Amazon Music Bestsellers and Deals

Wednesday 10 May 2017

"Head Out Of Dreams: The Complete Hollies August 1973 to May 1985" by THE HOLLIES (March 2017 Parlophone 6CD - Peter Mew Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...








This Review Along With Hundreds of Others Is Available In My
SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites
CLASSIC 1970s ROCK and POP - Exceptional CD Remasters  
Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95
Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 
(No Cut and Paste Crap)


"...The Air That I Breathe..."


Motherlode Number Three. Volume One of this trilogy arrived in May 2011 - "The Clarke, Hicks & Nash Years: The Complete Hollies April 1963 to October 1968" – a 6CD Set on Parlophone 5099909624221 (Barcode 5099909624221). Volume Two followed in July 2015 - "Changin' Times: The Complete Hollies - January 1969 to March 1973" on Parlophone 0825646336111 (Barcode 0825646336111).

Now just in time for pints of Guinness, a green Hudson River and bad hair decisions - here comes the long awaited Volume Three on St. Patrick's Day, 17 March 2017 – complete with a whopping 120-tracks, nine album's worth of songs, 27 x UK 7" singles (many of which feature non-album sides) and further oddities from LP and CD compilations. The albums include "Hollies" (March 1974), "Another Night" (February 1975), "Write On" (January 1976), "Russian Roulette" (December 1976), "A Crazy Steal" (March 1978), "Five Three One - Double Seven O Four" (March 1979), "Buddy Holly" (October 1980) and "What Goes Round" (July 1983) and straggler tracks from compilations like "Rarities" (1988), "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1966-1970" and "1973-1989" (1998) and the 6CD 2003 retrospective "The Long Road Home 1963-2000" as well as some European and New Zealand exclusives.

Coupled with superb Peter Mew Remasters done from original tapes at Abbey Road across the last decade or so - that's the good news. The bad news - because the Discs are laid out as they were recorded in 'chronological order' - it makes actually sequencing those UK and US albums and singles as 'released' a bit of a logistical nightmare. Although the booklet lists the LPs and their release dates/catalogue numbers - it doesn't give track lists so fan or newcomer won't know what goes where. To this end I've done the work (see the the Notes beneath each CD listed below). And the other downer is for die-hard fans - there's nothing new - nothing they wouldn't have had on previous CD purchases. There's a lot to untangle so let's get to the dreamy details...

UK released Friday, 17 March 2017 (24 March 2017 in the USA) - "Head Out Of Dreams: The Complete Hollies August 1973 - May 1988" by THE HOLLIES on Parlophone 0190295892333 (Barcode 0190295892333) is a 6CD set of Remasters that plays outs as follows:

Disc 1 (73:31 minutes):
1. The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee
2. Mexico Gold
3. Out On The Road
4. Born A Man
5. Pick Up The Pieces Again
6. It's A Shame, It's A Game
7. Transatlantic Westbound Jet
8. Don't Let Me Down
9. Falling Calling
10. Tip Of The Iceberg
11. Burn Fire Burn
12. Rubber Lucy
13. The Air That I Breathe
14. Down On The Run
15. No More Riders
16. Love Makes The World Go Round
17. Give Me Time
18. Lonely Hobo Lullaby
19. Son Of A Rotten Gambler
20. Layin' To The Music
NOTES for Disc 1:
Tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 and 16 are the LP "Hollies" - released March 1974 in the UK on Polydor 2383 262 and Epic KE 32574 in the USA. Each country had different track running orders - to sequence either 11-track LP from this CD use the following configurations:
UK LP:
Side 1: Tracks 6, 12, 5, 7, 3 and 13
Side 2: Tracks 9, 14, 8, 16 and 1
US LP:
Side 1: Tracks 9, 6, 8, 3, and 13
Side 2: Tracks 12, 7, 5, 14, 16 and 1
Track 2 is from the November 1988 LP and CD compilation "Rarities" on EMI Records EMS 1311
Track 10 is from the 1998 CD compilation "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1966-1970" on EMI 7243 4 93450 2 7
Track 15 is the non-album B-side to the UK 7" single of "The Air That I Breathe" released January 1974 on Polydor 2058 435
Tracks 17 and 18 are from the LP "Another Night" (see NOTES for Disc 2)
Tracks 19 and 20 are the non-album A&B-sides of a May 1974 UK 7” single on Polydor 2058 476

Disc 2 (78:49 minutes):
1. 4th Of July Asbury Park (Sandy)
2. Come Down To The Shore
3. Hello Lady Goodbye
4. You Gave Me Life (With That Look In Your Eyes)
5. Lucy
6. Look Out Johnny (There's A Monkey On Your Back
7. Second Hand Hang-Ups
8. Another Night
9. Time Machine Jive
10. I'm Down
11. Stranger
12. Narida
13. My Island
14. Samuel
15. Sweet Country Calling
16. Crocodile Woman (She Bites)
17. Star
18. Love Is The Thing
19. I Won't Move Over
20. There's Always Goodbye
NOTES for Disc 2:
Tracks 17 and 18 on Disc 1 along with 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 on Disc 2 make up the album "Another Night" released February 1975 in the UK on Polydor 2442 128 and in the USA on Epic PE 33387. To sequence the UK and US LP from both discs use the following tracks:
Side 1: Tracks 8, 1, 18 on Disc 1, 7 and 9
Side 2: Tracks 10, 6, 17 on Disc 1, 4 and 5
Tracks 2 and 14 are from the 1998 UK CD compilation "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1973-1989" on EMI 7243 496464 2 0
Tracks 10 and 3 are the non-album A&B-sides of a UK 7” single released November 1974 on Polydor 2058 533
Tracks 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 on Disc 2 and Track 1 on Disc 3 are the album "Write On" released January 1976 in the UK on Polydor 2442 141 (no USA release). To sequence that UK LP use the following:
Side 1: Tracks 17, 1 from Disc 3, 15, 18 and 19
Side 2: Tracks 12, 11, 16, 13 and 20

Disc 3 (76:10 minutes):
1. Write On
2. Boulder To Birmingham
3. Here In My Dreams
4. Daddy Don't Mind
5. My Love
6. Russian Roulette
7. Corrine
8. C'Mon
9. Be With You
10. Lady Of The Night
11. Louise
12. 48-Hour Parole
13. Thanks For The Memories
14. Wiggle That Wotsit
15. Draggin' My Heels
16. Hello To Romance
17. Let It Pour
18. Burn Out
19. Amnesty
20. Crossfire
NOTES for Disc 3:
Track 1 is from the album "Write On" released January 1976 in the UK on Polydor 2442 141 (no USA release) - see also Disc 2.
Track 2 is the non-album A-side to a UK 7" single released February 1976 on Polydor 2058 694
Track 3 is from the November 1988 LP and CD compilation "Rarities" on EMI Records EMS 1311
Tracks 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are the album "Russian Roulette" UK released December 1976 on Polydor 2383 421. To sequence the album from this CD use the following tracks:
Side 1: Tracks 14, 12, 13, 5 and 10
Side 2: Tracks 6, 15, 11, 9 and 4
Track 7 is the non-album B-side of the UK 7” single "Wiggle That Wotsit" released October 1976 on Polydor 2058 799
Track 8 is the non-album B-side of the UK 7" single "Daddy Don't Mind" released September 1976 on Polydor 2058 779
Track 16 is the non-album A-side of a UK 7" single released May 1977 on Polydor 2058 880
Tracks 17, 18 and 19 are from the album "A Crazy Steal" UK released March 1978 on Polydor 2383 474 (see also Disc 4)
Track 20 first appeared on the 6CD Box Set "The Long Road Home 1963-2000" UK released 2003 on EMI 07243 584856-2-2

Disc 4 (78:43 minutes):
1. Caracas
2. What Am I Gonna Do
3. Feet On The Ground
4. Writing On The Wall
5. Clown Service
6. When I'm Yours
7. Lovin' You Ain't Easy
8. Satellite Three
9. Something To Live For
10. Sanctuary
11. Maybe It's Dawn
12. Song Of The Sun
13. Stormy Waters
14. Boys In The Band
15. It's In Every One Of Us
16. Say It Ain't So Jo
17. Harlequin
18. Can't Lie No More
NOTES for Disc 4:
Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are from the album "A Crazy Steal" UK released March 1978 on Polydor 2383 474 (see also Disc 3). To sequence the UK LP from Disc 3 and 4 use the following:
Side 1: Tracks 4 on Disc 4, 2 on Disc 4, 17 on Disc 3, 18 on Disc 3 and 16 on Disc 3
Side 2: Tracks 19 on Disc 3, 1 on Disc 4, 2 on Disc 3, 5 on Disc 4 and 3 on Disc 4
Tracks 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16 and 17 are from the album "Five Three One - Double Seven O Four" UK released March 1979 on Polydor 2442 160. To sequence the UK LP from Disc 4 use the following:
Side 1: Tracks 16, 11, 12, 17 and 6
Side 2: Tracks 9, 13, 14, 8 and 5
Track 7 from the 1998 UK CD compilation "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1973-1989" on EMI 7243 496464 2 0
Track 10 is from the November 1988 LP and CD compilation "Rarities" on EMI Records EMS 1311
Track 18 first appeared on the 6CD Box Set "The Long Road Home 1963-2000" UK released 2003 on EMI 07243 584856-2-2

Disc 5 (76:50 minutes):
1. Soldier's Song
2. If The Lights Go Out
3. Peggy Sue
4. Wishing
5. Love's Made A Fool Of You
6. Take Your Time
7. Heartbeat
8. Tell Me How
9. Think It Over
10. Maybe Baby
11. Midnight Shift
12. I'm Gonna Love You Too
13. Peggy Sue Got Married
14. What To Do
15. That'll Be The Day
16. It Doesn't Matter Anymore
17. Everyday
18. Carrie
19. Driver
20. Take My Love And Run (1st Version)
21. Musical Pictures
22. Let Her Go Down
NOTES for Disc 5:
Track 1 is the non-album A-side of a UK 7” single released April 1980 on Polydor 2058 246
Track 2 first appeared on the 1988 2LP/2CD compilation "All The Hits And More – The Definitive Collection" on EMI Records EM 1301
Tracks 3 to 17 are from the cover versions album "Buddy Holly" UK released October 1980 on Polydor POLTV 12
Tracks 18 in the non-album B-side to "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" UK released August 1988 on EMI Records EM 74
Tracks 20 and 19 are the non-album A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released November 1981 on Polydor POSP 379
Track 21 is the non-album B-side of "Stop In The Name Of Love" UK released July 1983 on WEA U 9888
Track 22 is the non-album B-side of "Stop In The Name Of Love" NEW ZEALAND released July 1983 on WEA 2598647

Disc 6 (72:17 minutes):
1. Casualty
2. Take My Love And Run
3. Say You'll Be Mine
4. Something Ain't Right
5. If The Lights Go Out
6. Stop In The Name Of Love
7. I Got What I Want
8. Just One Look
9. Someone Else's Eyes
10. Having A Good Time
11. You're All Woman
12. You Gave Me Strength
13. Laughter Turns To Tears
14. Too Many Hearts Get broken
15. This Is It
16. Reunion Of The Heart
17. Stand By Me
18. For What It's Worth, I'm Sorry
19. Shine Silently
20. Your Eyes
NOTES for Disc 6:
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "What Goes Around" UK and EUROPE released July 1983 on Polydor 25-0139-1
Track 11 in the non-album B-side to the UK 7" single for "Too Many Hearts Get Broken" released May 1985 on Columbia DB 9110 (also on the 12" single).
Tracks 14 and 11 are the non-album A&B-sides to a UK 7" single released May 1985 on Columbia DB 9110
Track 13 is the second non-album B-side to the UK 12" single for "Too Many Hearts Get Broken" released May 1985 on Columbia 12DB 9110
Tracks 15 and 12 are the non-album A&B-sides to a UK 7" single released January 1987 on Columbia DB 9146 - Track 11 is also on the B-side of the 12" single of Columbia 12DB 9146
Track 16 is a non-album A-side to a UK 7" single released March 1987 on Columbia DB 9151
Tracks 17 and 18 are the non-album A&B-sides to a 1988 German 7" single on Coconut 109 664 and 12" single on Coconut 609 664
Tracks 19 and 20 are the non-album A&B-sides to a 1988 German 7" single on Coconut 109 981 and 12" single on Coconut 609 981

Like the first two volumes in this series – the multi-layered triple jewel case is pleasant enough to look at and handle – all the CDs have the famous red Polydor label and the 24-page booklet features new liner notes from ULI TWELKER with all the usual discography info. There are rare European pictures sleeves and photos of the boys throughout as well as two 'in the studio' snaps of the lads beside microphones beneath the see-through CD trays. The only error in the text is "Something To Live For" in the singles list listed as Polydor POSP 175 when it's Polydor POSP 35.

But despite the huge amount of music on offer that works out at less than two quid per album - the presentation feels rather functional rather than celebratory and true fans will notice immediately that across 6CDs there effectively isn't anything new. Having said that the audio is PETER MEW Remasters done at Abbey Road Studios across the last decade or so and old chestnuts like "The Air That I Breathe" and "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" sound sensational. Let’s get to what we do have - the music...

Apart from the obvious spine-tingler of "The Air That I Breathe" that still slaughters me to this day - I'd forgotten how lovely songs like "Don't Let Me Down" and "I'm Down" are - despite their heavy-on-the-strings arrangements (the set's title comes from lyrics in "I'm Down"). Being a huge Bruceophile - I've always liked their sweet cover of his "4th Of July Asbury Park (Sandy)" - The Hollies realising the loveliness and romanticism in the song. A lonesome harmonica wails in "Give Me Time" as Allan Clarke and Terry Sylvester woe us with a gorgeous melody and arrangement. They boogie up a guitar notch on "Daddy Don't Mind" while "Draggin' My Heels" gets friendly with a synth and a salsa rhythm. There's significant hiss on the pretty "Love Is The Thing" - but the bass and vocals on the album's title song "Write On" are beautifully produced here.

The boys go for another 'aeroplane' lonesome song in "Boulder To Birmingham" - world-weariness in their vocals and those sad strings. "Burn Out" is a bopper that feels very Bruce circa "The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle" - but "Hello To Romance" is a little too schlock for me. I don't know who was listening by 1979 when they put out the bizarrely titled "Five Three One - Double Seven O Four" or "513-7704" as we used to call it. Still songs like the anthemic "It's In Every One Of Us" showed that their knack of touching you was still there as Clarke's voice soars hymn-like over a lone string note. More 'turning me on with your eyes' love-song angst appears in the pretty "When I'm Yours" - a gorgeous transfer too. And on it goes...

The eighties albums left me cold and after 1988 and the "All The Hits And More..." 2-disc set - The Hollies suddenly felt like a nostalgia act. But if you want to know why they charted so many successful singles in the Seventies when others fell by the wayside and why they're held in such affection by so many still - then "Head Out Of Dreams..." will feel like a very sweet spot to start indeed...

UK SINGLES A & B-sides (unless otherwise noted) in release-date order:
1. The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee b/w Born A Man - October 1973, Polydor 2058 403 (B-side is non-album)
2. The Air That I Breathe b/w No More Riders - January 1974, Polydor 2058 435 (B-side is non-album)
3. Son Of A Rotten Gambler b/w Layin' To The Music - May 1974, Polydor 2058 476 (both sides are non-album)
4. I'm Down b/w Hello Lady - November 1974, Polydor 2058 533
5. 4th Of July Asbury Park (Sandy) b/w Second Hand Hang-Ups – May 1975, Polydor 2058 595
6. Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress b/w Carrie Anne - September 1976, EMI 2353
7. Boulder To Birmingham b/w Crocodile Woman (She Bites) - February 1976, Polydor 2058 694
8. Star b/w Love Is The Thing - April 1976, Polydor 2058 719
9. Daddy Don't Mind b/w C'Mon - September 1976, Polydor 2058 779
10. Wiggle That Wotsit b/w Corrine - October 1976, Polydor 2058 799
11. Hello To Romance b/w 48-Hour Parole - May 1977, Polydor 2058 880
12. Amnesty b/w Crossfire - July 1977, Polydor 2058 906
13. Look Through Any Window b/w I'm Alive and Just One Look - June 1978, EMI 2813
14. Something To Live For b/w Song For The Sun - March 1979, Polydor POSP 35 (7" single)
Something To Live For b/w Song For The Sun and The Air That I Breathe - March 1979, Polydor POSPX 35 (12" single)
15. Soldier's Song b/w Draggin' My Heels - April 1980, Polydor 2058 246
16. Heartbeat b/w Take Your Time and Reprise - September 1980, Polydor POSP 175
17. Hollidaze b/w Hollipops - August 1981, EMI 5229
18. Take My Love And Run b/w Driver - November 1981, Polydor POSP 379
19. He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother b/w 'Cos You Like To Love Me - August 1982, Parlophone PMS 1001
20. Stop In The Name Of Love b/w Musical Pictures - July 1983, WEA U 9888
Stop In The Name Of Love b/w Let Her Go Down - July 1983, New Zealand on WEA 2598647
21. Just One Look b/w Here I Go Again - March 1984, EMI GG 11
22. Too Many Hearts Get Broken b/w You're All Woman - May 1985, Columbia DB 9110 (7" single)
Too Many Hearts Get Broken b/w You're All Woman and Laughter Turns To Tears - May 1985, Columbia 12DB 9110 (12" single)
23. This Is It b/w You Gave Me Strength - January 1987, Columbia DB 9146 (7" single)
This Is It b/w Give Me Strength/You're All Woman - January 1987, Columbia 12DB 9146 (12" single)
24. Reunion Of The Heart b/w Too Many Hearts Get Broken - March 1987, Columbia DB 9151 (7" single)
Reunion Of The Heart b/w Too Many Hearts Get Broken/Hollidaze - March 1987, Columbia 12DB 9151 (12" single)
25. Stand By Me b/w For What It's Worth, I'm Sorry - 1988 German 7" single on Coconut 109 664 and 12" single on Coconut 609 664
26. Shine Silently b/w Your Eyes - 1988 German 7" single on Coconut 109 981 and 12" single on Coconut 609 981
27. He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother b/w Carrie – August 1988, EMI Records EM 74
-->

No comments:

INDEX - Entries and Artist Posts in Alphabetical Order