The Hollies :: View topic - 6-CD Hollies Box released by EMI in May 2011

And, as for "Poison Ivy"(Take 9), it's only CD appearance is on an unofficial CD, where it was dubbed from original Australian EMI vinyl. I hope that I don't upset anyone by mentioning this, but it's a moot point anyhow, since the disc(manufactured in the 1990's) is no longer available. The disc was titled "In a Spin".

Rythym Guitar Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 486

That's an interesting point re 'Born To Run' - have you heard the backing track or been told by someone at EMI it is only a 'backing track' ? - if so by who ?

I was told by Tim Chacksfield, Project co-ordinator for EMI, a few years back that it 'only needed further instrumentation' & proper mixing / production etc (I note that it's not descibed as 'Unissued Backing track only' in any of their sessionograpies)

Tim advised me that the arrangement sounded a bit dated (it would do - 1975 !) but was otherwise it was o.k. and they WERE apparently considering using it at one point...tho' of course as with 'Marrakesh Express' if it was 'minus any vocals' (even a 'Guide vocal' by solo Clarke as the 'Hello Lady Goodbye' demo had) that would of course explain why it was not used as a 'bonus' track for the 'Another Night' re-issue.

The way The Hollies worked was that they often had at least a 'guide vocal' or sang a song through (Even private demos like 'Maureen' had full vocals & harmonies) ...tho' as with 'Marrakesh' this was of course not always the case.

- I believe 'Don't Close Your Eyes' (1984) has vocals by Clarke-Hicks-Nash but the instrumentation & final Mixing/Production etc is incomplete...Tony apparantly once said: 'we really must go back and finish that one off someday...'

Re what The Hollies Limited own.....the 1983-84 WEA Recordings with Nash were not originally owned by them, and may still not be (hence 'Stop in The Name of Love' - despite efforts made by EMI - was not on the UK 'Greatest Hits' CD in 2003)

I believe there may also be some legal issues re the second unissued in the UK & USA Rickfors album tracks on 'Out On The Road' (1973) where a few ex-members have an interest as well.

I understand that Not all the Live Recordings are owned by them either....hence say the 1966 Live in Stockholm Sweden unique song 'Reach Out (I'll Be There)' which was on the 'Long Road Home' Live Disc not being in this 'Complete' set (which we assume refers only to studio tracks besides the Lewisham Odeon show they do own).

Rythym Guitar Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 486

That was 'Mr.Heartbreaker' - Both Terry Sylvester & Mike Rickfors would have an interest in the 'Out On The Road' album....Bernie Calvert too as a performing artist.

Terry's 'Complete Works 1969-1982 ' didn't of course cover all of his recording career either...or even within that period all of his Lead vocals for the Hollies ! - the over used term 'Anthology' might have been more accurate for that set.

I have been trying to persuade EMI (UK) to put a properly remastered with Bonus tracks version of that 'Lost' Hollies album out on CD for several years now.

The few remaining unissued Rickfors era songs such as 'Heaven in Her Heart' & 'On The Summer Side of Life' are currently deemed to be 'unusable'

IF this 'Clarke, Hicks, Nash years' set were to sell well there is more chance of EMI looking at the 'post Nash era' tracks as well......

On the general point of 'Rarities' it's worth remembering when the UK 'Rarities' album came out in November 1988 it was being said that was it re the unissued material....which was clearly not the case, so there is still hope that future unissued songs might one day be released.

I will see what I can find out re 'Born To Run' .....

There's one possibility that we haven't considered: that the reason that we are not getting the entire Lewisham concert or more studio outtakes, is because that would require a 7-CD set. 6-CD jewel cases are an available product, but to release a 7-CD set would require EMI to design a different, more complex & more costly type of packaging, since there are no 7-CD jewel boxes.

EMI's ability to offer the set at a low price was dependant on offering the set in one multidisc jewel box. A 7-CD set would require individual slim cases or jewel cases in a slipcase, and this would cost EMI more.

I wonder why the people who operate this website have not made any announcement concerning the box set? You'd think they'd want to publicise the set, and give us some detailed information about the compiling and mastering of the set, the reasons behind the mono/stereo choices, and whether the vault tracks that they've omitted actually exist.

My guess is that EMI would not like to do the mistake of not including all the hits, like they did on the Long road home. Anyway the idea was that is should be "complete".

OK, OK, guys, you think they chose all tracks correctly. So be it, I won't further beat my head against the wall.

(for the record, I didn't miss a single omission of a hit song from that box set. The hits are most definitely NOT the reason I purchased that collection)

Of course, if EMI wants to e-mail to me mp3 files of the missing concert songs, I won't mind one bit.