Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits


With 47 tracks, this is a genuine 'Greatest Hits' album, and it is usually available at discounted prices, so if you want one sprig of Hollies in your collection, this is the one to pick. The current alternatives are Sony's single-disc 2002 The Hollies' Greatest Hits, and the Anthology album. The latter looks like the worst choice because it omits the earliest hits like Bus Stop and On A Carousel. That's like a Beatles collection without She Loves You or I Want to Hold Your Hand. The Sony disc has 13 tracks that comprise all the essential songs and sells at about the third of the cost of this CD new, and about half the cost when used copies are compared. The insert notes on the Sony disc are minimal. Go for that only if you are really counting pennies, otherwise opt for this one.

The insert notes incorporate the excellent idea of pictures of every lineup (a dozen) over the years, with names to let you know who's who. In every picture, from 1963 to 2003, Tony Hicks looks just the same! There are also track listings that tell you at least as much as you want to know (Jennifer Eccles reached number 2 in Malaysia).

The group is still going, albeit with no original members apart from the ageless Hicks, although Bobby Elliot is almost original. Actually, the lineup has changed less frequently than most perennial groups but for me, Alan Clarke was the essential member, and during his brief absence in the 70s and since his retirement, they are The Hollies in name only. Clarke's singing is their trademark. Graham Nash got more attention, because of his later association with Crosby, Stills & Nash (& Young). But Nash was never a great singer, in either group. Watch the DVD of The Monterey Pop Festival to hear just how bad CS&N could be.

The Hollies are light and frothy and poppy, but musically good nonetheless. They are very derivative. They are an amalgam of The Everly Brothers and the early Beatles. It is no surprise to see that many of these tracks were recorded at Abbey Road, including a George Harrison song, If I Needed Someone. Their lack of seriousness is most plainly heard in their kitsch, big-band swing version of Dylan's Blowin' In The Wind, which has to be heard to be believed. But they are great fun and very listenable. And let's not forget that He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother is one of the very greatest popular songs ever. That particular song absolutely has to be in your collection.