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The Hollies Forum Index » Words and Music » Record Collector April Edition - Review of 'Staying Power'
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tas Post subject:



Joined: 31 Jan 2004
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I recently sent famed music producer Snuff Garrett a copy of Staying Power with no explanition, he listened to it twice without knowing who it was, thought the lead singer had a great voice, songs were more than good, but the production was lacking, he thought the harmonies should have been heightened, among other things. Tom S'
PostPosted:Tue Mar 21, 2006 17:45 pm
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SpartyScott Post subject:
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tas wrote:
I recently sent famed music producer Snuff Garrett a copy of Staying Power with no explanition, he listened to it twice without knowing who it was, thought the lead singer had a great voice, songs were more than good, but the production was lacking, he thought the harmonies should have been heightened, among other things. Tom S'


Tas, how'd he put that CD into his player without knowing who the group was?

As for the production, call me old-fashioned, but for me there's STILL nothing better than the two guitar, bass, drum lineup for rock and roll -- with only SOMETIMES adding piano, harmonica, or sax (and almost never organ or synthesizers).

I'd also prefer that artists only use eight tracks or so when recording. Nowadays groups throw everything but the kitchen sink onto their songs -- I think they figure that if there are 64 tracks available, then by golly they want to put something on each and every one! I like actually hearing everything that's on record, which is impossible when there's too much content laid down.
PostPosted:Tue Mar 21, 2006 18:19 pm
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carol7cat Post subject:
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I think we are going slightly off subject here, correct me wrong but I thought we were discussing EMI's lack of promotion, not wether you like the record or not, James!
In my opinion, humble as it is I do not think by any stretch of the imagination the album is slickly produced, I would use the words stylish and sophisticated.
PostPosted:Wed Mar 22, 2006 7:29 am
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James Towill Post subject:
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carol7cat wrote:
not wether you like the record or not, James!


Did I mention that? Confused

'Slick' was used descriptively, not as an 'opinion'.

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PostPosted:Wed Mar 22, 2006 17:04 pm
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carol7cat Post subject:
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Here is my description of SP in my humble opinion.
A stylish sophisticated, well produced album which could if correctly marketed appeal to a wide range of people.
However in these days of commercial marketing of ex-strippers I won't hold my breath as most of the media would not recognise good music if it came up and bit them on the bum!!!
PostPosted:Wed Mar 22, 2006 17:25 pm
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James Towill Post subject:
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carol7cat wrote:
ex-strippers I won't hold my breath as most of the media would not recognise good music if it came up and bit them on the bum!!!


Who is the ex-stripper?

I'm reasonably certain that probably when the Hollies and co. were on the top of their game in the mid-60's there were a good few critics then who championed pop bands at the expense of other established forms of music. The music industry is always evolving.

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PostPosted:Wed Mar 22, 2006 19:48 pm
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Bonus Post subject: Poor production
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tas wrote:
I recently sent famed music producer Snuff Garrett a copy of Staying Power with no explanition, he listened to it twice without knowing who it was, thought the lead singer had a great voice, songs were more than good, but the production was lacking, he thought the harmonies should have been heightened, among other things. Tom S'


This comment is perfectly right! The production is poor. That might also be the simple reason why the cd hasīnt been promoted the way we could have expected.
PostPosted:Wed Mar 22, 2006 19:59 pm
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carol7cat Post subject:
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The alledged artist in question is Chico.
A blatant example of commercialisim in the music industry.
How you can compare The Hollies to the so called bands that have been championed at the expense of real talent surprises me!!!
Still each to their own!!!!
PostPosted:Wed Mar 22, 2006 20:56 pm
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James Towill Post subject:
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carol7cat wrote:
The alledged artist in question is Chico.
A blatant example of commercialisim in the music industry.
How you can compare The Hollies to the so called bands that have been championed at the expense of real talent surprises me!!!
Still each to their own!!!!


The Chico thing is about image and marketing, not music and it is indeed a load of crap.

I think you are not fully comprehending what I have written. I am not comparing the Hollies to the 'bands that have been championed at the expense of real talent'. I think it is unfortunate to totally disregard current-day music - there's plenty out there to keep everyone interested. 2005/06 has seen two great bands come to the fore in the shape of the Kaiser Chiefs and Hard-Fi. Both produced fresh, innovative music which I think will stand the test of time.

The Hollies are a different entity - they have been around for donkey's years and have a tremendous past to draw upon but nothing was really innovative about what was released in Staying Power - fact. I'm not going back into that. As you say Carol, each to their own!

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PostPosted:Wed Mar 22, 2006 21:28 pm
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carol7cat Post subject:
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James we agree on something
Hooray!!!!!
PostPosted:Wed Mar 22, 2006 22:27 pm
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Dennis Post subject: Re: Itīs not fun
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Bonus wrote:
Record Collector is a polite, english magazine giving the album three stars. Every swedish newspaper that has reviewed Staying power has killed it by saying that the band should have stopped 20 years ago, that itīs a "dead album", etc. Hollies are also compared to Westlife, but not as a good comparison.... The swedish counterpart to the BBC, Sveriges Radio, has put all itīs tumbs down, down....

Itīs not so fun being a Hollie-fan at the moment!

Personally I really love some of the melodies but the production and arrangements arenīt good enough (sorry Ray and Ian). Itīs too much a "computer-work" without the highpressure feeling that the boys can achive on stage. For example Suspended animation could have been a big summer-hit with a proper arrangement/production. but now it misses the tempo and a possible carribean atmosphere. The extras arenīt there..

Damn Beautiful is a wonderful melody but the production is without the nerve that could have made this song to a superhit. One song that really has worked out fine is Let love pass. Just wonderful, but not a commercial hitsong. (Can you imagine the Hollies doing an acapella-single where violins will enter after 30 seconds, then Let love pass is worth a try).

Sorry, but maybe my expectations were higher than the result. So why should EMI bother to promote the album when it, at itīs best, is given three stars?

I really hope that the boys donīt give up. We want more, īcause The Hollies are so Damned Good (and beautiful)!!

My idea: record a new single with a better verison of Damned Beautiful (not so extremely soft). Or why not a carribean version of Suspended animation with a lot of ding-ading-aling!! A reminder of Carrie Anne.....

Hard words but Iīm still a genuine Hollie-fan! I Donīt give up so easily...


VERY astute comment regarding Suspended Animation. Maybe if they'd gotten a proper producer for the album he would have brought these little touches to the project and created a sparkle to the tracks that is sadly lacking.
PostPosted:Fri Jun 30, 2006 23:02 pm
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carol7cat Post subject:
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Maybe they should have hired you????
PostPosted:Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:04 am
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Dennis Post subject:
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carol7cat wrote:
Maybe they should have hired you????


Thanks for that. I do care a lot. The Hollies are and always will be my favorite band, come what may.
PostPosted:Sat Jul 01, 2006 18:13 pm
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Bonus Post subject:
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To Carol7cat and others:

If we didnīt like, or love, the music of the Hollies we wouldnīt have even cared about the new album. The boys have done a great job with some great songs, but the production and the arrangements could have been more creative. If you open up your ears, and use your imagination, you can hear it too. Iīm sure you can, Carol-holliesfan!
PostPosted:Sat Jul 01, 2006 22:07 pm
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carol7cat Post subject:
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I am under the impression that people think this was produced in someone's garage.
Yes, Ray and Ian did some of the production, but if you read Rays piece on how the album was made, you will see that the album was tweaked to perfection at Abbey Road by arguably some of the finest technicians in the business.
I don't know what you think but I can't see EMI put something under their name that was not technically perfect, in their opinion, they have too much to loose.
If in your opinion you think the production is poor fair enough but it seems we have covered this ground so many times before.
Hopefully the next album they produce will be to your liking.
I hope you enjoy the festival and the new live set
I am sure you will!
PostPosted:Sun Jul 02, 2006 9:35 am
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