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Perhaps the song that was furthest from The Hollies traditional music on this CD is "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)". This song is styled exactly like Credence Clearwater Revival. The song begins with a heavy beat and moves into a fast-paced beat with reverb and solid guitar work that all sounds like the bayou music of CCR; one of The Hollies best works.

Two songs with similar styling that ache for a big hall with heavy echo are "The Air That I Breathe" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" are both slow, mellow songs. "The Air That I Breathe" begins with a wailing lead guitar leading immediately into a heavy vocal. But it's the harmony in the refrain that everyone who lived from the 70s will remember with its soaring vocals. Play it loud in a big room. While some called it a pop travesty or sickly-sweet, I admit to liking this song a lot. I've also seen where one reviewer stated that this song was a prelude to Abba's music, and perhaps in some ways there is some similarity in styling. Of course, I also like Abba too.

The other, somewhat similar, song is "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". Somewhat maudlin, with a wailing harmonica interjected from time to time, and soaring vocals on the refrain, in some ways this song is like a reprise of "The Air That I Breathe". Perhaps I just have a thing for sickly-sweet songs from the 60s and 70s. In any case, I love to play this song really loud.

The Hollies were around for a long time, releasing albums from 1963 to 1983. However, most of their hits came in the 60s and early 70s. Most of their top 40 hits are on this CD; however, a word of caution. While this CD contains the core Hollies songs, there are collections with many more songs. If you are interested in The Hollies top 40 music, then this CD is likely perfect for you. If you think you might like more than just the top 40 music, you may want to go find one of the collections that is more of a "best of" than just their single hits.

One other word of caution; this CD has a paucity of liner notes. I think most people look for some history of a group or the songs, and liner notes have started to become mini-biographies and histories. Forget about that for this CD, there are some but not nearly enough. There may be another CD out there that has better liner notes, but I am unable to direct you to it.

Yes, The Hollies had bubblegum music. Yes, some of it may be considered sickly-sweet. But I still enjoy listening to it. Perhaps it reminds me of my 60s youth. Occasionally The Hollies were able to rise above their own throwaway music to create classics that are played and enjoyed again and again. 4 stars for the good songs on this CD, not reaching 5 because of the lack of good liner notes.


A dated compilation CD (1972)   May 18, 2003
 22 out of 25 found this review helpful

Unless you have nostalgia for this album when you bought it back in the 1970's, I recommend leaving this CD alone. For the same price there are many import Hollies hits CD's that will give you more songs. (btw Epic doesn't have the original first generation master tapes, EMI in England does.)

The only advantage this new remaster has over the original Epic CD is improved sound quality (they fixed the horrible drop-outs that plagued "Bus Stop" and "He' Ain't Heavy") and the compilers used the full length version of "Long Dark Road" instead of the edited 45 single version that was on the original album and CD.

I wish the compilers could have added more of the Hollies Imperial-Epic singles (and even the ones that didn't make it in the USA like "I'm Alive", "Listen To Me", "Sorry Suzanne", "The Baby" "Jesus was a Crossmaker", "Don't Let Me Down" "Sandy" and "Draggin' My Heels") and make this an more comprehensive compilation. But instead to keep it at a low price they only added "Air That I Breathe" to the original track listing.

If you only want the USA hits, this is fine - but if you want the classic UK-only hits like "I Can't Let Go" and some great obscurities check out the imports. The Hollies made lots of great music beyond these big hits.


Hollies have it all!   July 30, 2005
 15 out of 15 found this review helpful

I owned this album when it came out originally. Okay, I know that dates this lass, but I trailed after my uncles and older brothers and developed a taste for the music they were listening to so was a wee bit ahead for my age. Gene Pitney, The Searches, the Moody Blues and the Hollies. Oh, dear, I would have run away with Allan Clarke! hehehe. Handsome black-haired men always touched my heart, and oh could Clarke win a girl's heart harmonizing with the great Graham Nash.

Well, this is an album I bought again when cassettes came out and bought yet again on CD. Will buy whatever the next format that comes along. I wore the record out! Bus Stop - is there a more romantic tune? Hollies were an upbeat rock group. You couldn't sit still, yet there was so much passion in their lyrics. Same for Air That I Breathe, over a decade later! Such a passionate song that is timeless. Less romantic, but still a classic, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress proved the Hollies just kept going on and on when other British Invasion groups gave up the ghost and stuck their spoon in the wall. Stop, Stop, Stop is a funny song my father thought was entirely too racy for me. Ah, how times change.

I am surprised how well these song "aged". I enjoy them as much now as I did them.

A must for all Hollies fans. If you are looking to get into the group, there is not better entrance.




Improves on the Original   July 6, 2002
 14 out of 17 found this review helpful

This version of the Hollies Greatest Hits is superior to the one that was available for many years. The original covered only the period until Grahm Nash left to join Crosby, Stills and Nash. As a result, it was missing "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" and "The Air that I Breathe," two of the band's best known songs. This package corrects that deficiency. The rest of the material is pure 60s bubblegum pop, with the exception of "Long, Cool Woman," an obvious homage to Creedence Clearwater Revival. If you dig the band's hits, this is the collection for you.


"Hey Loyal Fan, What's Your Game Now-Can Anybody Play"?   February 12, 2008
 11 out of 14 found this review helpful

Time for frivolity I suppose. Me, being at the circus and all. And, as expected, it is not enough that these performers do amazing somersaults - but some in the crowd want them to jump through hoops of fire as well. I am awed by all the chances they take. And don't think, for one minute, that I didn't take a chance too by coming here. Yes. Some kid has already stolen my cotton candy. I can hear the flowing of your tears as we speak. ;)

Welcome to the wonderful world of The Hollies. Pleasant pop-hooks, alluring vocal harmony, one of the more melodic rock bands that came out of the 60's British Invasion. As a calculating Seer I can tell you that time frames present puzzle-piece permutations (3 X fast people!) to fill in the alloted space. Certainly when popular music moved to the psychedelic sound, there was still a need for understandable, relationship pop. The Hollies kept going, and to no one's surprise, very successfully.

The subject matter was creative - but not overly so lest the message bogs down the melody. This group was tantmount to an ocean breeze on a hot summer's day, the jolt of excitement over a new love, and the sadness (but never devastation) over a lost love. No - the Hollies balanced it all and the results were always pleasant, if not downright safe.

To say the Hollies protagonist doesn't wind up everywhere would be an understatement. Finding love at a "Bus Stop" and "On a Carousel". Watching a svelte belly dancer in "Stop, Stop, Stop". And tempting the law with "Carrie Anne". That's about the most controversial they became (without anyone really noticing).

Of course, everything here is so well written and scores on many levels. Whether your preference is animal attration (Long, Cool Woman etc.), spiritual morality (He Ain't Heavy etc.) or aching love confessionals (The Air that I Breathe), it is all included. I should point out the one song that deviates away from the formula and demands more reflection is "King Midas in Reverse". I think it one of their best and more unusual compositions. But, I heartell that the group wasn't fond of it. Graham Nash was, and he soon left for Crosby, Stills and Nash. A wise move, if you ask me.

Now, I have heard many Hollies albums over time. I will tell you that other things they have done are just as well done. That said, it is a difficult thing to sum up a career in one c.d., muchless two at times. However, if you do want a good representation by them, and only have limited space in your archive, this would be the selection to get.

Well, gotta go people. The tightrope walkers are beginning (I feel like that at times) and, what do you know? That kid has come back crying with his mother in tow. She's making him apologize and he's offering me fresh cotton candy! Nice to know that some parents still instill good values. Gee - I wonder if it's brandy flavoured? Hope so.

I walk the line--------Metamorpho ;)