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Post by Stranger on May 21, 2023 17:35:17 GMT
The Midnight Special has started to post complete episodes including this one which includes The Hollies doing Magic Woman Touch, which I've certainly never seen before. Despite what Harry Chapin it seems that maybe all that's live is some of the vocals.
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on May 22, 2023 8:47:51 GMT
And at 47:00...He Ain't Heavy. The YouTube comments are all pretty much "the Hollies aren't the Hollies without Alan/Allan!" Poor Mikael had an uphill battle...
I've never noticed his eyebrows before...now I can't see anything but!
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Post by moorlock2003 on May 23, 2023 1:35:44 GMT
At last! Love it. Coincidentally not only did The Hollies have a new lead singer, so did Blood, Sweat, and Tears.
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Post by moorlock2003 on May 23, 2023 1:36:54 GMT
And at 47:00...He Ain't Heavy. The YouTube comments are all pretty much "the Hollies aren't the Hollies without Alan/Allan!" Poor Mikael had an uphill battle... I've never noticed his eyebrows before...now I can't see anything but! People have had 50 years to get over the fact that Allan Clarke left to satisfy his own ego. If there’s any complaining to be done it should be about the lousy singer they have now. Rickfors was superb. |
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Post by anthony on May 23, 2023 5:46:21 GMT
At last! Love it. Ironically not only did The Hollies had a new lead singer, so did Blood, Sweat, and Tears. I do love the Magic Woman Clip, I knew it wouldn't take long for you to defend Rickfors. That era did have a lot of great songs |
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Post by nashfan076 on May 23, 2023 6:22:41 GMT
I may be in the minority here but I think Romany is one of their finest albums. Not a bad song on there. Very relaxing listen.
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Post by dirtyfaz on May 23, 2023 7:42:18 GMT
Well I happen to think Romany is one of their better albums as well.
I did actually happen to see the version of the Hollies with Mikael here in Sydney. The most powerful Hollies I've seen. I've seen them all except the Nash version. Howarth may be a good singer but I've seen them with him a couple of times and won't see them again. I just don't like his vocal fit with the band. I would suggest not very many people that frequent this forum would actually have seen the Rickfors version of The Hollies.
I also have to agree with Moorlock2003 about Allan leaving and his ego.
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Post by cameron on May 24, 2023 15:47:13 GMT
This was a real treat. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is this the only live/part live Rickfors era footage that we have apart from the 'In Concert' stuff? And this seems better shot, you can at least see Rickfors front and centre with the band.
I don't reckon much to his version of 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' (though a nice dialled back version is on his latest solo LP that's just been released!), or Terry singing 'Long Cool Woman'; those songs are embodied by Allan Clarke's delivery, and they are "his" songs, but the group do a wonderful live version of 'Magic Woman Touch', which I've never seen before. The 'Romany' era recordings are among my favourite/most listened to by the group. It seems to me that they spent so much more time than usual making a really clear and well-arranged recording. 'Out On The Road' fails to recapture the magic of 'Romany', IMO. Perhaps due to Ron Richards losing interest, the band spent longer perfecting each song. To me, 'Romany' is a blueprint for how to arrange and produce a fantastic engaging album. It's so varied and so captivating, that it doesn't matter that the vast majority of the material comes from other writers.
I do find it funny how Hollies fans will say negative things about the Rickfors era, but will go and see the Howarth-fronted Hollies. To me, Rickfors era Hollies sounded far more like the Hollies than they do now. I've said before ad nauseam that the hard-hitting vocal punch with the soaring high harmony just isn't there now. They managed to carry it through even with Alan Coates, but now it's just not there.
It begs the question because it has never actually been answered - WHO did the Hollies want to be their new lead singer back in 1972? We now know thanks to Bobby that Ron Richards selected Mikael Rickfors without really consulting the band. I wonder if Kenny Lynch was considered, since the Hollies were already recording with him in 1972?
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Post by baz on May 24, 2023 18:11:07 GMT
I do find it funny how Hollies fans will say negative things about the Rickfors era, but will go and see the Howarth-fronted Hollies. To me, Rickfors era Hollies sounded far more like the Hollies than they do now. I've said before ad nauseam that the hard-hitting vocal punch with the soaring high harmony just isn't there now. They managed to carry it through even with Alan Coates, but now it's just not there. It begs the question because it has never actually been answered - WHO did the Hollies want to be their new lead singer back in 1972? We now know thanks to Bobby that Ron Richards selected Mikael Rickfors without really consulting the band. I wonder if Kenny Lynch was considered, since the Hollies were already recording with him in 1972? The Rickfors era was great... the music still holds up really well. I also think because Mikael was unknown and the band had a long string of hits to follow that it made the band pull out the stops to prove themselves without Allan. Musically, they pulled it off whereas commercially, sadly it was a different matter altogether. It was such a shame when Bobby wrote off that era in 1988 as being "bland" when it was actually one of their most creative and diverse. Hey Bobby... those late 70's albums, now that's what "bland" sounds like. I do agree the Rickfors' Hollies sound more Hollies than the current incarnation plus hearing Allan and Graham harmonising again lately doesn't help the cause much either as for me, it's been lovely to hear those two harmonising again whereas I hear the Howarth Hollies and well... it does nothing for me at all. |
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on May 25, 2023 8:27:03 GMT
I do find it funny how Hollies fans will say negative things about the Rickfors era, but will go and see the Howarth-fronted Hollies. To me, Rickfors era Hollies sounded far more like the Hollies than they do now. I've said before ad nauseam that the hard-hitting vocal punch with the soaring high harmony just isn't there now. They managed to carry it through even with Alan Coates, but now it's just not there. There's a huge difference between Hollies recordings fans and Hollies concert fans though. Most of us are in the first camp (although we attend concerts too) and I think it's safe to say that we all like the Rickfors era. Quality is quality. The second camp are the "hits" fans who go to the concerts but would be hard pressed to even name an album. They didn't see Rickfors live with the Hollies. They only know whomever they see live on stage, recreating "Bus Stop." |
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Post by anthony on May 25, 2023 8:45:44 GMT
I do find it funny how Hollies fans will say negative things about the Rickfors era, but will go and see the Howarth-fronted Hollies. To me, Rickfors era Hollies sounded far more like the Hollies than they do now. I've said before ad nauseam that the hard-hitting vocal punch with the soaring high harmony just isn't there now. They managed to carry it through even with Alan Coates, but now it's just not there. There's a huge difference between Hollies recordings fans and Hollies concert fans though. Most of us are in the first camp (although we attend concerts too) and I think it's safe to say that we all like the Rickfors era. Quality is quality. The second camp are the "hits" fans who go to the concerts but would be hard pressed to even name an album. They didn't see Rickfors live with the Hollies. They only know whomever they see live on stage, recreating "Bus Stop." |
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Post by anthony on May 25, 2023 9:07:16 GMT
There's a huge difference between Hollies recordings fans and Hollies concert fans though. Most of us are in the first camp (although we attend concerts too) and I think it's safe to say that we all like the Rickfors era. Quality is quality. The second camp are the "hits" fans who go to the concerts but would be hard pressed to even name an album. They didn't see Rickfors live with the Hollies. They only know whomever they see live on stage, recreating "Bus Stop." I would agree with you being roughly 2 camps. Most here know more of the Hollies, who’s who, more about recordings etc. I have been a fan since early 70’s and still see this line up when possible, funny when they play lesser know songs you know most of the audience will have no idea of what it is. To be honest the Hollies have always been just a hits concert package, never saw Rockford live but I know they did a lot more original material in their concerts as it was easier. In the end the Hollies are really a 60’s to mid 70’s band, all groups still going from that era would not be recording or sounding like they once did. A few recording these days are Cliff Richard and Paul McCartney who is sounding shocking. I feel most concert goes are there for nostalgia reasons plus most at concerts are oldies like myself, and I do get sick of hearing some of the same old songs like Sorry Suzanne, I’m alive, Yes I will. But it’s a link to my favourite group and who knows when it will end, |
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on May 26, 2023 9:09:18 GMT
I would agree with you being roughly 2 camps. Most here know more of the Hollies, who’s who, more about recordings etc. I have been a fan since early 70’s and still see this line up when possible, funny when they play lesser know songs you know most of the audience will have no idea of what it is. To be honest the Hollies have always been just a hits concert package, never saw Rockford live but I know they did a lot more original material in their concerts as it was easier. In the end the Hollies are really a 60’s to mid 70’s band, all groups still going from that era would not be recording or sounding like they once did. A few recording these days are Cliff Richard and Paul McCartney who is sounding shocking. I feel most concert goes are there for nostalgia reasons plus most at concerts are oldies like myself, and I do get sick of hearing some of the same old songs like Sorry Suzanne, I’m alive, Yes I will. But it’s a link to my favourite group and who knows when it will end, Omg, on TV last week I heard McCartney at Glastonbury from last year trying to croak out "Hey Jude", finally making it an audience participation thing. I suppose some folks find that magical, but I wouldn't fork out extraordinate gobs of money to do all the work! But I guess breathing the same air as Macca is important too...But seriously, he should retire from performing. Everyone was so sad about Allan's voice but it's in better nick now than those who didn't take a 20-year break. I'd love to hear him sing the new stuff live. |
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Post by baz on May 26, 2023 10:38:09 GMT
Everyone was so sad about Allan's voice but it's in better nick now than those who didn't take a 20-year break. I'd love to hear him sing the new stuff live. Urgh... that hateful " SingalongaJude" routine he's been doing over the last 30 years or so was never entertaining and he could sometimes drag that out far longer than need be! McCartney's voice has been wrecked for many years and it's been painful to witness and listen to. When I listened to his "McCartney 3" album, I felt real sad as he was barely recognisable, croaking through the songs. Some diehard fans though were in denial, trying to say " ah, but his aged voice gives the songs extra poignancy" Er, no. It's just painful and embarrassing to listen to. The real reason people go to see him live is because it's an "event" - future bragging rights available to audients that they saw a Beatle sing Beatles songs live on stage. He can get away with anything... I remember his 1999 show at The Cavern and the mass excitement that generated in Liverpool as I was living there at the time. The next night when the BBC screened it, I was shocked at how awful his voice was as it deteriorated as the show progressed but nobody cared because hey, it was MACCA and he was back at THE CAVERN so he got a free pass as to whether he sounded any good or not. That was a 50 minute show and his voice was struggling to cope yet he's since been staging shows lasting 3 hours or so so little wonder his voice has been wrecked. As for Allan, I think he's holding off and avoiding the stage because it would be a strain. With his newest albums, he's been able to sing when comfortable and quite likely his vocals are composites of various takes recorded over a period of time so we can still enjoy new music from him and still recognise his voice. I recall around the time of the R+R HOF it was being said that he would be fine for about half an hour after which his voice would degrade. Unlike McCartney, Allan has integrity, knows his limits hence why I think its very unlikely we'll ever see him perform a full live show again. Guest appearances with one or two songs would be our best bet like in 2011 when he guested with Graham and Crosby at the Albert Hall for the one song and sounded great. |
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on May 27, 2023 8:15:10 GMT
Agreed. Just an appearance would make me happy. Perhaps an appearance with Nash on Jools Holland? Ah, a girl can dream...
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Post by cameron on May 27, 2023 8:57:35 GMT
Allan said in an interview in Record Collector this month that he'd love to do one last concert at the Albert Hall with "everyone I've ever sang with", which would be quite something special!
I echo Anthony's comments about the "two camps" of Hollies fans and the second camp not knowing anything other than the hits. I have witnessed first hand the dancefloor be COMPLETELY cleared when they played 'Magic Woman Touch' at a concert! They followed with 'Carrie Anne' and everyone came back to dance! The woman next to me who was amazed that someone my age knew all the words said she'd named her daughter Carrie Anne after the Hollies song, yet she'd never heard 'Magic Woman Touch'.
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on May 28, 2023 8:20:24 GMT
Allan said in an interview in Record Collector this month that he'd love to do one last concert at the Albert Hall with "everyone I've ever sang with", which would be quite something special! I echo Anthony's comments about the "two camps" of Hollies fans and the second camp not knowing anything other than the hits. I have witnessed first hand the dancefloor be COMPLETELY cleared when they played 'Magic Woman Touch' at a concert! They followed with 'Carrie Anne' and everyone came back to dance! The woman next to me who was amazed that someone my age knew all the words said she'd named her daughter Carrie Anne after the Hollies song, yet she'd never heard 'Magic Woman Touch'. *checks passport to find out when she changed her name to Anthony*   So weird that I remember "Magic Woman Touch" growing up as much as any Hollies song...but even though "I'm Alive" reached #11 nationally in Canada, I never heard it until 2003. |
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Post by ahkyahnan on Jul 13, 2023 1:32:43 GMT
Very minor piece of trivia, but Johnny Rivers announced in Episode 2 that The Hollies would appear the following week in Episode 3 hosted by Mac Davis. Of course they didn’t end up in that episode but rather Episode 4 a week later. Whether there’s a story there (scheduling issue, etc.) or just a mistake I don’t know. But watching the episodes in running order I was expecting to see them when I watched #3 and was disappointed when they weren’t on, and it made me wonder how many people felt the same way at the time back in 1973?
Mark
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Post by peterc on Nov 4, 2023 7:11:37 GMT
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Post by baz on Nov 4, 2023 14:44:39 GMT
Fascinating to see and a priceless time capsule but... Good God! That is a shocker! The hair and outfits look absolutely awful and comical to think a decade earlier they were being berated for being "long haired morons" or whatever and here in 1973, much longer hair that was then acceptable but looks teethgratingly bad. The irony is, The Hollies end up looking the most credible act... I can't even believe The Searchers succumbed to hair like that given they were always one of the neater bands of the 60's! Talk about a period where fashion and tastes became obsolete! |
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Post by peterc on Nov 4, 2023 17:54:13 GMT
Even The Bee Gees look better than most of the "British Invasion" acts! Who told Gerry Marsden that he'd look good in a tank-top?! They all SOUND good though, obviously still at the top of their game at an average age of around 30.
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Post by Stranger on Nov 5, 2023 12:18:51 GMT
I really enjoyed this. It was so interesting to see what these acts looked like performing in 1973. I was surprised to see them on an American show like this.
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Post by baz on Nov 5, 2023 12:56:37 GMT
I really enjoyed this. It was so interesting to see what these acts looked like performing in 1973. I was surprised to see them on an American show like this. I seem to recall there was a "British Invasion" revival going on that year in America with various live shows so was surprised to see it had been captured for posterity via this show. |
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on Nov 6, 2023 9:45:36 GMT
I really enjoyed this. It was so interesting to see what these acts looked like performing in 1973. I was surprised to see them on an American show like this. I seem to recall there was a "British Invasion" revival going on that year in America with various live shows so was surprised to see it had been captured for posterity via this show. There was an oldies revival in general around that time. American Graffitti was released that year and most of the acts from the 50s and early 60s were making the rounds in the Canadian hotel bar circuit I remember. Fats Domino, Chubby Checker, Roy Orbison and the Platters finally made it to Thunder Bay around then. Of course, being a bar, it was only for the over 18s (which, I suspect, is why I never saw the Hollies the only time they made it town in '77...they played our college pub and I was only 16). |
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Post by moorlock2003 on Nov 8, 2023 16:07:25 GMT
I may be in the minority here but I think Romany is one of their finest albums. Not a bad song on there. Very relaxing listen. Romany is a stunningly beautiful and exciting album. |
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