Look Through Any Window 1963-1975 [DVD] [2011] [NTSC]

The Manchester group 'The Hollies' are represented on this DVD with their own skill and artistry put together on film by director David Peck who said, "My goal with all music films is to educate the public". Not only do we hear and see 22 performances, we have the benefit of the history of the band via talks with the group members detailing their careers, problems, personnel changes, challenges with acceptance in America. These aren't just fillers. They enhance the story and are interspersed between the songs. The 60's were a marvellous time for further musical progress. Looking to the Beatles, Stones, Searchers, Kinks etc were a delight. The Hollies songs were by no means less awaited with expectancy and did not disappoint. Their hallmark was their harmony, energy and as usual neatly attired and attractive!

The initial covers of 'Rockin' Robin','Stay','Baby That's All', were followed by the better known hits. The DVD 'complete performances' are memorable. Mimed performances are well-synchronised, the live versions note-perfect. The harmonies were apparently based on the influence of the Everly Brothers. Graham Nash and Allan Clarke were at infant school together, sang in the choir, were known for their vocal harmonies, (even including 'The Lord's Prayer') and decided to form a group. Allan Clarke's vocals are instantly identifiable as are Nash's high-pitched complimentary hallmark unison.
The 'Hollies' name came from a combination of Buddy Holly and Christmas!
The songs are all vital to the period and are still fresh. Graham Nash's departure after a meeting with David Crosby was a dent but well-explained. The last filmed Hollies with the established line-up are here. 'Listen To Me' and 'Do The Best You Can'. They did impact on America but they remain British.
Allan Clarke went and came back. Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott were no means just in there. They were integral to the sound. Tony Hicks vocals and guitar work were vital. Elliot's fluent driving, likewise. They are part and parcel of the Hollies' sound. Nor miss the contribution of Terry Sylvester, later joining having been with the 'Swinging Blue Jeans'.

They are all highlights. 'King Midas In Reverse', 'On a Carousel', 'I'm Alive', 'Here I go Again', 'Air That I Breathe','Bus Stop','Carrie Anne' and the emotional 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother'. The others are here to see and hear.
Superbly produced, well-filmed with great sound. They have done 'Dylan' and 'Buddy Holly' tributes with distinction. This is a wonderful group and a precious reminder of their talent and influence. They stayed together through a period of rapid evolution.The film and music are everlasting.Took a while to be inaugurated into the American 'Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame' in 2010.
The 12 page booklet and interviews are most informative. The menu gives the choice options for flexibility. 184 minutes of running time including interviews. Home movies (knocking Elliot's hat off when he had hair) and backstage films are an added attraction. The Hollies have a unique sound and place in music. Highly recommended and lends to repeat viewing.

This series of releases is obviously targetted at the fans as there is a care and attention to detail taken here. This latest set includes the cream of The Hollies' most well-known songs from the '60s up till the mid '70s (when the hits dried up); a handful of songs which have performnces existing are missing from the set but are nothing drastic. The quality of most of the visuals is very sharp and where a record was mimed to, this has been re-dubbed with a crisp digital version of same. All songs are presented complete minus captions etc. (if selected as a "play all songs" option). Otherwise you get a long and interesting documentary featuring interviews with Clark, Nash, Hicks and Elliott, broken up by the numbers they are discussing.

This DVD set is presented exactly as I would like to see it (i.e. complete song performances, no intrusive screen logos or song captions and re-dubbed digital sound where possible plus an option to view the songs in isolation or as part of the doc). It's also a long running time.

The only criticisms I would make are:
Firstly, there are more interesting performances existing of a few of the songs featured here which were omitted, such as lovely colour clips of Butterfly / Dear Eloise / On A Carousel from Mike Douglas Show (U.S. 1967), Carrie Anne (Smothers Brothers (U.S. 1967), Jennifer Eccles (Hollywood Palace, U.S. 1968) and U.K. TV appearances from 1968 (Bobbie Gentry Show; one of the last existing appearances with Nash) and Julie Felix (1970). All of which are prime Hollies material that deserved to be seen by a wider audience at last! The lack of those key U.S. performances is surprising as the set is U.S. produced. There are some interesting TV appearances included though which usually get overlooked (e.g. Croatian TV), so it isn't all bad news on the selection front.
Secondly, a few (not all, I don't think) clips appear to be PAL original material converted to NTSC, with a slight resulting softness of image. It would have made sense to master direct from PAL to PAL for U.K. release, where originating material was in that format (and a lot of it was).

Still, all told, these British Invasion series releases are well worth the modest price they sell for. This release is NOT the definitive or last word on The Hollies (as several key TV appearances mentioned above have been overlooked). But it's far superior to The Dutch Collection DVD and still rates four stars for high quality. I hope the range continues to expand. I would like to see further volumes on other overlooked (in DVD terms) '60s acts such as Manfred Mann, The Zombies, The Yardbirds and The Animals.

I put this in the player with the intention of spending a few minutes just flicking through it.

It turned out to be spellbinding - I watched it through from beginning to end. Absolutely superb!

The musical performances are first class, the interviews are interesting, the sound and video are exceptionally good. It emphasises just how brilliant The Hollies were.

Perhaps the most remarkable highlight is the footage of On A Carousel being recorded at Abbey Road.

Very highly recommended.