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Post by jimmy19029 on Nov 19, 2021 18:14:52 GMT
I have a few more chapters to go in my reading, but I already have to say, MALC HAS DONE IT AGAIN! Just like he did with The Association and Bread, here is the one stop shop to go to for all things Hollies! I have bought books about my favorite groups over the years and some...I can tell....were quick thrown together affairs and others had the authors digging a bit more for research. But Malc is the type of writer you wish would write books about EVERY musical act I love since he's not only a rabid fan but just digs away exhaustively, leaving no stone unturned! WELL DONE, MALCOLM! I APPLAUD YOU!
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Post by Malc on Nov 20, 2021 18:41:41 GMT
I have a few more chapters to go in my reading, but I already have to say, MALC HAS DONE IT AGAIN! Just like he did with The Association and Bread, here is the one stop shop to go to for all things Hollies! I have bought books about my favorite groups over the years and some...I can tell....were quick thrown together affairs and others had the authors digging a bit more for research. But Malc is the type of writer you wish would write books about EVERY musical act I love since he's not only a rabid fan but just digs away exhaustively, leaving no stone unturned! WELL DONE, MALCOLM! I APPLAUD YOU! I thank ye kindly and muchly good sir ! I appreciate the support over the trio of books to date...
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Post by nathan on Jan 29, 2022 7:35:22 GMT
I am a bit late to the party, would like to buy a spare copy of this marvellous book if anyone has it.... any inquiries to rollings@yandex.ru
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on Jan 29, 2022 13:39:11 GMT
I am a bit late to the party, would like to buy a spare copy of this marvellous book if anyone has it.... any inquiries to rollings@yandex.ru I think Malc mentioned on his Facebook page that they're all sold out...for now...
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Post by Malc on Jan 30, 2022 16:18:58 GMT
Indeed they are, which puts my mind at ease a bit more (having self-financed every damn page and ink dot of it) - but I am seriously looking at a second run now - just awaiting the financial implications to be sorted. Any updates can be found over at www.dojotonepublications.com as and when...
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Post by eric on Feb 2, 2022 3:43:05 GMT
This is the first comprehensive telling of The Hollies story that I have read after a lifetime of waiting for such a book to be written. It is obvious to me that Malcolm Searles, the author, put a massive effort into researching the band. I admire Malcolm’s commitment and resilience in finalising the book, which covers many unsuccessful years, recording wise, after 1974.
Even though there is so much information to digest in the book, it is not a dry book to read; it was a joy to read!
One comes away from reading the book asking once again why the impeccable judgement in choosing high quality songs deserted the band after “The Air That I Breathe”. Repeatedly songs and albums went nowhere as did solo efforts and side projects with other artists. Did the band ever consider sourcing material from the likes of Terry Britten, Graham Goble and, dare I say it, the Brothers Gibb, who were all genuine Hollies fans?
Full marks to the band though for always giving it their best in the studio and on stage. They gave it their all to make average songs (post 1974) sound good and to always put on an entertaining show.
Through this book, and the Elevated Observations forum, I have learnt so much about the band. I am now happy to just listen to their music that has given me a lifetime of pleasure (from 1965 onwards) without worrying about the “ins and outs” of the band.
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Post by Malc on Feb 2, 2022 7:52:45 GMT
"Even though there is so much information to digest in the book, it is not a dry book to read; it was a joy to read!"
Thank you so much...!
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Post by ransford on Feb 2, 2022 10:15:17 GMT
Yes, totally agree!!! A fantastic research from Malcolm and a must for every Hollies-fan. So impressing!! Many thanks to Malcolm!
(I've only found one little mistake, and it doesn't matter. Mike Watson wasn't frontman in the Swedish group The LeeKings. He was important, but the frontman was Lenne Broberg. But who cares?))
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Post by Malc on Feb 2, 2022 19:51:28 GMT
(I've only found one little mistake, and it doesn't matter. Mike Watson wasn't frontman in the Swedish group The LeeKings. He was important, but the frontman was Lenne Broberg. But who cares?)) Noted !! Hahaha... and thank you
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Post by gee on Feb 3, 2022 0:15:31 GMT
Re Eric's question about what went wrong after 'The Air That I Breathe'....
Ron Richards urged them to go with 'Son Of A Rotten Gambler' which had done well in Canada - but in truth while a nice song and fine group performance (probably an album track) after 'Air' the fact was it was a very lacklustre anti climactic single that 'plodded along' building up quite slowly and was just not that distinctive as a follow up ballad...and unsurprisingly failed to grab wider public attention - Tony Blackburn dissed it after playing it on Radio One !
next up was another slow number Allan's 'I'm Down' which did well down under and DJ John Peel loved it...but such a deep serious themed melodramatic slow number again despite a strong group performance was never likely to chart at home or stateside
those TWO key singles flops cost the band any kind of proper singles chart return at home....thereafter they veered from slow ballads to mock reggae, mock disco back to slow ballads as my guess was Tony Hicks was calling the tune forever hoping for another 'Heavy' / 'Air' ballad success and Polydor began losing interest
some will disagree but if they had sharpened the mix of the Allan Clarke sung Tony's 'Out On The Road' brought up the backup vocals and put that out after 'Air' going for a simpler more danceable uptempo single keeping it more direct in complete contrast to the drama of 'Air' (c/w a new song 'Son of A Rotten Gambler') ...then next single gone with Allan's romantic more direct 'Don't Let Me Down' (c/w another new song 'Layin To The Music') followed by a faster tempo single mix of 'Time Machine Jive' (c/w 'Give Me Time') followed then by 'Sandy' (c/w 'Hello Lady Goodbye') they might just have got a couple more UK chart hits even more regular UK radio airplay
later had they gone for the carefree 'Sweet Country Calling' (c/w a completed 'Samuel') then a romantic number 'There's Always Goodbye' (highlighting the guitar intro more) c/w 'Crocodile Woman' with next single an all out rocker '48 Hour Parole'(c/w 'C'mon') followed by the brisker 'Draggin My Heels' (which charted in Canada contemporary chart as a 12 inch single ) c/w 'Corrine' followed by maybe 'Burn Out'(c/w 'Clown Service') then 'Amnesty'/ 'Crossfire' (as a double A side)...
next maybe 'It's In Every One of Us' (?) c/w 'Caracas' onto 'That'll Be The Day' (in a style Status Quo later copied for their version of 'The Wanderer' which charted in the UK c/w 'Think it Over' & 'Peggy Sue' - not that damn silly 'Reprise' nonsense) ...
followed later in 1980 first by 'If The Lights Go Out'...then 'Soldier's Song' and later 'Laughter Turns To Tears'
putting a few new songs on the 'B' sides would have made these singles of more interest to Hollies collectors / completists too
they might have got at least a few more UK chart hits and more UK radio airplay...at least sounded livelier and more cheerful !
sombre mega serious melodramatic slow ballad after ballad then a obvious mock reggae cash in or a slow undanceable disco frilled pop item with naff lyrics (that made Bernie Calvert cringe) just made many of the public who WOULD have enjoyed their music get bored and not bother to listen anymore...
Had the group 'politics' not been so rigid they could and should have ventured far more into the rockier songs Allan Clarke was writing whilst Terry Sylvester should have been given more credit for his ideas re band musical direction...and a more contemporary outside producer should have been brought in...
just an idea...
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Post by Mevrouw Bee on Feb 3, 2022 14:35:26 GMT
Re Eric's question about what went wrong after 'The Air That I Breathe'.... Ron Richards urged them to go with 'Son Of A Rotten Gambler' which had done well in Canada - but in truth while a nice song and fine group performance (probably an album track) after 'Air' the fact was it was a very lacklustre anti climactic single that 'plodded along' building up quite slowly and was just not that distinctive as a follow up ballad...and unsurprisingly failed to grab wider public attention - Tony Blackburn dissed it after playing it on Radio One ! Agree with pretty much all you say. That being said, Tony Blackburn's musical tastes. I'll just leave it at that.
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