The Hollies announce first full USA tour in 18 years

A pretty cool way to usher in the week with the news that legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Hollies are set to tour the U.S. for the first time in ages...

LEGENDARY UK HIT MAKERS AND ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES THE HOLLIES ANNOUNCE FIRST FULL USA TOUR IN 18 YEARS STARTING JULY 8TH 2020

The legendary UK band and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Hollies, whose hits include "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother," "The Air That I Breathe," "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)," "Bus Stop,""Carrie-Anne" and "Sorry Suzanne," will be bringing its 'The Road Is Long Tour' to the USA in 2020. The tour will be the band's first full USA tour in 18 years.

 

Alongside The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, The Hollies are one of the UK's most celebrated bands from the 1960s British Invasion era. The band haven't stopped touring since they formed in 1962 and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 by Steve Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band.

 

At the heart of The Hollies are the integral, original members - powerhouse drummer Bobby Elliott and singer, songwriter and lead guitarist Tony Hicks. Their soaring, distinctive harmonies, brilliantly crafted songs, and cultivated musicianship, coupled with The Hollies' extensive back catalogue of memorable tunes, have ensured the longevity of one Britain's greatest Pop/Rock bands whose music remains fresh, dynamic and timeless.

 

"We are very excited to bring our 'The Road Is Long' tour to the USA and play for all the fans who have waited so long to see us back in America. The show will include all of our greatest hits and we cannot wait to get back on the road Stateside," Bobby Elliott, The Hollies' drummer.

"We have very fond memories of our tours in the US and how much the country means to us as a band. We look forward to seeing you all very soon," guitarist and singer of The Hollies, Tony Hicks.

 

Artist pre-sale and VIP Packages are available starting March 3rd with public on sale starting on Friday, March 6th at 10 a.m. local time. Ticket and VIP information for all shows can be found at: http://www.hollies.co.uk/

 

Tour Dates:

July 8 - Saratoga, CA - The Mountain Winery*

July 10 - Los Angeles, CA - Saban Theater

July 11 - Las Vegas, NV - The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

July 12 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre

July 14 - San Antonio, TX - The Tobin Center - HEB Hall

July 15 - Irving, TX - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

July 16 - Austin, TX - The Paramount Theatre

July 18 - Chicago, IL - The Chicago Theatre

July 19 - Huber Heights, OH - Rose Music Center at The Heights

July 21 - Washington, D.C. - Kennedy Center Concert Hall

July 23 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Center for the Arts

July 24 - Morristown, NJ - Mayo Performing Arts Center

July 25 - Mashantucket, CT - The Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino

July 26 - Boston, MA - The Wilbur

*Tickets and VIP Packages available at a later date

 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheHolliesOfficial

Instagram: @holliesofficial

Twitter: @holliesofficial

Website: www.hollies.co.uk

Graham Nash gets reflective in Anaheim

My review of Graham Nash's Wednesday night, Nov. 6, 2013 concert was originally published on The Orange County Register site on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. A special "thank you" to Kelly A. Swift for the use of her wonderful images taken at the concert.

His solo show was as insightful about classics as it was outspoken about current issues.

Few musicians tour in support of a tell-all autobiography. But then few artists are Graham Nash.

Next at City National Grove of Anaheim:The Dan Band, Nov. 9, $20; Kreator with Overkill and Warbringer, Nov. 15, $27.50; Which One's Pink? with Queen Nation, Nov. 22, $23.50; Finntroll with Blackguard and Metsatoll, Nov. 24, $25; the Fab Four, Nov. 29, $30-$37.50

Call: 714-712-2700

Online: citynationalgroveofanaheim.com,ticketmaster.com

The co-founder of the popular British Invasion group the Hollies and longtime member of Crosby, Stills & Nash gave a rare solo performance Wednesday night at City National Grove of Anaheim, bolstered only by two top-tier sidemen. The good news for local fans of the 71-year-old singer-guitarist is how much stronger he sounded on his own compared to recent outings alongside Stephen Stills and David Crosby.

I was fairly disappointed with the legendary trio's headlining appearance at Doheny Blues Festival in May 2010, mostly because of ragged harmonies and a performance that felt dialed-in. Such was not the case with Nash's two-hour-plus turn in Anaheim. The performance was powerful, the arrangements memorable, and there was the added thrill of listening to Nash discuss many of his best-known classics and their genesis in rich detail.

The recent publication of Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll Life provides a backdrop for him to ponder his life and the songs that have enriched and chronicled it since he launched the Hollies with Allan Clarke more than 50 years ago. It didn't hurt that his two supporting players, keyboardist James Raymond and guitarist Shane Fontayne, were as tuned in to the intimate proceedings as their two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame leader.

Nash, his voice in fine form, opened with one of the ’60s most enduring numbers, "Bus Stop," reworked here in more folk fashion. Thankfully, the original’s distinctive harmonies were replicated, Nash's light tenor joined by the voices of his hired guns. Another Hollies classic, "King Midas in Reverse," was similarly – and powerfully – reproduced early in the set.

Two dozen songs were performed over the course of the two-part program, some of them freshly penned. Introducing one written for the late Levon Helm, the drummer and co-vocalist for the Band who died in April 2012, Nash explained what happens when a tune begins to surface: "They torture me if I don't get them out." That particular piece, "Back Home," was a beautiful Americana folk-rocker that wrapped with an effortless glide into "The Weight."

Another new song, "Exit Zero," was inspired by a drive Nash took through Colorado, during which he noticed expansive oil fields with towers burning away wasting untold amounts of energy. The bluesy rocker that resulted was greeted with cheers here from a crowd pleased to see Nash still using his music to reflect the world as he sees it.

Yet another freshly formed gem, "Burning for the Buddah," allowed him to unleash his artistic wrath on Tibet's treatment at the hands of China. He noted the suffering of the region’s monks: 128 have burned themselves in the past year, yet that has received little media coverage. "Burning" was one of the biggest sonic surprises of the night, playing out like a symphonic Peter Gabriel piece.

Of course, favorites such as "Our House" and "Wind on the Water" (he played piano on those) and "Just a Song Before I Go" were greeted like old friends by an audience that grew excited whenever enough details in spoken intros revealed what song was coming. "Wind on the Water" was especially potent, its ambitious arrangement delivered with grace by the three musicians.

Nash's encore included a sterling take on the Beatles' "Blackbird" and a spirited audience sing-along on one of his most-loved staples, the uplifting anthem "Teach Your Children."

My Top Music DVDS of 2011

I recently posted my top albums of 2011. And as tough as it was to rank my top 10 albums and worthy honorable mentions for the year, it proved to be almost as tough to rank my favorite DVD releases of 2011. So here goes...


1. Bad Company, Live At Wembley (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Recorded live at Wembley Arena in London in 2010 and released on DVD, Blu-ray and audio CD in June 2011, this release caught vocalist Paul Rodgers, lead guitarist Mick Ralphs, drummer Simon Kirke, guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Lynn Sorensen (original bassist Boz Burrell died in 2006) in perfect form. Some bands find their music becoming more dated with time; this excellent DVD makes a case that Bad Company's rock has never sounded better.


2. Rory Gallagher, Irish Tour ’74 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Eagle Rock Entertainment has been at the forefront of helping champion renewed interest in Rory Gallagher, having issued restored and re-mastered versions of his celebrated catalog throughout 2011. Irish Tour ’74 is a two-hour DVD (also available on Blu-ray) that truly captures what made Gallagher (who died at the mere age of 47 in 1995) so special. On stage he was a fiery presence as he sang and played high-powered electric guitar or acoustic blues with equal fervor, able to get young audiences to their feet with Springsteen-like command. Off-stage he was articulate and focused on his passion making music and the relationship an artist forges with their fans that is as much about life as it is the power of music.


3. Gary Moore, Live At Montreux 2010 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Watching the legendary guitarist Gary Moore in the very last live performance of his life, Live At Montreux 2010 is a release as bittersweet as any issued this year. But there is no better way to celebrate and remember Moore than by watching this wonderful DVD (also available on Blu-ray and on audio CD). In addition to his final 2010 concert (Moore died at age 59 on Feb. 6, 2011), there are four bonus tracks of his performance at Montreux in 1997 among the extras so fans get to see several different versions of "Still Got the Blues" and "Walking By Myself" performed. But the gems of the set are the new tracks he had written for a planned forthcoming 2011 album (sadly, never completed) that are performed here.


4. Sigur Rós, Inni (XL Recordings)
Few modern-rock acts to emerge since the early 1990s have been able to craft music that is as original as it is beautiful. But like England’s Radiohead, Iceland’s Sigur Rós has found its own little niche in the sonic universe, a place where lush symphonic textures, intense live performances that feature singer Jónsi attacking his electric guitar with a violin bow and additional otherworldly sounds please audiences looking for something to call their own. Inni, a three-disc collection featuring a concert DVD (also available on Blu-ray) on one disc and two audio CDs, was recorded and filmed over two nights at London’s Alexandra Palace in late 2008.



5. The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition (Reprise Records)
For the past 25 years, Neil Young and his wife Pegi Young have hosted the annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts to benefit The Bridge School, a non-profit, innovative organization educating children with severe speech and physical impairments. 2011 marked the release of DVD and CD collections highlighting wide-ranging performances captured at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California since the first concert was produced in October 1986. Highlights on the DVD include Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller on the duet "Love Hurts," Fleet Foxes performing "Blue Ridge Mountains," a heart wrenching "Fire and Rain" courtesy of James Taylor," and Elton John and Leon Russell teaming up on "A Dream Come True."


6. AC/DC, AC/DC: Let There Be Rock (Warner Home Video)
Titles featuring Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher were not the only bittersweet rock 'n' roll keepsakes to make their way onto DVD and Blu-ray in 2011. More than three decades after Bon Scott's death, his final filmed live concert with AC/DC was finally issued on DVD. The special collector's edition features a Blu-ray & DVD combo pack with the 13-song set that AC/DC performed on stage in Paris in 1979, as well as more than 95 minutes of bonus extras (including haunting interviews and backstage footage with Scott). "Let There Be Rock," indeed.


7. The Rolling Stones, Some Girls Live in Texas ’78 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
The 2011 release Some Girls Live in Texas ’78 captured the band just weeks after the release of their final tour de force, 1978's Some Girls.
In a loose and freewheeling performance of 17 songs, singer Mick Jagger and company delivered a blistering set featuring most of the highlights from Some Girls (a rowdy “Respectable,” disco-tinged “Miss You” and R&B-flavored “Beast of Burden”), as well as gems such as Chuck Berry‘s “Sweet Little 16″ and rocking versions of the Stones’ own “Brown Sugar” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”


8. Deep Purple, Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live At Montreux 2011 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
There have been a few examples where bands performing with a full orchestra are effective, with performances by the Moody Blues and Metallica being obvious examples. But often times the approach is nothing more than a silly gimmick that does little to lift the material. Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live At Montreux 2011 is definitely no gimmick. Released as a two-disc CD, as well as on DVD and Blu-ray, this 115-minute concert ranks as one of my favorite live collections released on DVD this year.


9. Peter, Paul and Mary, 25th Anniversary Concert (Shout! Factory)
There was a time in the 1960s when folk music was also popular music. Bob Dylan, the Mamas & the Papas, Donovan and Peter, Paul and Mary were able to compete in an age dominated by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Byrds and other successful rock 'n' roll outfits. The release of Peter, Paul and Mary's 25th Anniversary Concert (originally broadcast over PBS in 1986) captured the trio in winning form, performing powerful versions of "Blowin' In The Wind," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" and "This Land Is Your Land."


10. Paul Rodgers & Friends, Live at Montreux 1994 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
When one of rock's greatest-ever singers joins forces with an army featuring some of rock's greatest musicians, the results shine. Look no further than Paul Rodgers & Friends Live at Montreux 1994, which finds Paul Rodgers teaming up on a blues-heavy set with Queen's Brian May, Journey's Neal Schon, Toto's Steve Lukather, Black Country Communion's Jason Bonham and many more. Sure, the set features some great versions of Bad Company material, but the emphasis is on the blues. Songs penned or made famous by Robert Johnson ("Crossroads"), Sonny Boy Williamson ("Good Morning Little School Girl") and Willie Dixon ("I'm Ready") take center stage via some fantastic performances here.


Honorable mentions: Waylon Jennings: Live At The US Festival, 1983; Willie Nelson: Live At The US Festival, 1983; The Hollies: Look Through Any Window 1963-1975; Paul McCartney, The Love We Make; Peter Gabriel: New Blood - Live in London ; Lindsey Buckingham, Songs From the Small Machine: Live In L.A.; Deep Purple, Phoenix Rising; The Jeff Healey Band, Full Circle: The Live Anthology

Sights and Sounds: The Hollies, Peter Gabriel, Hurricane Bells

Wow! Lots of big news to share about a wealth of new commercial releases on the way. In the wake of Eagle Rock Entertainment's recent announcement about a number of exciting releases and/or reissues from the likes of The Monkees, Paul Rodgers, Counting Crows and many more, comes news about upcoming releases on CD, DVD and/or Blu-ray (and even 3D!!) featuring Peter Gabriel, The Hollies and others. Read on...


Peter Gabriel's 'New Blood Live In London' multi-format release marking Eagle Rock Entertainment’s debut


Eagle Rock Entertainment is proud to announce the October 25, 2011 release of the stunning Peter Gabriel concert film New Blood Live In London. This show was filmed in high definition 3D and is available on multiple formats: the triple-pack 3D release [contains the 3D Blu-ray, regular Blu-ray and DVD versions – MSRP $34.98] regular Blu-ray [MSRP $19.98] and standard DVD [MSRP $14.98]. A deluxe limited edition [MSRP TBA] comes as an 11.5” square 60-page hardback photo book containing the live DVD and Blu-ray, the CD of the New Blood studio album and an exclusive CD of live tracks from the show.

This visual release compliments the release of the New Blood studio album by EMI on October 11, 2011 and the 3D version will be released in cinemas in September. New Blood features many classic tracks including “Biko”, “Red Rain”, “Solsbury Hill”, “Don’t Give Up”, “Blood Of Eden”, “The Rhythm Of The Heat”, “Mercy Street”, “Intruder” and more [Pre-book Order Date September 30]

Filmed in high definition 3D at Hammersmith Apollo in March of this year, New Blood – Live In London in three dimensions captures Peter Gabriel performing live with the 46-piece New Blood Orchestra. The repertoire mixes cover versions from his Scratch My Back album with classic tracks from across his solo career in brand new orchestral arrangements. Gabriel is a renowned live performer and his onstage charisma and instantly recognizable voice combine brilliantly with the orchestral sound palette to breath a new sense of wonder into familiar songs. As you would expect the concert is also a visual feast, with graphics, animation and imagery blending to enhance and illustrate the music.

With the Bonus Feature section (Blu-ray & DVD only) offering the feature “Blood Donors” – the story behind the project including an interview with Peter Gabriel – New Blood Live In London is a landmark release both for Peter Gabriel and indeed for Eagle. Unmissable.



TRACKLISTING

1) Intruder

2) Wallflower

3) The Boy In The Bubble

4) Après Moi

) The Drop

6) Washing Of The Water*

7) The Book Of Love

8) Darkness

9) The Power Of The Heart

10) Biko

11) San Jacinto

12) Digging In The Dirt

13) Signal To Noise

14) Downside Up

15) Mercy Street

16) The Rhythm Of The Heat

17) Blood Of Eden

18) Red Rain

19) Solsbury Hill

20) In Your Eyes

21) Don’t Give Up

22) The Nest That Sailed The Sky

* Not on 3D version

Eagle Rock Entertainment is an international media production and distribution company operating across audiovisual entertainment programming. Eagle Rock Entertainment works directly alongside talent to produce the highest quality programming output covering film, general entertainment and musical performance. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices based in London, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Hamburg, & Paris.



THE HOLLIES: LOOK THROUGH ANY WINDOW 1963 - 1975 .
22 COMPLETE VINTAGE TELEVISION PERFORMANCES BY THE CLASSIC BRITISH GROUP AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DVD.

~ORIGINAL MEMBERS TELL THE BAND’S STORY IN NEW INTERVIEWS~

Eagle Rock Entertainment and Reelin’ In The Years Productions announce the October 4, 2011 worldwide release of The Hollies: Look Through Any Window 1963 – 1975 on DVD [Pre-book Order Date September 9, MSRP $14.98]. Issued with the full cooperation of The Hollies, this is the first official documentary film of the legendary British group known for its classic songs and brilliant vocals.

The film includes 22 full-length performances sourced from television appearances filmed at the time the songs were hitting the charts for the first time. Between performances, original band members Graham Nash, Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott share the history of one of the most beloved groups of the 1960s. Starting with Graham and Allan reminiscing about singing together as young schoolboys and culminating in the group’s last major hit in 1975, the film features over two hours of interviews and music. As a testament to their legacy, The Hollies were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2010.

The Hollies: Look Through Any Window 1963 – 1975 [MSPR $14.98] features all of the band’s beloved hits including rocking performances of “Bus Stop” and “Stop Stop Stop” from 1967 and “Look Through Any Window” and “I Can’t Let Go” from 1966. Also included is a great 1968 performance of “Dear Eloise”, a 1966 rendition of UK chart-topper “I’m Alive” and newly discovered versions of “Jennifer Eccles” and “Carrie Anne” from the 1968 Spilt Festival in Yugoslavia. Of special note is 10 minutes of footage of the band shot in early 1967 at the Abbey Road Studios recording session for their world-wide hit “On A Carousel.” The segment includes astonishing footage of Graham, Allan and Tony recording their lead and backing vocals, heard “naked,” without the instrumental track. Also featured in the film are performances by the Hollies from the “post-Graham Nash era,” featuring Terry Sylvester, and including the worldwide chart-toppers “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)” and a beautiful version of their last Top 10 hit “The Air That I Breathe”. In addition, the film features never-before-seen home movies of the group on tour in the ‘60s in America, Europe and Japan and backstage at television appearances, providing a rare glimpse of their offstage lives.

For The Hollies: Look Through Any Window 1963 – 1975 film every effort has been made to locate the best possible sound and video; each of the performances has been re-transferred and re-mastered from the best-quality, original masters (some having rested in storage vaults for almost 50 years). In the case of lip-sync performances, the original stereo master recordings have been used, replacing the mono broadcast sound and making for a much more enjoyable viewing and listening experience. The DVD also features an informative booklet with an extensive essay by former Rolling Stone editor and award-winning writer, Ben Fong-Torres, including rare photographs and memorabilia.

To view the trailer please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvEHAxE6T6Y

On September 22, 2011 the film will have its world-wide premiere at the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, Calif., home to many of prestigious cinematic events and panel discussions with noted filmmakers including James Cameron, Clint Eastwood and Darren Aronofsky.

Graham Nash and Allan Clarke, along with the producers, will take part in a panel discussion immediately following the screening.

The Hollies: Look Through Any Window 1963 – 1975 is the latest release in the acclaimed British Invasion DVD Series. The previous four releases, Small Faces: All Or Nothing 1965 – 1968, Dusty Springfield: Once Upon A Time 1964 – 1969, Herman’s Hermits: Listen People 1964 – 1969 and Gerry & The Pacemakers: It’s Gonna Be All Right 1963 – 1965 all garnered rave reviews from critics and fans alike.

Reelin’ In the Years has produced some of the most highly-regarded anthology DVD series in music history including the four-volume, GRAMMY-nominated American Folk Blues Festival series, the multi-platinum selling Definitive Motown series (Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles), The British Invasion series and the award-winning Jazz Icons series. This fall will also see the release of Ray Charles – Live In France 1961 and six new titles in Volume 5 of the Jazz Icons series, bringing the total number of titles in the series to thirty-six.

For more information on please visit www.reelinintheyears.com.



HURRICANE BELLS: SOPHOMORE ALBUM TIDES AND TALES TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 25, 2011

Hurricane Bells has announced that their sophomore album Tides and Tales will be released October 25, 2011 via band architect Steve Schiltz's own Invisible Brigades label.



Tides and Tales is an immediate, compelling 12-song collection that ranges from effortlessly catchy (the chiming power pop of "The Ghost Of Her"; the fuzzy guitar-laced "House On Fire") to quietly haunting and beautiful (the gentle "Blue Blue Moon"; the lilting "Before I'm Gone"; the heart-rending "Flowers In The Dirt") to propulsive and soaring (the dynamic "Possibilities", the driving "Let's Go"). As with Hurricane Bells' debut Tonight Is The Ghost, the album was produced and mixed entirely by Schiltz (longtime front man of Longwave), at his Olé Recording studio in Queens, NY, last fall. This time, however, he recorded the tracks with the help of a few friends, including Ashen Keilyn (Scout), a Hurricane Bells touring mainstay; Justin Furstenfeld (Blue October); and Christian Bongers (bass) and Colin Brooks (drums), who round out the Hurricane Bells live band.

In early June, Hurricane Bells launched a PledgeMusic campaign to support the completion of Tides and Tales. The campaign will remain underway for another three weeks and the funds raised will directly contribute to the manufacturing, touring and promotion of the album. Multiple incentives are being offered to fans for pledging, including exclusive vinyl, signed CDs and t-shirts, and a house concert by the band, among many others. Hurricane Bells will also donate a portion of all PledgeMusic campaign proceeds to the nonprofit Education Through Music (http://www.etmonline.org/). For more information and to view a full list of pledge incentives, please visit: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/hurricane-bells.


Hurricane Bells will play a number of hometown New York City shows over the next two months: August 30, 2011 supporting Robbers On High Street at Brooklyn Bowl; a solo acoustic show September 30 at CULTUREFix with Jimmy Gnecco from Ours; and October 27 at the Mercury Lounge for a record release show. A full itinerary is below and more touring news will be announced soon.



Tides and Tales track listing:

1.I've Got A Second Chance
2.Possibilities
3.The Ghost Of Her
4.Blue Blue Moon
5.Hours Like Days
6.Piano Stunt
7.Let's Go
8.House On Fire
9.Before I'm Gone
10. If This Night Is Over
11. Flowers In The Dirt
12. The Hunger Moon




Hurricane Bells tour dates:


AUG. 9 NEW YORK, NY CITY WINERY*

AUG. 30 BROOKLYN, NY BROOKLYN BOWL#

SEPT. 30 NEW YORK, NY CULTUREFIX (acoustic)^

OCT. 27 NEW YORK, NY MERCURY LOUNGE%

* supporting Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea

# supporting Robbers On High Street

^ supporting Jimmy Gnecco (Ours)

% Luke Rathborne supports


For more information, visit: www.hurricanebells.com