2007 digitally remastered and expanded edition of the British Rock group's 1972 album, recorded during the short time period that Mikael Rickfors fronted the band. Features eight bonus tracks: 'The Baby', 'Magic Woman Touc... more »h' (Acoustic Version), 'If It Wasn't For The Reason That I Love You', 'Papa Rain' (Unreleased), 'Witchy Woman' (Unreleased), 'Oh Granny' (Terry Sylvester Version) and 'I Had A Dream'. 20 tracks total. EMI.« less
2007 digitally remastered and expanded edition of the British Rock group's 1972 album, recorded during the short time period that Mikael Rickfors fronted the band. Features eight bonus tracks: 'The Baby', 'Magic Woman Touch' (Acoustic Version), 'If It Wasn't For The Reason That I Love You', 'Papa Rain' (Unreleased), 'Witchy Woman' (Unreleased), 'Oh Granny' (Terry Sylvester Version) and 'I Had A Dream'. 20 tracks total. EMI.
CD Reviews
Finally......
Music Mike from North Ontario Illin | 3 Abbey Road, North Ontario, Illinois | 08/23/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Finally available in stereo and with bonus tracks. This originally came out when I was a sophmore in college in 1972, and at the time I was pleasantly surprised, since A. Clarke was no longer the lead singer. After my first listen, that was fine with me! I just rec'd. my copy from Amazon (just releaaed on August 20), and couldn't wait to listen again. Melody, harmony, musicianship, Abbey Road Studio sound, well produced and great memories......and my favorite Hollies album."
I have sought this CD forever...
Dwain A. Erhart | Stevensville, MT United States | 12/31/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have noticed that the best Hollies songs (at least to me) are the ones that really never topped the charts. While Bus Stop, Carrie Anne, He Ain't Heavy, The Air That I Breathe, Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, etc. are great songs, they are readily available on "hits" albums, compilations and the radio. Songs like "Touch" and "Romany" and the like are rarely heard. Let's face it, if we wanted nothing but hits, why not simply listen to an FM station? The purpose of purchasing music would then be moot! This is my favorite Hollies album! While I like other Hollies songs, this type of album is what I look for when I list my favorites. Next on my list for the Hollies is 5317704, followed by A Crazy Steal. The style of these works makes the Hollies my favorite band. There are other songs that I really enjoy "Don't Let me Down" to name one, but the songs on this work set it apart - as does the album cover art."
The Hollies' Art Rock Masterpiece
Fredric A. Cooper | Los Angeles, CA | 12/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Following the recording of the single "Hey Willy" and the LP "Distant Light", lead vocalist Allan Clarke split from The Hollies after a disagreement regarding solo work. The remaining members decided to pick a top replacement for Clarke, and they couldn't have come up with anyone better than who they chose; one Mikael Rickfors, formerly of the Swedish EMI band Bamboo, who got the job due to his songwriting and multi-instrumental abilities but most of all for his incredible singing voice. Deep and rich, but able to reach a middle range as well (as on the gorgeous title track here), Rickfors brought a fresh new sound to the band; a maturity and a new mellowness to the harmonies that is very pleasing to the ear. Add that to the fact that long-time producer Ron Richards left this project early on, and you have two major factors that either make or break this album; a new singer and self-production. This was a challange for the band, and they lived up to it stunningly. "Romany" is perhaps the most varied and emminently listenable album in the band's catalog. No fancy orchestrations this time; left to their own devices, the band produced a gem, and play with finese and skill. The songs are some of the best of the time period, from the pens of notable cult songwriters Judee Sill (the haunting "Jesus Was A Crossmaker", sung by Terry Sylvester) and David Ackles ("Down River") to a great new UK writer Colin Horton-Jennings ("Magic Woman Touch", "Delaware Taggett and the Outlaw Boys"). Rickfors contributes a track ("Touch", which was originally the title of the LP, until it was discovered there was an album out by The Supremes with that title) as well as guitarist Tony Hicks and his songwriting partner Kenny Lynch ("Blue in the Morning"). All of the tracks are superb, and the bonus cuts are all essential additions. This is high caliber pop-rock at its best. The Hollies never got better than on "Romany". Now if EMI would do the same for the followup LP with Rickfors, "Out On The Road", that would complete the picture."
Lost classic as West Coast and England Collide
smarkarrow | Lutherville, MD | 05/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Back in 1990 their former label released a compilation CD titled The Epic Anthology. I picked this up a few years ago and found myself playing it every few weeks. Every review I read about the Epic Anthology mentioned a song called Magic Woman Touch. Many seemed to think that this was the best single that Crosby Stills and Nash never released. When I finally heard it (on the Epic Anthology) I have to say they are right on the money. It was almost as if the Hollies were trying to one-up old Mr. Nash. Even so, it still sounds completely original and completely like the Hollies. This CD has turned out to be a brand new classic for me.
In several places, they are navigating the same waters as CSN. In a couple of the songs the guitarist is utilizing a tone that clearly recalls Stills on Wooden Ships and a few other CSN classics. The second cut, Touch, could easily be a Stills cameo. If you think I am pushing the Stills thing too far, you need to hear the wah-wah leads on the last cut I Had A Dream. The fact that the guitarist is still completely original in the way he plays really pushes the whole CD to another level.
The harmonies on this album are among the most original and listenable you could ask for. Its funny how so many people take harmony singing for granted. I know there are plenty of musicians on this blog so I don't have to tell anyone how hard it is to actually sing good harmony. Much less come up with original arrangements that don't sound like everything else. Romany holds some of the greatest arrangements the Hollies ever came up with.
The bonus track on this release are pretty dag-gone solid. Papa Rain starts off with the Stills-like guitar opening of Wooden Ships and than moves into a slow dreamy state that sounds as if you are floating down a river in mid-summer. The harmonies easily match Crosby-Nash and the singer (Rickfors) sounds like early Darryl Hall. The cover of Witchy Woman rocks a lot harder than the Eagles version did and near the end adds a bit of funk to the guitars.
Rickfors stayed with The Hollies for just this one album. He went on to become a very successful songwriter well as one of Europe's most respected vocalists. The Hollies got Clarke back on the next release and went back to work. Still, this one album, considered by many to be a brief aberration, sounds as if someone brought the West Coast of California to England and somehow everything worked out for everyone.
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1