Which new Hollies set is best?

[Chris Desjardin]

I was in Media Play the other day and noticed 2 new Hollies compilations. There was the Epic/Legacy "Expanded, Newly Remastered" version of the Hollies' Greatest Hits. There was also a new Classic Masters set, 24 bit digitally remastered set from Capitol. Does anyone have either of these, and how does it sound? Also, does anyone know if these are the original mixes, or the remixes from the early 1990's 3 CD set?

[Dave B]

Chris, This topic has come up several times. Here is a recent thread with some input from Steve. http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2410&highlight=hollies I recently ordered the 20 Greatest Hits and it's very good. All the hits. I hope this helps.

[Sckott]

Spooky how we get a Hollies query in this group approximately every 3 weeks! Yes, the 20 Golden Greats on EMI is very good. The EPIC remastered "Original Master Tapes" is good too, IMHO, and neato for stories told in the booklet and the count ins to "Carrie Anne" and "Eloise"....etc...

[Gary]

Spooky? Maybe.............

On one of the old Hollies threads, someone mentioned a mono GH LP that was supposed to be great! Then someone said that they had the reissue (mono, of course).

Is the reissue mono LP good? Acceptable? Great? Is there a better alternative somewhere - on CD? Or should I keep hunting for mono LPs......??

[Steve Hoffman]

If you wait to find a mono Hollies GH LP on Parlophone, you will be waiting forever. I've never seen one.

The mono mix of "I Can't Let Go" rules! It's on a CD called "The Hollies EP's" or something like that.

Other than that, the stereo mixes (as crude as they are) are the best there is at this time.

[Chris Desjardin]

Thanks for all the input, but I don't believe the previous posts have any info on the 2 releases I listed in my post. The remastered Epic disc was only released yesterday (3/26), and I believe the Classic Masters one was recent as well. I am looking for the best sound, but I am too cheap to buy both only to find out they sound like #*!@. The Epic release says it is produced by Bob Irwin and mastered by Vic Anesini. I forgot to look if the Capitol disc gave any credits. I just remembered it said it was 24 bit remastered. The 2 sets had very similar track listings. I knew it was a long shot that anyone would have these yet, but I figured it was worth a try. Has anyone heard either one?

[Kayaker]

Here is what All Music says about the new Capitol CD:

The packaging announces "24 Bit Digitally Remastered" on the
spine, thus getting the Hollies out in 24-bit mastering ahead of
the Beatles. And the sound is the raison d'tre and the most
impressive part of this 12-song collection: nice, close, punchy
rhythm instruments (the bass on "Long Dark Road" is especially
impressive) and harmonies so rich that they overpower much of
the playing and the song itself. There aren't any surprises here
for content, just a survey of the group's highlights from their
most successful U.S. singles, dating from "Just One Look" in
May of 1964 to "The Air That I Breathe" a decade later. One
sort of wishes that the makers had found room for "I Can't Let
Go," "King Midas in Reverse," and "Dear Eloise," and perhaps "Tell Me to My Face" (which never
charted here, but is well-known enough to justify the inclusion, especially as this isn't a "greatest hits"
collection per se), but as far as it goes this mid-priced disc is decent, and the audio quality is
excellent, and largely supplants Epic's Hollies Greatest Hits. -- Bruce Eder


Why do we let these companies get away with 39 minute compilation CD's? I think the new Epic release is stingy too - 13 songs.

I am right there with you on being cheap.

[Chris Desjardin]

Yeah, the Epic release has a big yellow sticker on the front that says it is newly remastered and expanded. Expanded? Yeah, one extra song. Big deal! There is plenty of room for more.