On a Carousel 1963-1974: The Ultimate Hollies

This group has really lasted over the years. I used to think that they were too metallic-sounding (not in the sense of heavy metal, just the timbre of their voices) but these songs hold up really well.

The Hollies' vocal and instrumental skills rivalled those of their more successful label mates, The Beatles. They just couldn't match The Beatles as songwriters, and had to rely primarily on outside material. Even so, they were masters of radio-friendly pop-rock, and had more hit singles than even The Beatles.This disc has all 25 songs that charted in the USA and/or UK on singles from 1963 through 1974, and it's as good a "greatest hits" album as any band has had. Hearing these songs all together in one package points up just how good this band could be. Even the lesser songs are catchy and well-performed, but the stretch from "Look Through Any Window" (fall 1965) through "Jennifer Eccles" (fall 1968) is as good as anything on the radio during that time save The Beatles themselves.One big plus for this disc is that the early hits are here in mono instead of fake stereo. If you're a fan of British Invasion rock with great vocals (Allan Clarke was one of '60s rock's best voices), tight harmonies, and deceptively good guitar and drum work (Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliot remain underrated), this disc is a must.

Once again, Raven does it better.In '02, Epic re-released the highest selling Hollies compendium, "Greatest Hits", expanded and with some new mastering.However, that disc does not hold a candle to this release. The new clarity in these remasters blows away not only the Epic disc, but any other Hollies CD I've ever heard.And the original dynamic range of the recordings has also been kept intact, which is quickly becoming a rarity in these mastered-for-iPod days.Three cheers for Raven!

I am still trying to find a good quality audio recording in the Hollies catalog. This is my second CD and although it is better than their greatest hits cd, it is still poor quality.

I'm very happy with this purchase. Very hard to find CD. Its not in print anymore. I have searched for this CD for over a year. I'm so happy that I found it to purchase at a reasonable price!!

FINALLY!!! I have always loved the Hollies and have a few of their CDs, but the sound quality was never up to today's standards of remastered CDs. This one is!! I just received it yesterday and have played it at least 5 times already....loud. So great to hear the voices and instrumentals so clear and clean and vibrant. If you loved the Hollies, this is the CD to own!

Very poor quality, like you were listening to it on a transister radio. I definitely don't like it, and don't even listen to it because of that.

Great gift for hubby

The Hollies are probably the most underrated British group of the 1960's. Only The Beatles had more hits in the 1960's. Few British bands have achieved more than the 18 top ten hits they achieved in their chart career. They are not as revered amongst critics and modern musicians as the likes of The Who, The Kinks and Small Faces because they didn't write most of their hits.This Australian compilation brings together all 21 of their top 20 in the UK from 1963-1974 plus four other hits from the USA. Happily, the hits are listed in order which shows how the band develops from early teen pop, psychedelia, ballads and rock.Even 40+ years on most of these tracks sound fantastic. The distinctive harmonic blend with Graham Nash's high harmony has been bettered by very few bands over the years.Nash left the band in 1968 but appears on 18 of the tracks here. The hits continued without him with two of their biggest and most memorable hits recorded after his departure-"He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother"(a number three hit in 1969 and number one in 1988) and "The Air That I Breathe".Also included is the 1972 US smash hit "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" which is very reminiscent of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Two other minor hits also in a rock vein of this period- "Hey Willy" + "Crazy Sam McGhee" are equally as good but just missed the top 20 so are not included. Sadly, it was a style that the group chose not to pursue.The quality of this cd amazes me. The only downside are the US only hits "Dear Eloise" and "Pay you back with interest" which are mediocre filler.The Hollies still tour today but with only Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott left from the sixties. Singer Allan Clarke retired a few years ago.If you are way too young to remember these hits first time around like me and like The Beach Boys and The Byrds i'm pretty sure you'll love this.

Truly "The Ultimate Hollies". During the Vancouver part of my life, "Bus Stop" went through my head a lot. So many of these songs reflect real life, or so I thought. Was astonished to recall so many lyrics so completely. Love it. Still.