Distant Light (Hollies album)


Distant Light is a 1971 album released by the Hollies, their 11th UK album and their last before brief departure of lead vocalist and founding member Allan Clarke, and reputedly the first album to come out of AIR Studios. The album spawned two hit singles: the Allan Clarke penned "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress", which peaked at number two in the US and number 32 in the UK; and Tony Hicks penned "Long Dark Road", which reached number 26 in the US. The US version of the album peaked at number 21 in the album charts. The summer scene on the cover is rendered as a winter scene on the next Hollies album Romany.

Overview and recording

The album was the band's biggest experiment to date. The use of saxophones, female choruses, and more complex compositions in the style of the Moody Blues, was very unusual for the Hollies. The lyrics were more serious, containing, for example, anti-war messages or dramatic stories. Only a few songs were in the traditional Hollies style and sound.
The recording featured guest appearances by pianist Gary Brooker, guitarist Mick Abrahams and saxophonist Jim Jewell. Vocals were sung by Madeline Bell, Doris Troy and Liza Strike. The LP was released on 8 October 1971 in a gatefold sleeve with a painted woodland and summer scene by Colin Elgie of Hipgnosis. The idea was conceived by Storm Thorgerson, famous for his work with Pink Floyd. There were many hidden messages and a good deal of symbolism and, years later, the artist admitted that there were so many that he couldn't remember some of them. The inside cover art consisted of pictures of the band members taken at a house party at Tony Hicks' apartment.

Release and reception

The band performed the first three songs from the album live on the television show "Meet the Hollies" on July 25, 1971. Later, they performed "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" and "A Little Thing Like Love" again on another TV show, "It's Lulu". The album was highly praised by critics, Record Mirror wrote: "You could use the word sensational about The Hollies' new album." and it became the biggest success they've had in America. However, in their native United Kingdom, the LP was only a modest success for the band. The album's biggest hit was the song "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress", composed by Allan Clarke and Roger Cook. The single reached No. 2 in America, No. 1 in Canada and No. 32 in England. It was the Hollies' biggest American hit ever. The song "Long Dark Road" was also released as a single in America and reached No. 26.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Tony Hicks and Kenny Lynch; except where indicated
Side one
  1. "What a Life I've Led" – 3:58
  2. "Look What We've Got" – 4:07
  3. "Hold On" – 4:07
  4. "Pull Down the Blind" – 3:30
  5. "To Do with Love" – 3:29
  6. "Promised Land" – 4:20
Side two
  1. "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" – 3:19
  2. "You Know the Score" – 5:37
  3. "Cable Car" – 4:25
  4. "A Little Thing Like Love" – 3:19
  5. "Long Dark Road" – 4:16

Personnel

;The Hollies
with:

Chart positions

Album
YearChartPosition
1972Billboard Pop Albums21