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Post by anthony on Feb 25, 2019 21:22:39 GMT
I think the last thing the current group wants to do is draw attention to previous members, and to that end, inviting comparisons to previous far more illustrious versions of the group. They are on tour to promote today's Hollies. Sure, they have to play the old hits, but they don't want people dwelling on the band from their salad days. So this way, they keep the focus on the current group on stage, and keep well away from reminding their audience of former members. That's a bit cold-hearted for sure, but I can see the reasoning behind it. What is ironic though, is that the group who always battled their 'faceless' reputation, now actively promote it.
It wouldn't hurt to (say) dedicate 'Just One Look' to Eric Haydock every night.
I was thinking a bit about this, I would be really surprised if the general public who attend the shows here in Australia would have any idea who Eric haydoc was or for that matter any of the past members are.
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Post by Gralto on Mar 23, 2019 14:35:49 GMT
I know this is late but here is my review of the Melbourne gig from a month ago. I'm adding this as an Attachment due to its length. You'll have to be a member of this site (free of course) to read this. cheers Simon The Hollies Live at Hamer Hall.docx (109.16 KB)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2019 15:16:59 GMT
Thank you Simon, I enjoyed reading your review (which, incidentally, I managed to download and open without signing up to anything).
I haven't heard anything about Ray being ill. Certainly, he partook in a Mud reunion (of sorts) recently.
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Post by Gralto on Mar 24, 2019 1:54:11 GMT
Thank you Simon, I enjoyed reading your review (which, incidentally, I managed to download and open without signing up to anything). I haven't heard anything about Ray being ill. Certainly, he partook in a Mud reunion (of sorts) recently. Thanks Peter. As you are a member of this board, you have full access to everything (not that there is much extra!) But guests visiting the board clicking on any links to downloads will be unable to access these unless they log in or join up. And yes, Ray may be fully fine - I hope so. It was undoubtedly the least animated/most inert I've ever seen perform at the Melbourne gigs I've attended.
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Post by eric on Mar 24, 2019 11:48:21 GMT
Simon, thank you for your excellent review of the Melbourne concert, which can also double as a review of the band’s Adelaide concert given the setlist is identical and the stage banter very similar.
I have been reflecting on the Adelaide concert over recent weeks and although I enjoyed the show I must admit that I would love to see some “freshness” come into the setlist. My interest in The Hollies music extends way past the hits and to this end I would love to see some earlier album tracks included in future concerts, such as Simon’s suggestion of “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” and my favourite, “What’s Wrong With The Way I Live”. The latter song is well known in Australia and Peter Howarth now provides a connection to this 1960’s Aussie hit through his past relationship with Cliff Richard, and in turn, Cliff’s involvement with Terry Britten, his 1970’s guitarist and song writer. Britten, a Mancunian by birth but a migrant to Australia, was a member of The Twilights band that had this hit Down Under before he returned to England to pursue his musical career. I would be happy to write some words for Peter to introduce this song to their audience!
I agree with Simon with regard to changing the finish to the show. “He Ain’t Heavy” is the one song that brings a Hollies audience to its feet so why not close the show with it and leave the audience wanting more?
As we know, The Hollies are exceptional interpreters of other artists songs, so why not include an Aussie song either during the show or as a one song encore? To do this would not be unusual. Bruce Springsteen has included Aussie songs in his Aussie shows and I have seen Neil Young and Crazy Horse open their Adelaide concert with a Hendrix style version of the Australian national anthem. A one song encore of "What Wrong With The Way I Live", or another suitable Aussie song such as The Easybeats “Friday On My Mind” would go down a treat. It would provide a “nod” to Aussie artists in general and, significantly, to those that they influenced. (The Easybeats started out by doing Hollies covers.) Just a thought.
With regard to Ray Stiles, I do hope all is well with him.
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Post by allanangel on Mar 25, 2019 15:47:24 GMT
I know this is late but here is my review of the Melbourne gig from a month ago. I'm adding this as an Attachment due to its length. You'll have to be a member of this site (free of course) to read this. cheers Simon Excellent review, thank you! Your points re: Allan and giving him the credit he deserves are spot on! It really bothers me that the Hollies, such as they are, are not only singing LCW, but ending the concert with it as if it was a Hollies' massive hit. LCW is Allan's song and should be thought of that way!
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Post by cameron on Mar 26, 2019 8:23:41 GMT
Great review, your thoughts echo what just about every die-hard Hollies fan has been saying for a decade or so now. The Hollies are at another crossroads it seems, I've heard reports of some venues not quite selling out recently too. For me, it's the harmonies that are gone. That's a Hollies trademark. Tony was always the quietest, Peter Howarth is vocally a bit of a mis-fit compared to Hollies frontmen in the past, that clear-cut punching high harmony was the glue that could bridge that gap. But it's not there, so the whole thing falls flat. It staggers me how the various Greatest Hits packages that we're invariably offered every year creep up in the amount of tracks offered, consistently sneaking in new-found favourites like 'Very Last Day', 'Man With No Expression', 'Schoolgirl', 'Don't Let Me Down', 'Have You Ever Loved Somebody' and a fair selection of the Sing Dylan era tracks, but none of this is reflected in the stage show. They even used to close with 'Blowin In The Wind' and even the current lineup sneak 'Very Last Day' into the set during their visit to Scandinavia, where it was originally a hit for them.
It's this "more of the same" every year that turns the long-time fans off going, and indeed turns them off the current line up in general. I see that most of the Howarth-era tracks have been dropped from the set. The only two that I really enjoy are 'So Damn Beautiful' and Tony's 'Then, Now & Always', but they're gone. I feel that Peter Howarth especially would come into his own presenting never-before performed live tracks, because it offers something new. I would be the first one through the door at a show if there was a promise of a few of the many many superb 1966-1968 tracks being performed. The lightweight ditties from 1963-1965 need dropping. They're too widely covered now and the Hollies do sound like their own tribute band when trying to perform them.
For me, the current line up excels at performing the more serious, more AOR 1969-1975 tracks. Even 'Sorry Suzanne' is quite a good fit for Howarth, as it allows him to stretch his vocal legs with the phrasing. There's plenty to be going at from that era that was either a hit or consistently turns up on Greatest Hits packages. And also, why not give the general public something that they've not heard before? I've never played 'To Do With Love' to someone and them not go seeking out 'Distant Light' to hear more. To send the general fans away with a deeper understanding of the Hollies' back catalogue and leave them seeking more out will do wonders for their album sales.
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Post by anthony on Mar 27, 2019 22:48:39 GMT
I know this is late but here is my review of the Melbourne gig from a month ago. I'm adding this as an Attachment due to its length. You'll have to be a member of this site (free of course) to read this. cheers Simon Thanks for your review, I did feel the concert was a bit flat this time around. Don't really agree about dropping some hits as the general public really only know those songs and that's what they want to hear, myself I think songs like Long Dark Road should be in the set, us Hollies fans here who know more of the band the albums, history would like things changed around a bit. I know the friends I went with said they hadn't heard of we're through. famous Hollies number but general public have no idea. Really these days the Hollies are a part time band Peter Howarth is doing his stuff with Frontm3n, I know they were on tour almost right up to the start of the Aussie Tour. Can you imagine if the Hollies played a trek like Its a shame its a game, firstly 95 % will say they have never heard of it and the other 5% will say he doesn't do a good job, he butchered it, I would love it. Myself I am really pleased the Hollies are still going around, the audiences are willing to attend, no half filled venues here in Oz, Love the chance I can still see Bobby and tony again, two guys well into their 70's. Really I'm disappointed with the anti Hollies feel here by some members, you need to take the group for what they are, a 60's and 70's band. What band still sounds like they did 50 years ago and has all its original members? Some are lucky to have one, some non. With respect to this great web site, I would have no interest being here if the Hollies disbanded, we would just be a group here talking about the old days. That's why myself being a big Beatles fan I'm not on any Beatles sites, what's the point, its all been said before. Just find it hard to know what the knockers really expect from this band. When I have seen Fleetwood Mac, a few times they never mention former members, The fact the Hollies play their songs is a tribute to all its past members. That's it from me.
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Post by dirtyfaz on Mar 28, 2019 23:04:38 GMT
Mostly for me I enjoyed the show given that there were some technical issues in Sydney. Got more out of it than any other previous time with Howarth as LS.
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Post by moorlock2003 on Mar 30, 2019 17:23:42 GMT
I too attended the Sydney concert and I throughly enjoyed it. With regard to the repertoire, I really enjoyed Magic Woman Touch as it was the first time after five concerts that I have attended that I have seen this song live as it is a favourite. And I would not be too troubled if 'The Baby' was retired as I have seen it played a number of times. The big hits will never be not played though I think 'What's Wrong With The Way I Live' has a history in Australia and if played would have been truly appreciated. Some sound problems were dealt with in a humorous way which went over well. Again, the band has had a habit of not creating a set list specifically for the place they are playing. I rate "What's wrong with the way I live" very highly indeed. Lyrically it is my favorite. Not even The Beatles were coming up with lyrics as sharp in 1966.
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Post by moorlock2003 on Mar 30, 2019 17:34:37 GMT
I think the last thing the current group wants to do is draw attention to previous members, and to that end, inviting comparisons to previous far more illustrious versions of the group. They are on tour to promote today's Hollies. Sure, they have to play the old hits, but they don't want people dwelling on the band from their salad days. So this way, they keep the focus on the current group on stage, and keep well away from reminding their audience of former members. That's a bit cold-hearted for sure, but I can see the reasoning behind it. What is ironic though, is that the group who always battled their 'faceless' reputation, now actively promote it.
It wouldn't hurt to (say) dedicate 'Just One Look' to Eric Haydock every night.
Exactly, especially since Haydock was the first of the original lineup to pass.
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Post by anthony on Mar 31, 2019 22:01:01 GMT
I too attended the Sydney concert and I throughly enjoyed it. With regard to the repertoire, I really enjoyed Magic Woman Touch as it was the first time after five concerts that I have attended that I have seen this song live as it is a favourite. And I would not be too troubled if 'The Baby' was retired as I have seen it played a number of times. The big hits will never be not played though I think 'What's Wrong With The Way I Live' has a history in Australia and if played would have been truly appreciated. Some sound problems were dealt with in a humorous way which went over well. Again, the band has had a habit of not creating a set list specifically for the place they are playing. I rate "What's wrong with the way I live" very highly indeed. Lyrically it is my favorite. Not even The Beatles were coming up with lyrics as sharp in 1966. they brought in Magic woman touch as it was a hit where they were playing a show last year, always bring back too young to be married when playing here in Oz, brought back Very last day when they were playing where it charted a few years ago. So not sure you are fully correct. Whats wrong with the way I live was a hit here for the twilights. The Hollies arn't the only group that doesn't play a song, saw ACDC about ten years ago here and they didn't play its a long way to the top. Its not unusual to walk away from a concert and think its strange they didn't play this or that. The Hollies have a habit of being like all other groups I feel.
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Post by moorlock2003 on Apr 15, 2019 9:06:50 GMT
I think it is absolutely shameful that Tony didn't acknowledge Eric's passing. Another example of former members being thought of as dispensible. I think the last thing the current group wants to do is draw attention to previous members, and to that end, inviting comparisons to previous far more illustrious versions of the group. They are on tour to promote today's Hollies. Sure, they have to play the old hits, but they don't want people dwelling on the band from their salad days. So this way, they keep the focus on the current group on stage, and keep well away from reminding their audience of former members. That's a bit cold-hearted for sure, but I can see the reasoning behind it. What is ironic though, is that the group who always battled their 'faceless' reputation, now actively promote it. .....proving they are far from the band they used to be, which is quite obvious.
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Post by anthony on Apr 15, 2019 22:48:30 GMT
I think the last thing the current group wants to do is draw attention to previous members, and to that end, inviting comparisons to previous far more illustrious versions of the group. They are on tour to promote today's Hollies. Sure, they have to play the old hits, but they don't want people dwelling on the band from their salad days. So this way, they keep the focus on the current group on stage, and keep well away from reminding their audience of former members. That's a bit cold-hearted for sure, but I can see the reasoning behind it. What is ironic though, is that the group who always battled their 'faceless' reputation, now actively promote it. .....proving they are far from the band they used to be, which is quite obvious. just a question Moorlock, I know you wont answer anyway, because I know what the answer will be, Did Rickfors make any mention of Allan Clarke when he was their lead singer, you have seen that line up twice if I'm correct. you would be the man that knows. I would imagine not. Lets be balanced with our comments.
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Post by dirtyfaz on Apr 16, 2019 1:16:13 GMT
Opinions, opinions, opinions, we all have them. Some of us may not agree with the opinion but here on this site we can all express our opinions. That's the beauty of this site. As long as the comments don't get personal I'm fine with opinions and I express mine at times. Hey I am not fond of the current line up and have seen them several time. They leave me cold (not a lot of personality from them) but I keep going back just to hear the songs.
I wouldn't expect any touring band to mention previous members and I would think very few if any would. Why would they?
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Post by Gralto on Apr 16, 2019 13:15:03 GMT
I wouldn't expect any touring band to mention previous members and I would think very few if any would. Why would they?
I agree in part but not totally. I refer to AC/DC - they were a family band, run by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young and produced/mentored by older brother George (Easybeats/Flash & The Pan) Young. When Bon Scott died they retired the anthemic 'Long Way To The Top'. Replacement lead singer Brian Johnston would mention Bon's legacy frequently. The AC/DC fans bought in. The band remained enormous and as a live act, have raked in many times more $$ than The Hollies. It's about the band's narrative here - the fans know what went before. Those that didn't quickly found out their history. These stories are meaningful. The Hollies too have been a family band and have been run by Hicks and Elliott (old mates and essentially brothers-in-law) since the mid 1970s. The duo don't mess around too much with the behind the scenes personnel, and while there have been plenty of backing vocalists and keyboardists through the ranks, Parker and Stiles have been there for 25 years +, Lauri and Howarth 15. Road manager/mister fixit Rod Shields worked with them for 35 years. Webmaster/photographer Rob Haywood has been involved with them for at least 25. The Hollies are loyal to those whom they trust. Knut Skyberg will also confirm that. I don't expect that Haydock (4), Calvert (15), Sylvester (12), Rickfors (2), Rathbone (1) and even Nash (7, if you include all his stints) ever need be name checked during a gig, their respective years in the band in brackets. But Clarke (35) should be. He was the voice of The Hollies for every hit bar The Baby (and Magic Woman Touch in some territories). He wrote and played the signature moment on the song that has finished hundreds of Hollies concerts since he left the group. His voice was unique - nobody else sounded like him. The Air That I Breathe would not have have happened if Clarke had not returned. He considers He Ain't Heavy his greatest vocal - that's the big three right there. Without him, the band would not have existed in the same way between 1974-99, the continuity of his voice and appearance up front the glue of credibility setting up the lucrative Wayne/Howarth years. The band owe him something FFS. I understand the whole forging a new era with Howarth thing but without Clarke, there is no big Hollies paycheck for the current guy. The songs don't sell themselves with anyone singing them - Sylvester proved that singing LCW for 2 years (not denigrating your experiences at Santa Monica, Moorlock - I'm sure they rocked the place super hard - the surviving footage and audio confirms that) but Terry didn't have the strident vocal power of Clarke. If he did, I'm sure they would have made him lead singer in 1972 instead of looking externally. But he just didn't have that voice, excellent though he was. Clarke was irreplaceable to their sound, as they found when the hits began drying up during his absence. The least the bloke deserves - no matter what the other present long time band members might think of him today - is a one liner about his contribution in EVERY single concert somewhere. It's not much to ask.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 14:10:54 GMT
I've seen Fairport Convention a couple of times in recent years, and both times they mentioned Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson. Ditto Lindisfarne, who also reference past members.
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Post by anthony on Apr 16, 2019 14:20:45 GMT
I know that Carl wayne payed tribute to Allan Clarke here in Melbourne, I think this issue for me is when some here are willing to knock this line up for no mentioning of Allan Clarke, when Rickfors took over did he mention Clarke, no. Just like people to be balanced. The Hollies have never been good at mentioning past members, only one who got a mention is Graham Nash, I remember them mentioning him in 1983 and 1987, well 83 they had an Album with him. Seen many groups live over the years, little is said re past members. If they spend their time devoting this and that to past members then it becomes a tribute band really. Plus Allan's been gone 18 odd years now, people at most concerts would struggle to name the band members present or past. Its like when I'm at work in the lunch room talking to a few fellow oldies about past workers, the newer worker is now interested.
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Post by johnt on Apr 17, 2019 8:01:13 GMT
Actually, Tony did mention Rickfors as a past member during a concert in Dalhalla back in 2006, but that was probably because the Dalhalla Festival was in Sweden. I remember it got a round of applause at the time.
Ps. I met Knut there for the first time.
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Post by anthony on Apr 17, 2019 13:47:27 GMT
Actually, Tony did mention Rickfors as a past member during a concert in Dalhalla back in 2006, but that was probably because the Dalhalla Festival was in Sweden. I remember it got a round of applause at the time. Ps. I met Knut there for the first time. thanks for that, great Rickfors got a mention. The great thing about a Hollies concert is the fact you meet other fans. Lucky enough to have met Knut a few times now.
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