Hollies - A Crazy Steal (1978) Vinyl LP • Hello To Romance, Allan Clarke

Catalog Number:

JE-35334

Musical Styles:

1970s, A Capella, Ballad, Blues Rock, Classic Rock, Disco Funk, Folk Rock, Latin Jazz, Pop Rock, Soft Rock

Sleeve Grade:

Excellent (EX)

Record Grade:

Excellent (EX)

Condition Details:

Vinyl plays nicely; a few light hairlines (play-graded). Cover has a few creases near edges; light-scuffing (front/back). Inner-sleeve is original (generic white). Spine is unbroken and easy-to-read with mild wear. Minor shelf-wear along top/bottom-edges. Wear to corners. Opening is crisp with signs of light use and divots. (Not a cut-out.)

Tracks:

1. Writing On The Wall
2. What Am I Gonna Do
3. Let It Pour
4. Burn Out
5. Hello To Romance
6. Amnesty
7. Caracas
8. Boulder To Birmingham
9. Clown Service
10. Feet On The Ground

About The Record:

A Crazy Steal, by Hollies, showcases a mix of pop, rock, and disco influences. Recorded amidst a challenging period marked by internal band tensions and a rushed production due to touring demands in Germany, the album features a notable cover of Emmylou Harris' Boulder to Birmingham, which reached No. 10 in New Zealand charts. Despite its quality, with singer Allan Clarke considering it the band's best of the era, the album faced commercial struggles, and three singles—Hello To Romance, Amnesty, and Writing On The Wall—failed to chart. The album's cover art, photographed in Bremerhaven's Stadthalle, was a concept from drummer Bobby Elliott, and its recording included session musicians like keyboardists Hans-Peter Arnesen and Pete Wingfield. Historically significant for capturing the Hollies' attempt to adapt to the late 1970s music scene, A Crazy Steal reflects their resilience despite lineup instability, with Clarke briefly leaving the band post-release before returning.