Eagle Rock Entertainment’s Hollies DVD is a superb documentary on an essential rock group that doesn’t get the airplay it deserves. Almost fifty years after its debut this substantial recording artist is explored in song and interview footage, and done so in a compelling and classy way. The extensive twelve page liner notes (by Ben Fong-Torres) are a rarity these days, many companies opting to have the listener/viewer find the information on the web.
Graham Nash talks about Doris Troy’s magnificent “Just One Look” and why that song was important to him as well as his feelings on the style the group was popular for, with great insight into “King Midas In Reverse” and the impact that direction had on the band. The Hollies journey, from Nash’s departure – when he left for greener fields – Crosby Stills & Nash – and the arrival of Swinging Blue Jeans’ Terry Sylvester all documented here in a fashion that makes repeated spins a complete joy.
Even if you’re not a hardcore fan of British Pop or the Hollies themselves, the package is so well put together and so smartly crafted with photo collages on the inside back cover as well as the center of the liner note / scrap booklet. The four producers from Reelin’ In The Years Productions – David Peck, Phillip Galloway, Tom Gulotta and Rob Bowman also give their perspective. Just a dynamite package that makes me want to look into their Dusty Springfield, Hermans Hermits and Small Faces DVDs as well.
Joe Viglione is the Chief Film Critic at TMRZoo.com. He was a film critic for Al Aronowitz’s The Blacklisted Journal, has written thousands of reviews and biographies for AllMovie.com, Allmusic.com and produces and hosts Visual Radio. Visual Radio is a fifteen year old variety show on cable TV which has interviewed John Lennon’s Uncle Charlie, Margaret Cho, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Felix Cavaliere, Marty Balin, Bill Press and hundreds of other personalities.
