Customer Reviews

Hollies Sing Dylan

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

 

 

This is the album that drove Graham Nash out of the band. Nearly continually reviled as blasphemous, "Hollies Sing Dylan" is actually one of the most persuasive showcases of the band's interpretive talent. Twelve mostly familiar Dylan tunes are given the full Hollies transformation. Their version of "This Wheel's On Fire" stands confidently among any of the competing versions (such as by the Byrds). "The Times They Are A-Changin'" is equally powerful and anthemic. Allan Clarke expands his budding talents as balladeer in a moving version of "Just Like a Woman" and puts in a jaw-dropping performance on "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight"--there will never be another singer like him. Tony Hicks gives his first virtuoso acoustic guitar solo on "Quit Your Lowdown Ways." Bobby Elliott's drumming is more prominent and effective than ever before. The Clarke/Hicks/Sylvester vocal blend is still a little rough in places but already hinting of the seamless sound soon to come. Gripes? In most places the additional orchestration is unnecessary and detracts from the material. The worst example is "My Back Pages" which starts with a dramatic drums and organ accompaniment to Allan Clarke's trenchant solo delivery, only to be trivialized by an invasion of fruity reed and woodwind instruments.

No one criticized Joan Baez for doing an album of Dylan songs and there is no reason to knock the Hollies for doing the same. In some ways this is the most pure Hollies album of all, forcing the group to exert itself to burn its brand on every song.

This is the original 1969 LP reissue plus two bonus tracks.

Originally issued in the US under the title "Words & Music By Bob Dylan", this was the reported straw that broke the camel's back as far as one Graham Nash was concerned. However, the two bonus tracks are proof that Nash WAS involved in at least the early stages of the album when David and Stephen came calling.

Musically, the album is a treat for Hollies fans. The alternate version of "The Times They Are A-Changin'" is the first official release of any live Nash-era material. Track 13, "Blowin' In The Wind", was originally issued only in West Germany well ahead of the album and extraordinarily rare.

Can't add much to the fine review above.I would probably give the album 3.5 stars(based on my treasured vinyl copy,so the CD's sound may be of higher quality).I would say it compares favorably to the Byrds' Dylan covers(and subsequent compilation album),and occasionally surpasses them."Quit Your Lowdown Ways" is my favorite cut.I gave a vinyl copy to a close,Dylanophile friend,who owns "everything Dylan"(but had never heard this) for his 50th birthday.My wish has always been that Graham Nash would have left the Hollies after this album and added his creative energies to this fine collection of songs.A must for Hollies fans,a challenge for Dylan's.All we are saying is give the Hollies a chance.

As a fan of The Hollies since the 1960s, I honestly must say this is not one of the band's best moments. The main problem is that the Dylan songs chosen were well-known in previous renditions, either by Dylan himself or others. I think this might have worked better if more obscure tunes were attempted, thus giving the band more of a chance to breathe. As it is, there is no reason for another take on "My Back Pages", "The Mighty Quinn", or "Just Like A Woman". especially since they had recently been hit cover versions by The Byrds (the former) and Manfred Mann (the latter two). Plus most of the arrangements here tend to be a bit too upbeat for the material. But I'd say about a third of this 12-track collection works well (it would have made a great EP), especially the over-the-top take on "Blowin' In the Wind", which comes across as a campy Bobby Darin meets Dylan meets The Hollies hybrid. "(This) Wheel's on Fire" is good too, but also had been covered successfully by Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger & The Trinity. So The Hollies get marks for daring to re-interpret these Dylan tunes, but, again, the over-familiarity of the majority of the tunes ultimately works against the group.

A spellbinding match up!!! The great songs of Bob Dylan, expertly delivered by the rich vocal harmonies of the Hollies. Especially captivating are their renditions of "This Wheels On Fire", "I Shall Be Released" and "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight". A must for any Hollies fan collection. I wish they would have done a Volume 2.

Well this hollies release was pretty much hated by just about every critic. After hearing it Im so glad I didnt listen to them. First off we have one of the greatest song writers teamed with arguably the greatest vocal harmony group ever so how bad could it possibly be. I suspect that any band trying to cover the "great" and "untouchable" bob dylan songbook was going to be scrutinized regardless of how good it was. There are a few misteps however, Blowin in the wind is heavy handed, but tracks like I shall be released and this wheels on fire are so good they are sure to give the listener goosebumps.

The hollies never put out a bad cd in the sixties ever. This to me was their weakest and it gets three stars from me! The band signature harmonies are there but
unlike other cd's from them it's hitless and as one reviewer said they needed to pick other dylan songs. I don't know what idiot thought that a wonderful group like the hollies shouldn't be allowed to record dylan though, some dumb critic of the day probably? However they do a decent job here but compared to their other sixties releases including their earliest ones It's just not as fun to me as what they put out right up to 1974 at least. I would say that this is for hollies fans but get other releases first before you grab this one.

I have just heard this album. I think it is refreshing - the Hollies bring out the pop melody side of Dylan. The only track I do not like is 'Blowing in the wind' - the rest of it is a welcome reading of Dylan songs in the band's distinctive harmony style.

What a coup here. You get the great sound of the Hollies performing some of Dylan's greatest hits. If you are
a fan of either, you will want to have this in your collection. Great sound and very good selection of songs.
This one is a winner. Enough said.