Butterfly (Hollies album)
Butterfly is the seventh UK studio album by British band the Hollies, released in November 1967. It was the final Hollies album to feature Graham Nash before his departure from the group in 1968. The album consisted solely of songs written by the trio of Nash, Allan Clarke, and Tony Hicks, with Nash leading the sessions.[7] It showcased the band's pop-oriented approach to psychedelia.[8]
| Butterfly | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1 November 1967 | |||
| Recorded | 1 August – 6 October 1967 | |||
| Studio | EMI, London | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 33:14 | |||
| Label | Parlophone | |||
| Producer | Ron Richards | |||
| The Hollies chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [3] |
| Q | [4] |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [5] |
| Uncut | 7/10[6] |
In the US and Canada, Epic Records released an alternate version of the album as Dear Eloise / King Midas in Reverse (also November 1967), featuring a different track selection/order and alternate artwork. The 1967 single "King Midas in Reverse" was not included on the UK version of the album, but was added to the North American version.
UK Release
As with Evolution (1967), none of the songs on the UK album were selected for single or EP release in the UK. The mono single and stereo CD versions of "Try It" differ greatly in terms of sound effects and vocals. Cash Box said of "Dear Eloise" that it has "pounding orchestrations and a tremendous vocal sound added to the exotic beginning-finish."[9]
In 1978, Parlophone reissued Butterfly with new cover art, and again in 1999.[4] Almost all current CD issues of this album contain the original cover art.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, and Graham Nash
| No. | Title | lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dear Eloise" | Nash and Clarke | 3:04 |
| 2. | "Away Away Away" | Nash | 2:19 |
| 3. | "Maker" | Nash | 2:52 |
| 4. | "Pegasus" | Hicks | 2:38 |
| 5. | "Would You Believe?" | Clarke | 4:08 |
| 6. | "Wishyouawish" | Nash | 2:04 |
| No. | Title | lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7. | "Postcard" | Nash | 2:17 |
| 8. | "Charlie and Fred" | Clarke with Nash and Hicks | 2:56 |
| 9. | "Try It" | Clarke with Nash | 3:04 |
| 10. | "Elevated Observations?" | Clarke and Nash | 2:32 |
| 11. | "Step Inside" | Clarke and Nash | 2:51 |
| 12. | "Butterfly" | Nash | 2:42 |
Dear Eloise / King Midas in Reverse
| Dear Eloise / King Midas in Reverse | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 27 November 1967 | |||
| Recorded |
| |||
| Studio | EMI, London | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 28:09 | |||
| Label | Epic Records | |||
| Producer | Ron Richards | |||
| The Hollies US chronology | ||||
| ||||
The North American version of Butterfly was retitled Dear Eloise / King Midas in Reverse, given a different full-color cover featuring a picture of the group, and released on Epic Records on 27 November 1967. The US and Canadian versions both included the single "King Midas in Reverse" and the UK Evolution track "Leave Me", while deleting the UK Butterfly songs "Pegasus", "Try It" and "Elevated Observations".
Release
In the US, "Dear Eloise" was issued as a single A-side while "Try It" and "Elevated Observations?" were issued as B-sides of the "Jennifer Eccles" and "Do the Best You Can" singles, respectively. In Canada, the single "Dear Eloise" reached No. 36.
Billboard praised the titular singles and added that "the other nine cuts don’t disappoint," summarizing the album as a "wealth of good material, well-handled."[10]
The 1998 US CD reissue of Dear Eloise/King Midas in Reverse by Sundazed presents the original UK Butterfly track line-up with "King Midas in Reverse", "Leave Me" and "Do The Best You Can" added to the track listing.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | [8] |
Track listing
All tracks are written by Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, and Graham Nash
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dear Eloise" | 2:33 |
| 2. | "Wishyouawish" | 1:58 |
| 3. | "Charlie and Fred" | 2:54 |
| 4. | "Butterfly" | 2:41 |
| 5. | "Leave Me" | 2:06 |
| 6. | "Postcard" | 2:04 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 7. | "King Midas in Reverse" | 3:07 |
| 8. | "Would You Believe" | 3:02 |
| 9. | "Away Away Away" | 2:19 |
| 10. | "Maker" | 2:33 |
| 11. | "Step Inside" | 2:52 |
Personnel
- Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica
- Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals, electric sitar on “Maker”[11][12]
- Graham Nash – rhythm guitar, vocals, harmonium on “Dear Eloise”[12]
- Bobby Elliott – drums
- Bernie Calvert – bass, keyboards
- John Scott – string and brass arrangements[12]
References
- Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn (2019). Listen to Classic Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre. ABC CLIO. p. 126.
- Greenfield, Mike (1998). "The Hollies". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. pp. 551–553.
- "Review: Butterfly". Allmusic. Retrieved 21 June 2009.
- Leonard, Michael. "Review: The Hollies, Butterfly". Q. EMAP Metro Ltd (July 1999): 148.
- Larkin, Colin (2007). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
- Williamson, Nigel (September 2015). "How to Buy... The Hollies". Uncut. p. 91.
- Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn (2019). Listen to Classic Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre. ABC CLIO. p. 126.
- "Review: Dear Eloise/King Midas in Reverse". Allmusic. Retrieved 21 June 2009.
- "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 18 November 1967. p. 22. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- "Album reviews: Wild Honey". Billboard. Vol. 17, no. 51. 23 December 1967. ISSN 0006-2510.
- "Goldmine". www.hollies.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- "Everything you ever wanted to know about 'Butterfly' | Elevated Observations". elevatedobservations.proboards.com. Retrieved 4 June 2019.