Customer Reviews

A's B's & Ep's

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The music is great. The Hollies are definitely a 5-star band but this review is on the CD, not the songs or the band. The CD is copy protected and upon inserting it into my PC immediately begins to try to install "required updates" to my Media Player. I don't want every CD I own installing its own patches to Media player so it can control how I use the CD. I have never stolen, borrowed, copied, or loaned someone else my CD's or taken copies of theirs and I do not want copy protected CDs.

The concept brings to mind the problems my wife has with her ebooks on Microsoft Reader. Her PC decides, often randomly or arbitrarily, whether or not she can read the books she paid for. I don't want my CDs doing the same thing.

Finish your CD libraries soon before the copy protection takes away you right to listen when and where you choose.

For years I have searched in vain for a quality copy of "Look Through Any Window" in its original mono mix, the way I heard it in 1965. I literally wore out the 45 long ago and despaired of ever finding it again. The stereo mix is, quite frankly, NOT good, with extra vocalizations in the break. Well, at least, that's MY opinion of them! So, at last I found As, Bs AND EPs with a fantastic mono mix of one of my favorite songs from my wayward youth. Suprisingly, the REST of the tracks are great, too, many of them new to me. So, I can highly recommend this release. The sound is true to the original, but clear. I am eternally grateful to those who love mono!

For Hollies fans, those curious about the best harmony group to come out of the British Invasion and really, anyone interested in classic beat music, this collection of singles, returned to their original mono mixes, is essential.
A's, B's & EP's tracks the evolution of the Hollies from the typical early sixties English beat group relliance on American RnB through the emergence of Nash, Clarke and Hicks as songwriters in their own right. Many of the latter songs would likely be considered, by the average fan, as typical Hollies...i.e. Bus stop, Carousel, etc... but the seeds of that sound are apparent right from the very start of their recording career. The sound of Graham Nash, Allen Clarke and Tony Hicks unprocessed harmonies never fail to impress.
The only real downside of the collection is the lack of any real detailed studio notes; descriptions of which were "A" or "B" sides; chart positions, etc... bits of information we've come to expect from compliations. It's been well publicised that EMI were quite particular about keeping proper studio logs, not retaping over sessions- it's regrettable that those directing this collection at EMI didn't see fit to put the same care into others as they've put into the Beatles mono reissues.
The Hollies A's, B's & EP's is still worth checking out.

The Hollies are one of the great singles bands from the original British invasion. This CD presents a good survey of their early efforts. The major hits show how excellent this band could be and the b-sides are interesting in that the band rises above sometimes mediocre material. Bobby Elliot was probably the most under-rated drummer of the invasion. Tony Hicks was a tasty and punchy guitarist. Alan Clarke could belt out as well as any invasion era singer. It's interesting to hear Graham Nash in his early period showing a black side to his vocal approach on the early covers, particularly on the Coaster sides. Overall, this is a good sampling of their early hits. Surprisingly, Bus Stop is not included and I would have liked to have Don't Run and Hide, one of my personal early favorites, on this collection. That aside, this is a very good collection if you don't already have these songs on CD.

This Hollies compilation covers the first five years of the Hollies' recording career. Most of the British A-sides rom that period are included along with almost as many B-sides. A couple of EP-tracks are included too, with the "Honey and Wine" as the most obscure.

It's quite obvious that the group was growing enormously these years - as a recording act, and even more as songwriters. Though the did some fine Everly Brothers inspired B-sides already in 1963, most of their early songs sound rather primitive compared to originals from 1966-67 like "Carrie Anne", "On a Carousel, "Stop, Stop, Stop" and "I've Got a Way of My Own".

Among the other great singles "Look Through Any Window", "I Can't Let Go" and "I'm Alive" stand out as some of the greatest pop-rock recordings of the mid-sixties. Strange that "Yes I Will" ( Goffin/King) has been left out as one of the very few A-sides from the period. It's one my favourite early Hollies singles.

All in all a good compilation of their earliest years.