Search - Hollies :: Archive Alive

A nice surprise

11/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Hollies were an up-and-down band who nevertheless penned and sang a lot of great songs. In 1983, the original lineup featuring Graham Nash did a one-time-only album and tour throughout the U.S.. The reunion album was nothing special, but this disc captures the band at a concert in Ohio, and they're in truly great form. Naturally, the emphasis is on the "hits," so "Bus Stop," "I Can't Let Go, "Carrie-Ann," "Look Through Any Window" and other tunes from the Nash era are brought out. When Nash and lead singer Allan Clarke go into their close harmonies, the years seem to vanish and it's like you've heard them on your AM pocket radio all your life. The real treats, though, are the surprises. A version of "King Midas In Reverse" with just three voices and an acoustic guitar is a poignant recasting that works really well. Two of Nash's CSN-era tunes are done here; "Teach Your Children" is good, if unremarkable," but The Hollies give "Wasted On The Way" a vibrancy that Crosby, Stills and Nash never managed. Finally, there's Nash joining the others singing Hollies songs that he wasn't there for the first time around. His presence on "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" helps to give Clarke's lead voice extra power in a manner that is thrilling to hear; ditto with "The Air That I Breathe." If you ever liked the original band, consider this to be a valentine from an old forgotten friend. Good job!"

Bittersweet reunion

Randall E. Adams | Los Angeles, CA United States | 01/23/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This disc memorializes the quixotic U.S.A. tour of the briefly reunited original Hollies after the exit of longtime members Bernie Calvert & Terry Sylvester. Unfortunately, too many sidemen are used, leaving little of the recognizable Hollies instrumental sound. Clarke, Hicks & Nash sound wonderful together, particularly on the group of songs in the middle of the disc performed with sparse backing. How unnecessary Nash's exit seems now, when you hear the sparkling blend of his voice and Allan Clarke's on the C,S & N numbers! Every Nash-written C,S & N classic would have been much better by the Hollies. However, this disc is really only for serious Hollies fans, as the live versions of the hits are too slick (again, too many sidemen) and the three harmony voices could not possibly meld together as well as in earlier years due to insufficient time spent together. If you've heard the 1968 recording of the band playing "The Times They Are a-Changing" on stage, you will find nothing here to compare."

The Hollies - 'Archive Alive' (Archive Records)

Mike Reed | USA | 02/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"And just after I thought I had seen all them cool oldie bands within the past umpteen years,it's a top notch reunion of The Hollies.All the original members are here,Graham Nash,Tony Hicks,Allan Clarke on guitar/harmonica and Bobby Elliott on drums.The production on this fifteen track CD couldn't be better.All the favorites are included,like "Bus Stop",the always beautiful "On A Carousel","Look Thru Any Window","Stop,Stop,Stop" and "Carrie Anne".There are even a couple of Crosby,Stills,Nash&Young cuts on here,"Teach Your Children" and "Soldier's Song".I totally forgot about "He Ain't Heavy,He's My Brother".The REAL show-stopper is the amazing ten-minute extended version of "Long Cool Woman",I mean thing tune ROCKS!Cannot prise this disc enough."