“Would You Believe?” by The Hollies - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1966Album Chart of the Decade: 1960s

TJR says

They were never the greatest band for a left-field music lover like myself, but they had their moments here and there with some neat 60s singles and b-sides. “Would You Believe?” was their pinnacle of their album’s discography – it was their roughest, toughest and meanest set, generally leaning in a folksy rock direction. That said, it’s a soul ballad which steals my utmost affection. Their take on “That’s How Strong My Love Is” (O.V. Wright with The Keys, 1964) may lack the emotional depth of the Stones or Redding’s versions but it’s fantastic all the same, and demonstrates good taste. Strangely, it’s followed by “Sweet Little Sixteen”. Who was still playing Chuck Berry covers in 1966? This betrays the aforementioned good taste. Closing side 1, the upbeat groovy-ness of “I Am A Rock” swings the taste-o-meter back in their favour. Pleasingly, one of their own, “I’ve Got A Way Of My Own”, a stirring and harmonious folk-rocker in the style of Paul Simon’s “Blessed”, provides a late album highlight, sealing the deal on a thumbs up album rating from this leftie.

The Jukebox Rebel
11–Dec–2008

Tracklist
A1 [02:20] 5.5.png The Hollies - I Take What I Want [mono version] (David Porter, Mabon Hodges, Isaac Hayes) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
A2 [02:17] 5.3.png The Hollies - Hard Hard Year [mono version] (Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, Graham Nash) Folk Rock / Americana
A3 [02:46] 8.4.png The Hollies - That’s How Strong My Love Is [mono version] (Roosevelt Jamison) Soul Ballad
A4 [02:25] 5.0.png The Hollies - Sweet Little Sixteen [mono version] (Charles Berry) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
A5 [02:40] 4.9.png The Hollies - Oriental Sadness (She’ll Never Trust In Anybody No More) [mono version] (Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, Graham Nash) Cerebral Pop
A6 [02:52] 7.6.png The Hollies - I Am A Rock [mono version] (Paul Simon) Folk Rock / Americana
B1 [02:24] 6.0.png The Hollies - Take Your Time [mono version] (Charles Hardin Holley, Norman Petty) Cerebral Pop
B2 [02:29] 5.1.png The Hollies - Don’t You Even Care (What’s Gonna Happen To Me) [mono version] (Clint Ballard Jr.) Pop
B3 [02:10] 6.4.png The Hollies - Fifi The Flea [mono version] (Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, Graham Nash) Folk
B4 [03:09] 5.8.png The Hollies - Stewball [mono version] (Bob Yellin, Ralph Rinzler, John Herald) Country
B5 [02:13] 7.0.png The Hollies - I’ve Got A Way Of My Own [mono version] (Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, Graham Nash) Folk Rock / Americana
B6 [02:37] 6.6.png The Hollies - I Can’t Let Go [mono version] (Chip Taylor, Al Gorgoni) Cerebral Pop

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