Hollies

Romany

Proof that the Hollies are More than just Allan Clarke

Review Score:

(8/10)
When Allan Clarke left the Hollies in 1972, it was reasonable to conclude that this classic U.K. band was finished. Commercially, this would have been true if Clarke had not returned to the fold eighteen months later. But creatively? Challenged by the loss of their signature singer, the Hollies hunkered down on this project to create the most thoroughly cohesive and developed album they ever made. "Romany" is a great showpiece of the arranging talents and pop instincts of this group, particularly the underrated Tony Hicks. This album also appears to be Hicks' belated answer to Graham Nash' rude and dismissive comments about the band after he joined up with Stephen Stills and David Crosby. In many places, "Romany" beats C,S & N at their own game. I do not think it is a coincidence that they chose to record "Jesus Was a Crossmaker." This song was written by Judee Sill, one of Graham Nash' proteges. And I think it is no coincidence that this song was handled by Graham Nash' replacement (Terry Sylvester). Perhaps it IS a coincidence that this is the single best moment on the album and is the track that should have been pushed for radio play. I do not share the derisive opinion of Mikael Rikfors expressed by some of the other writers here. His delivery of David Ackles' "Down River" is profound and moving. But, sure, I wish I could hear a version of it by Allan Clarke. Similarly, his performance on "Touch" is subtle and well-timed. I suggest that this album be viewed as a nice demonstration of what Bernie Calvert, Bobby Elliot, Terry Sylvester and Tony Hicks could do without Allan Clarke. Enjoy their stunning arrangements, for they are nothing short of stunning. Enjoy their sheer musicianship. They sparkle on tracks like "Magic Woman Touch" and "Won't We Feel Good" as much as anywhere in the band's career. One odd choice made by the group here was to eschew originals (except for the uninteresting "Blue in the Morning.") Perhaps their energies were just too focused on dealing with the new lead singer. They did come up with a decent collection of originals for their next [Germany-only] album with Rikfors "Out on the Road." The added tracks are worthwhile. "The Baby" is a great Boxtops-esque single. It's certainly much better than, say, "Son of a Rotten Gambler." Terry Sylvester puts in another touching performance on "Indian Girl," even if this track sounds almost like a demo.

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