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Greenish River: “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)” by The Hollies

By Marcello Carlin



It took this long to get to The Hollies? Actually it is perfectly logical that the Mancunians should make their only appearance here with their most “American” record (which significantly didn’t do much business back home). They became permanent residents of the UK singles chart from 1963 onwards; a younger Mancunian, Johnny Marr, learned to play guitar by playing along with the songs on their first hits compilation, 1968’s Greatest. Even after Graham Nash left, they continued having hits for a couple more years but by the early seventies the going had become rough. 1970’s Confessions Of The Mind indicated a willingness to experiment but the idea was perhaps more enticing than the actuality; meanwhile, CSN(+Y)’s international success with songs like “Marrakesh Express” (a song which The Hollies had initially turned down) and “Our House” gave non-believers a glimpse of what might have been.

By the late summer of 1972 Allan Clarke was not even in the group, having left to try a solo career (without success), though rejoined in the summer of 1973, essentially on the back of “Long Cool Woman”’s success. In the States the group had enjoyed a handful of hits since 1966, four of which made the top ten, but nothing like the consistent success they had in Britain.

“Long Cool Woman” momentarily changed all that. Written by Clarke in collaboration with Rogers Cook and Greenaway, reportedly in about five minutes, this featured Clarke on lead guitar and sole vocal, with none of the group’s trademark harmonies. Moreover, it is a fairly blatant attempt to “do” Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Green River” may have been in mind – but Clarke’s Fogerty impression is agreeable enough, even if the lyric is somewhat fish-out-of-water for the group. His closing cries of “Take it all!” (which sound uncannily like “Get it OFF!”) may also suggest some kinship with the work of Marc Bolan. The parent album, Distant Light, was, however, dull, and their 1974 international hit “The Air That I Breathe,” done rather in the manner of Phil Everly, was the final one to make the Billboard top ten. A good, comprehensive best-of compilation and the complete ’63-8 recordings with Nash should see you right with them.

Date Record Made Number Two: 2 September 1972
Number Of Weeks At Number Two: 2
Record At Number One: “Alone Again (Naturally)” by Gilbert O’Sullivan
UK Chart Position: 32

Comments

  1. Mark G13 March 2018 at 05:50

    I remember Allan Clarke's big solo attempt was a version of "Born To Run" by some obscure American singer-songwriter. Once again, it never pays to be too far ahead of the game.

    ReplyDelete

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