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Post by madprofessorblyth on Apr 28, 2020 1:41:36 GMT
Just uploaded within a couple of hours ago - absolutely loved it. Maybe it is just me, but I think the somber lyrics of prior experiences, perserverance through trying times and overcoming it on behalf of others is a powerful thing in these tough times - and it truly comes alive now more than ever in Allan's voice, which itself shows that he has seen a lot of up and downs in his life but that in his years searching for what comes next either personally or professionally, he has come out on the other side, with his family by his side and able to share his wonderful gift again. I might even go as far to say I prefer this to the original Hollies version...!
A big thank you to Mr. Clarke, as well as Mr. Haines, for doing this great version and the best thing so far to come out of these painful and traumatic weeks and months.
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on Apr 28, 2020 2:33:17 GMT
Wow. Just...wow.
Thank you. <3
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on Apr 28, 2020 2:43:33 GMT
Takes a great man to shut me up like that. Lol
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 8:07:27 GMT
Absolutely wonderful!!
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Post by paul71 on Apr 28, 2020 10:11:32 GMT
This is a man who is aware of his limitations vocally, he's delivered a vocal that is full of passion, experience and intelligence. Its so good to have Alan back
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Post by cameron on Apr 28, 2020 10:25:35 GMT
Absolutely fantastic! The dramatic re-working of the song and total stripping back of the arrangement compliments his vocal delivery and shifts it away from drawing comparisons with the original. I loved his re-working of 'Don't Let Me Down' for the same reason. The Hollies themselves have some great re-arrangements of their classic songs which always get received well in concert. 'On A Carousel' and 'Look Through Any Window' are almost unrecognisable from the originals, but I still enjoy hearing them with their new arrangements. So much respect for this guy who at 78 years old is still making his fans happy and still sounding great. Keep the music coming Allan!
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Post by baz on Apr 28, 2020 10:49:53 GMT
I might even go as far to say I prefer this to the original Hollies version...! This has stopped me in my tracks. Wasn't expecting this at all and rather moving to listen to. I've never liked the big hit but in this stripped down arrangement, the tone of Allan's voice due to age, limitations and experience, I find this packs a bigger emotional punch.
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Post by thejanitor on Apr 28, 2020 11:31:16 GMT
What a beautiful and moving surprise. 😊 I really love the rawness of this arrangement and yes, it hits different hearing Allan sing it now with not only his new voice, but also at the age he is and with so much life experience.
I'm guessing this is one of the Hollies rearrangements in a new key that Allan discussed on the radio interview a few months ago about possibly touring? If that is the case, I'm extremely happy he has still brought it out in some form with what's going on.
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Post by cameron on Apr 28, 2020 14:32:32 GMT
I guess this is very much like the two versions of Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now': one sweet and high by a young woman getting philosophical about life in her 20s, the second recorded by Joni in her 50s with a husky voice from years of smoking and a luscious orchestral accompaniment. The lyrics take on a new meaning and depth the second time around, and I feel like this has happened with Allan's new recording of 'He Ain't Heavy'.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 16:27:20 GMT
I guess this is very much like the two versions of Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now': one sweet and high by a young woman getting philosophical about life in her 20s, the second recorded by Joni in her 50s with a husky voice from years of smoking and a luscious orchestral accompaniment. The lyrics take on a new meaning and depth the second time around, and I feel like this has happened with Allan's new recording of 'He Ain't Heavy'. Here's another great example (and, like He Ain't Heavy, I almost prefer the remake to the original): … and another one!
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on Apr 28, 2020 18:11:07 GMT
That's gorgeous, Peter! Always loved Reflections of My Life...
And I'm pretty sure Marianne performed that when we saw her in Amsterdam during her 50th Anniversary Tour.
Amazing how songs can become totally different in meaning but just as gorgeous.
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halls
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Post by halls on Apr 28, 2020 21:41:16 GMT
Wow!I wasn't expecting to hear that today. So moving. I always think of how an aging Johnny Cash was able to give songs a different dimension and emotion despite his vocal abilities not being what they once had been. Thank you Allan ❤
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Post by JamesT on Apr 30, 2020 6:44:07 GMT
So, what gives with the release of this excellent recording?
This should really have been released with much fanfare - what kind of PR is this an example of? Bemusing.
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Post by Tony Wilkinson on Apr 30, 2020 7:42:12 GMT
So, what gives with the release of this excellent recording? This should really have been released with much fanfare - what kind of PR is this an example of? Bemusing. I think it just shows that he is doing this only for his own enjoyment and ours, undemanding of any financial rewards, this quality of music is unappreciated and has no affect on the general music buying public, it's in a rare class of it's own and we should at least be happy that we are aware and have access to it, it is a brilliant recording though.....
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Post by cameron on Apr 30, 2020 11:25:10 GMT
So, what gives with the release of this excellent recording? This should really have been released with much fanfare - what kind of PR is this an example of? Bemusing. Anything Hollies related getting good PR?! Next joke...
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on Apr 30, 2020 17:49:01 GMT
Not from a lack of trying on mine and The Dude's part at least...We tweeted about it, but no activity on Allan's official Twitter feed.
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Post by JamesT on Apr 30, 2020 20:11:36 GMT
I'd suggest he has words with his PR agents!
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Post by anthony on May 1, 2020 1:41:07 GMT
to be honest first listen to the new recording of heavy I wasn't keen, but it has grown on me. To say its better that the original 1969 recording well they are both really different. Allan was so much younger and his voice was more powerful in 1969, It's great that Allan is back doing what he loves. Thinking it's gonna be a big hit and he needs a PR man, well that's not gonna happen. When did we last see an ageing Rock star make the charts.
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on May 1, 2020 2:17:45 GMT
I don't even think in terms of "charts" in the traditional sense anymore, Anthony. They aren't really all that relevant. I guess I just hope it goes viral. Just seems to be a perfect song and performance for our times.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2020 6:52:58 GMT
When did we last see an ageing Rock star make the charts. The current UK No. 1 is by someone who is a hundred years old (and it's his first hit!).
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Post by JamesT on May 1, 2020 6:54:25 GMT
I wasn't suggesting PR was needed to make it a 'hit' or anything like that - just some form of explanation, comment, whatever!
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Post by cameron on May 1, 2020 9:36:13 GMT
The absolute rule of thumb for any new Hollies release is a quiet announcement on their Facebook page about a month or two before it gets released, an update on their website (which I doubt most people check regularly) and one, maybe two radio/TV promotions from Tony and Bobby but that's it. Allan had a good PR run up to 'Resurgence' and by all accounts it's sold very well. Well enough for BMG to ask for a second album. So PR works. I'm just disappointed that Allan has appointed a professional PR team and they've done absolutely nothing for him so far other than get him on obscure local BBC radio shows for a 10 minute chat here, 15 minute chat there. His social media presence was far better before, presumably run by a member of his family. His behind the scenes videos were great.
It's still an enormous contrast from the norm though. Any of the Hollies contemporaries like the Kinks, Small Faces, Who, Rolling Stones etc... get HUGE PR publicity when there's a new release coming. Social media teases on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter... previews on YouTube with new footage/graphics, features in the main music magazine press (who are often desperate to fill their pages), interviews in newspapers, magazines, podcasts etc... The PR for the Kinks 'Village Green' boxset was so much that the album went Gold in the US and allegedly the boxset has completely sold out worldwide. Then again, it's easy to promote a product when it's as thorough and absolutely superb as that boxset is. The point is, the PR machine works, and the Hollies are missing out.
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albatros
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Post by albatros on May 1, 2020 10:30:36 GMT
The new Allan Clarke version - thanks for it just great and very emotional. But: for my taste, the version of the HOLLIES from 1969 is simply the measure of all things. The song has been covered so many times - but not a single one matches the Hollies version. And the Hollies version from 1969 is listed in the TOP 10 of all times. In an older edition, the song was even number 1. There will be a reason for that. The tastes are different, as I said, I like the original version much better. Nevertheless, thanks to ALLAN for this excellent interpretation.
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Post by cameron on May 1, 2020 11:55:07 GMT
It just gets better, he's done an actual music video for it!
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albatros
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Post by albatros on May 1, 2020 12:18:02 GMT
Yes Cameron - thanks for this nice clip. Yes, it`s a great version and with the singing Clarke on it its much betttttter.
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