The Hollies began back in the infancy of Rock and Roll, back when many of us were still young ones, or, perhaps, not even born at all…yet. Started by Allan Clarke, and Graham Nash, and rounded out with Tony Hicks, Eric Haydock, and Don Rathbone (This lineup would shake and change throughout the life of The Hollies.). The band began producing great music back in the early ’60s, with “Ain’t That Just Like Me” climbing the UK charts as a beloved single.
Before long, the rest of the world, even the finicky US, would become fans of the English band. Over time, The Hollies, in its several incarnations (Graham Nash left in 1968), would produce a series of important hits that are solid and loved to this day. (Would you believe that The Hollies rejected “Marrakesh Express”, the song that would enter the charts for Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1969?) Those hits, which include “Carrie Anne”, “Just One Look”, “On A Carousel”, “Bus Stop”, “Stop! Stop! Stop!”, “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)”, “The Air That I Breathe”, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”, and a host of others too numerous to mention.
On October 21, Rhino Records will release a three-disc Box called 50 At Fifty, celebrating the band’s remarkable and notable career. With plenty of songs to collect, this box will deliver a hefty look back with songs that include their big hits, some live tracks, a few notable covers, and a newly recorded song (“Skylarks”). I have hope (and beliefe) that the tracks have been remastered.
Just listening to these songs (as I write) gives me nostalgic chills. I’m anxious for this reasonably priced Box (MSRP – $29.98, and likely acquired cheaper).
50 AT FIFTY
Track Listing
Disc One:
1. “(Ain’t That) Just Like Me”
2. “Searchin'”
3. “Stay”
4. “Just One Look”
5. “Here I Go Again”
6. “We’re Through”
7. “Yes I Will”
8. “I’m Alive”
9. “Look Through Any Window”
10. “If I Needed Someone”
11. “I Can’t Let Go”
12. “Bus Stop”
13. “Pay You Back With Interest”
14. “Stop! Stop! Stop!”
15. “On A Carousel”
16. “Carrie Anne”
17. “King Midas In Reverse”
18. “Jennifer Eccles”
19. “Listen To Me”
20. “Sorry Suzanne”
Disc Two:
1. “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”
2. “I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top”
3. “Gasoline Alley Bred”
4. “Hey Willy”
5. “The Baby”
6. “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)”
7. “Magic Woman Touch”
8. “The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGhee”
9. “The Air That I Breathe”
10. “Lonely Hobo Lullaby”
11. “4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy)”
12. “I’m Down”
13. “There’s Always Goodbye”
14. “Boulder To Birmingham”
15. “Too Young To Be Married” (Live)
16. “Daddy Don’t Mind”
Disc Three:
1. “Hello To Romance”
2. “Amnesty”
3. “Soldiers Song”
4. “Heartbeat”
5. “If The Lights Go Out” (First version)
6. “Take My Love And Run” (First version)
7. “Stop In The Name Of Love”
8. “Let Her Go Down”
9. “Too Many Hearts Get Broken”
10. “Laughter Turns To Tears”
11. “So Damn Beautiful”
12. “On A Carousel” (Live)
13. “Then, Now Always (Dolphin Days)” (Live)
14. “Skylarks” (New 2014 Recording)