summer we enjoyed it..." - they sang on "Bus Stop". Great sound, top songs and quality presentation - there's so much to enjoy here...

UK HOLLIES DISCOGRAPHY referencing "The Clarke, Hicks & Nash Years"

Note: [8/1] = Track 8 on Disc 1, [3/4] = Track 3 on Disc 4 etc:

UK 7” SINGLES and EPs:

1. (Ain't That) Just Like Me [2/1] b/w Hey What's Wrong With Me [3/1]

May 1963, Parlophone R 5030

2. Searchin' [8/1] b/w Whole World Over [1/1]

August 1963, Parlophone R 5052

3. Stay [9/1] b/w Now's The Time [4/1]

November 1963, Parlophone R 5077

4. Just One Look [23/1] b/w Keep Off That Friend Of Mine [22/1]

February 1964, Parlophone R 5104

5. Here I Go Again [27/1] b/w Baby That's All [28/1]

May 1964, Parlophone R 5137

6. We're Through [13/2] b/w Come On Back [8/2]

September 1964, Parlophone R 5178

7. Yes I Will [22/2] b/w Nobody [20/2]

January 1965, Parlophone R 5232

8. I'm Alive [4/3] b/w You Know He Did [21/2]

May 1965, Parlophone R 5287

9. Look Through Any Window [5/3] b/w So Lonely [12/3]

August 1965, Parlophone R 5322

10. If I Needed Someone [20/3] b/w I've Got A Way Of My Own [17/3]

December 1965, Parlophone R 5392

11. I Can't Let Go [23/3] b/w Running Through The Night [21/3]

February 1966, Parlophone R 5409

12. Bus Stop [11/4] b/w Don't Run And Hide [10/4]

June 1966, Parlophone R 5469

13. After The Fox [9/4] b/w The Fox Trot

September 1966, United Artists UP 1152

(A-side Peter Sellers with The Hollies, B-side is by Burt Bacharach only)

14. Stop! Stop! Stop! [14/4] b/w It's You [18/4]

October 1966, Parlophone R 5508

15. On A Carousel [2/5] b/w All The World Is Love [23/4]

February 1967, Parlophone R 5562

16. Carrie Anne [15/5] b/w Signs That Will Never Change [16/5]

May 1967, Parlophone R 5602

17. King Midas In Reverse [17/5] b/w Everything Is Sunshine [19/5]

September 1967, Parlophone R 5637

18. Jennifer Eccles [9/6] b/w Open Up Your Eyes [7/6]

March 1968, Parlophone R 5680

19. Listen To Me [17/6] b/w Do The Best You Can [12/6]

September 1968, Parlophone R 5733

UK 4-TRACK EPs (Extended Plays):

1. "The Hollies", June 1964 on Parlophone GEP 8909

Side 1:

1. Rockin' Robin' [21/1]

2. What Kind Of Love [26/1]

Side 2:

1. Whatcha Gonna Do ‘Bout It [19/1]

2. When I'm Not There [26/1]

2."Just One Look", July 1964 on Parlophone GEP 8911

Side 1:

1. Just One Look [23/1]

2. Keep Off That Friend Of Mine [22/1]

Side 2:

1. Lucille [14/1]

2. Talking About You [12/1]

3. "Here I Go Again", October 1964 on Parlophone GEP 8915

Side 1:

1. You Better Move On [18/1]

2. Memphis [11/1]

Side 2:

1. Here I Go Again [27/1]

2. Baby That's All [28/1]

4. "We're Through", December 1964 on Parlophone GEP 8927

Side 1:

1. We're Through [13/2]

2. Come On Back [8/2]

Side 2:

1. What Kind Of Boy [11/2]

2. You'll Be Mine [3/2]

5. "In The Hollies Style", April 1965 on Parlophone GEP 8934

Side 1:

1. Too Much Monkey Business [6/2]

2. To You My Love [14/2]

Side 2:

1. Come On Home [5/2]

2. What Kind Of Boy [11/2]

6. "I'm Alive", September 1965 on Parlophone GEP 8942

Side 1:

1. I'm Alive [4/3]

2. You Know He Did [21/2]

Side 2:

1. Honey And Wine [26/2]

2. Mickey's Monkey [23/2]

7. "I Can't Let Go", June 1965 on Parlophone GEP 8951

Side 1:

1. I Can't Let Go [23/3]

2. Look Through Any Window [5/3]

Side 2.

1. I've Got A Way Of My Own [17/3]

2. So Lonely [2/3]

ALBUMS:

1. "Stay With The Hollies", January 1964 on Parlophone PMC 1220 (Mono)

Side 1:

1. I'm Talking About You [12/1]

2. Mr. Moonlight [17/1]

3. You Better Move On [18/1]

4. Lucille [14/1]

5. Baby Don't Cry [15/1]

6. Memphis [11/1]

7. Stay [9/1]

Side 2:

1. Rockin' Robin [21/1]

2. Watcha Gonna Do ‘Bout It [19/1]

3. Do You Love Me [16/1]

4. It's Only Make Believe [13/1]

5. What Kind Of Girl Are You [20/1]

6. Little Lover [5/1]

7. Candy Man [24/1]

2. "In The Hollies Style", November 1964 on Parlophone PMC 1235 (Mono)

Side 1:

1.         Nitty Gritty/Something's Gotta Hold On Me [15/2]

2.         Don't You Know [2/2]

3.         To You My Love [14/2]

4.         It's In Her Kiss [4/2]

5.         Time For Love [1/2]

6.         What Kind Of Boy [11/2]

Side 2:

1.         Too Much Money Business [6/2]

2.         I Thought Of You Last Night [7/2]

3.         Please Don't Feel Too Bad [10/2]

4.         Come On Home [5/2]

5.         You'll Be Mine [3/2]

6.         Set Me Free [9/2]

3.         "Hollies", September 1965 on Parlophone PMC 1261 (Mono-only)

Side 1:

1.         Very Last Day [25/2]

2.         You Must Believe Me [7/3]

3.         Put Yourself In My Place [16/2]

4.         Down The Line [9/3]

5.         That's My Desire [24/2]

6.         Too Many People [11/3]

Side 2:

1.         Lawdy Miss Clawdy [6/3]

2.         When I Come Home To You [19/2]

3.         Fortune Teller [10/3]

4.         So Lonely [2/3]

5.         I've Been Wrong [13/3]

6.         Mickey's Monkey [23/2]

4.         "Would You Believe?", June 1966 on Parlophone PMC 7008 (Mono)

Side 1:

1.         I Take What I Want [1/4]

2.         Hard Hard Year [2/4]

3.         That's How Strong My Love Is [4/4]

4.         Sweet Little Sixteen [7/4]

5.         Oriental Sadness [24/3]

6.         I Am A Rock [8/4]

Side 2:

1.         Take Your Time [5/4]

2.         Don't You Even Care (What's Gonna Happen To Me?) [22/3]

3.         Fifi The Flea [6/4]

4.         Stewball [14/3]

5.         I've Got A Way Of My Own [17/3]

6.         I Can't Let Go [23/3]

5.         "For Certain Because...", October 1966 on Parlophone PCS 7011 (Stereo)

Side 1:

1.         What's Wrong With The Way I Live [20/4]

2.         Pay You Back With Interest [16/4]

3.         Tell Me To My Face [15/4]

4.         Clown [17/4]

5.         Suspicious Look In Your Eyes [13/4]

6.         It's You [18/4]

Side 2:

1.         High Classed [22/4]

2.         Peculiar Situation [12/4]

3.         What Went Wrong [21/4]

4.         Crusader [19/4]

5.         Don't Even Thing About Changing [19/3]

6.         Stop Stop Stop [14/4]

6. "Evolution", June 1967 on Parlophone PCS 7022 (Stereo)

Side 1:

1.         Then The Heartaches Begin [9/5]

2.         Stop Right There [12/5]

3.         Water On The Brain [13/5]

4.         Lullaby To Tim [1/5]

5.         Have You Ever Loved Somebody [25/4]

6.         You Need Love [11/5]

Side 2:

1.         Rain On The Window [8/5]

2.         Heading For A Fall [14/5]

3.         Ye Olde Toffee Shoppe [10/5]

4.         When Your Light's Turned On [24/4]

5.         Leave Me [5/5]

6.         The Games We Play [6/5]

7. "Butterfly", October 1967 on Parlophone PCS 7039

Side 1:

1.         Dear Eloise [24/5]

2.         Away, Away, Away [3/6]

3.         The Maker [6/6]

4.         Pegasus [23/5]

5.         Would You Believe [2/6]

6.         Wish You A Wish [20/5]

Side 2:

1.         Postcard [21/5]

2.         Charlie And Fred [4/6]

3.         Try It [18/5]

4.         Elevated Observations? [1/6]

5.         Step Inside [22/5]

6.         Butterfly [5/6]

"I Looked Up" by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND (2014 Beat Goes On CD Remaster Of Their 5th Studio LP from 1970) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…This Moment…"

When the INCREDIBLE STRING BAND put out the vinyl double-album ‘U’ in October 1970 complete with a pantomime show to accompany its half-genius and wholly indulgent sprawl – many fans thought they’d lost it while critics had a total field day. And perhaps the single album “I Looked Up” that preceded ‘U’ only months earlier (which also tested people’s patience) lit the fuse for that backlash. Whatever you look at it - four and half decades later - and along comes Beat Goes On of the UK with a spiffing new CD remaster and quality presentation. They’re hoping of course you’ll reassess the whole hairyman affair in 2014…and if you’re a fan, you should. Here are real ale details…

UK released September 2014 - "I Looked Up" by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1166 (Barcode 5017261211668) comes in an outer card slipcase and breaks down as follows (41:27 minutes):

1. Black Jack Davy (Mike Heron)

2. The Letter (Mike Heron)

3. Pictures In A Mirror (Robin Williamson)

4. This Moment (Mike Heron)

5. When You Find Out Who You Are (Robin Williamson)

6. Fair As You (Mike Heron song)

Tracks 1 to 6 are the stereo vinyl album "I Looked Up" – released April 1970 in the UK on Elektra 2469 002 and Elektra EKS 74061 in the USA

Consisting of multi-instrumentalists ROBIN WILLIAMSON and MIKE HERON (Guitar, Mandolin, Sitar, Flute, Piano, Bass, Various English and European String Instruments and Vocals) - the band also had ROSE SIMPSON on Bass and LICORICE McKECHNIE on Duet Vocals and Guitar. The 16-page booklet features two photos of the ISB and detailed liner notes by noted writer JOHN TOBLER that go into a long history of the groups stay at Elektra. But the big news is a lovely new remaster by ANDREW THOMPSON that brings out the music in a really great way. Many of these tracks are essentially acoustic guitars, mandolins and high vocals - the remaster has hiss on some tracks - but the clarity is fab.

Musically if I were to single out two extremes (bad and good) – it would be the near unlistenable nonsense of “Pictures In A Mirror” which goes on for eleven minutes and is painful to listen to. A contrast is the lovely six minutes of “This Moment” – even if it has the “oh no” vocal refrain towards the end. And the remaster is amazing on “When You Find Out Who You Are” as it goes into those delicate vocal duets between Robin and Licorice. But perhaps best of all is the old world madrigal folk of “Fair As You” with its Flute, Gimbri and layered vocals. It has hiss on it for sure but it’s not been dampened down in the transfer at the expense of the prominent acoustic guitar and flute (deftly done). 

The Incredible String Band would go on to the altogether better "Liquid Acrobat As Regards The Air" album when they signed to Island in 1971. To sum up – it’s a bit Bovril – you either love it or loathe it. But if you’re a fan – you need this superb remaster in your collection...

"Abracadabra: The Asylum Years" by JUDEE SILL (2006 Rhino 2CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Like A Wind Song…" 

With her so uncool Granny glasses, plain Jane straight hair and hard-to-pigeonhole melodies - JUDEE SILL's duo of Asylum Label LPs have gathered a cult-status that refuses to go away. Yet as someone who worked in a busy secondhand record shop in London's West End for near twenty years - I can remember in the late Eighties and Nineties when you couldn't give "Judee Sill" or "Heart Food" away. Much like Emitt Rhodes on Probe or Eric Andersen on Capitol (see reviews for both) - they'd sit in the racks in their fetching gatefold sleeves unloved and unwanted. And clearly from this gorgeous 2CD retrospective - that was something of a collective mistake. It's not all genius by any means - but when she hits that mark - her music is truly beautiful. So here are the cross makers and the soldiers of the heart...

UK released June 2006 - "Abracadabra: The Asylum Years" by JUDEE SILL on Rhino/Asylum 8122 79534 2 (Barcode 081227953423) is a 2CD Set of Remasters and breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (77:26 minutes):

1. Crayon Angels

2. The Phantom Cowboy

3. The Archetypal Man

4. The Lamb Ran Away With The Crown

5. Lady-O

6. Jesus Was A Cross Maker

7. Ridge Rider

8. My Man On Love

9. Lopin' Along Thru The Cosmos

10. Enchanted Sky Machines

11. Abracadabra

Tracks 1 to 11 are her debut album "Judee Sill" - released September 1971 in the USA on Asylum SD-5050 and May 1972 in the UK on Asylum SYLA 8751

12. The Pearl (Original Version)

13. The Phoenix (Original Version)

Tracks 12 and 13 were removed from the album to make room for the late inclusion of "Jesus Was A Cross Maker" and subsequently re-recorded for "Heart Food"

14. Ridge Rider (Alternate Version)

15. My Man On Love (Alternate Version)

14 and 15 are Previously Unreleased outtakes from the "Judee Sill" sessions

16. Intro/The Vigilante

17. Lady-O

18. Enchanted Sky Machines

19. The Archetypical Man

20. Crayon Angels

21. The Lamb Ran Away With The Crown

22. Jesus Was A Cross Maker

Tracks 16 to 22 were recorded 'Live In Boston Music Hall', 3 October 1971

Tracks 12 to 22 were first issued on the Rhino Handmade CD Edition of "Judee Sill" on RHM2 7836 in 2003

Disc 2 (77:56 minutes):

1. There's A Rugged Road

2. The Kiss

3. The Pearl

4. Down Where The Valleys Are Low

5. The Vigilante

6. Soldier Of The Heart

7. The Phoenix

8. When The Bridegroom Comes

9. The Donor

10. (No Title)

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Heart Food" - released March 1973 in the USA on Asylum SD 5063 and April 1973 in the UK on Asylum SYL 9006

11. The Desperado (outtake from the "Heart Food" sessions)

12. The Kiss

13. Down Where The Valleys Are Low

14. The Donor

15. Soldier Of The Heart

16. The Phoenix

17. The Vigilante

18. The Pearl

19. There's A Rugged Road

Tracks 12 to 19 are Solo Demos for the "Heart Food" album

20. The Donor (Alternate Mix) - Previously Unreleased

Tracks 10 to18 first issued on the Rhino Handmade CD Edition of "Heart Food" on RHM2 7802 in 2003

With its card slipcase, a 20-page sepia-tinted booklet and CD labels that reflect the original Asylum 'door in the sky' logo - this feels like a classy release - and it is. First up is the truly beautiful remastering by long-standing Rhino stalwarts DAN HERSCH and DAVE SCHULTZ. Co-ordinator ANDY ZAC explains in the liner notes that the first generation Stereo master tapes had inherent glitches and distorted her voice. Hidden by vinyl to some degree -the CD is less forgiving - but given that - the job they've done is fabulous - as faithful and as clear as the music is ever going to be. On quieter songs like the piano-driven "When The Bridegroom Comes" - their deftness of touch really lifts the song.

Her two minor hits are here - covers of The Turtles "Lady-O" and The Hollies "Jesus Was A Cross Maker" - but her own "There's A Rugged Road" impresses more (Shawn Colvin does a gorgeous version of it on her "Cover Girl" CD from 1994). "My Man On Love" has her signature magic - as lovely a melody as you've ever heard. It was put on the flipside of "Sky Enchanted Machines" when it got released in September 1972 in the UK as a 7" single (Asylum AYM 509). "The Archetypal Man" is witty and perceptive too and I love the 'Alternate Version' of "Ridge Rider" which is simplified and better for it.

But if I were to single out three masterpieces - two would be on the hugely accomplished "Heart Food" album. First is probably everybody's favourite -  the moving and beautiful ache of "The Kiss" - wow! If you get the chance -check out The Old Grey Whistle Test footage of her doing this live with just a piano in 1973 (lyrics from it title this review). Second is the epic 9-minute hymn-like finisher "The Donor" which MICHELE KORT rightly gives paragraphs to in her wonderfully detailed and heartfelt liner notes. It goes off into staggering vocal tangents and pirouettes that predate Kate Bush - and with the combined male and female voices repeating a Kyrie Eleison refrain throughout (Lord Have Mercy) - its musical ambition is like a female Todd Rundgren on a roll. The complicated tympani and vibes arrangements alone must have taken months to get down. It's astonishing stuff.

But best of all is the set's prize - a previously unreleased outtake that I feel matches even "The Kiss". It's called "The Desperado" and should have finished the album instead of the non-titled Track 10 that is merely an Irish air instrumental that might have seemed like fun at the time - but now seems superfluous and badly misjudged. "The Desperado" would have brought the album full-circle - even into Joni Mitchell territory. It's beautifully produced - a lovely acoustic melody - what a find.

Judee Sill won't be for everyone for sure and some may wonder what all the fuss is about - but I've been moved to tears many times by the beauty and talent available on this gorgeous 2CD release.

Aged only 35 - she died at home 23 November 1979 from a drug overdose - with her loss barely reported anywhere. Rest with the angels you beautiful lady...