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Post by JamesT on Aug 3, 2015 18:58:01 GMT
Three different line ups, three different decades. Any thoughts?
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Post by cameron on Aug 4, 2015 10:40:20 GMT
If you ignore the bad recording of 'Live Hits', the Hollies' performance is rather flawless. It's nice that they've rethought some of their arrangements to freshen up old hits like 'Just One Look' and 'Bus Stop' but remained quite faithful to their version. I think the harmonies are sublime and Bobby and Bernie really work well together. The recording lets it down though, particularly the lack of compression as you can't really hear any of the audience interactions between the songs.
'Reunion' isn't quite the show that I was expecting. Nash isn't as prominent as he once was. But it's a great show nonetheless and the audience really dig the band which really adds to the ambience. I think their versions of 'Wasted On The Way' and 'Teach Your Children' are better than the CSN versions! Too many synths though and Tony's guitar is pushed right to the back and Bobby has toned down his drumming style dramatically.
I'm not the worlds biggest fan of the current line up and 'Live Hits, We've Got The Tunes' cemented that stance for me. The hits borderline on being outright cheesy thanks to Peter Howarth's overly polished delivery of them. Some nice moments like Tony's solo spot of 'Dolphin Days' but his vocal mic seems to have a problem with it. The whole recording seems like they were recorded in a box and cutting out the chat to squeeze in the full set with just one song after the other makes it a bit a a tenuous listen - much like the 'Radio Fun' CD.
All in all, I'd say 'Live Hits' is the best official live album that accurately represents the band. But my vote for the best live recordings goes to the Stockholm 1966 concert, Lewisham Odeon 1968 and Australia, 1970. The Holllies have that energy and dynamic that they were so famous for. Even 'Live Hits' sounds a bit over-rehearsed and polished. Back in the 60's and early 70's, they were still experimenting and had a bit of an edge to them live that was lost in subsequent years.
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