Look Through Any Window 1963-1975 is the definitive DVD history of one of the seminal bands of the British Invasion, one I have always felt were overlooked in light of rivals like the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, even the Animals. The Hollies’ story is related in full detail by the main members of the band, Alan Clarke, Bobby Elliott, Tony Hicks and Graham Nash. Featuring 22 complete performances (many taken from concert appearances), you won’t find a better documentary on this seminal pop harmony group of the 60s.
The earliest stuff here, like “Baby That’s All,” comes from BBC appearances in 1963, on through pre-MTV promotional clips like “Dear Eloise” to the last full clip of the band performing “The Air That I Breathe,” Highlights include interviews with Elliott, a very underrated drummer and watching Hicks run through the beginnings of some songs on various guitars during his interview sections. There’ also Clarke and Nash’s honesty, especially when they get into Nash leaving the band and his success in Crosby, Stills & Nash. There’s a truly great moment when Nash bemoans with mock envy that he was playing Woodstock with CSN&Y just as the Hollies were enjoying massive success (without him) with their hit, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”
There is no stone left unturned here as far as I can tell, including the reunion with Nash in 1983 (when I happened to see them live) and the Hollies working on “On A Carousel” at Abbey Road Studios, thanks to George Martin sneaking a Granada Television TV crew in at the time (The Hollies and The Beatles often worked at the same time at Abbey Road). Look Through Any Window 1963-1975 tells the story Hollies freaks and music fans alike have been waiting for.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
