Hollies - Hollies Sing Dylan

This is the album that drove Graham Nash out of the band. Nearly continually reviled as blasphemous, "Hollies Sing Dylan" is actually one of the most persuasive showcases of the band's interpretive talent. Twelve mostly familiar Dylan tunes are given the full Hollies transformation. Their version of "This Wheel's On Fire" stands confidently among any of the competing versions (such as by the Byrds). "The Times They Are A-Changin'" is equally powerful and anthemic. Allan Clarke expands his budding talents as balladeer in a moving version of "Just Like a Woman" and puts in a jaw-dropping performance on "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight"–there will never be another singer like him. Tony Hicks gives his first virtuoso acoustic guitar solo on "Quit Your Lowdown Ways." Bobby Elliott's drumming is more prominent and effective than ever before. The Clarke/Hicks/Sylvester vocal blend is still a little rough in places but already hinting of the seamless sound soon to come. Gripes? In most places the additional orchestration is unnecessary and detracts from the material. The worst example is "My Back Pages" which starts with a dramatic drums and organ accompaniment to Allan Clarke's trenchant solo delivery, only to be trivialized by an invasion of fruity reed and woodwind instruments