Genre: pop
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Legendary Heroes
Company: Elektra
Catalog: 6E-267
Year: 1980
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: promo copy; small stamp on cover; white label
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4472
Price: $8.00
Cost: $66.00
Released under the title "The Only Ones" throughout the rest of the world, in the States this set was repackaged as "Legendary Heroes".
Produced by Spencer Proffer, this 1980 collection didn't do much for me the first time I listened to it, but I have to admit that it's steadily grown on me. As the long-standing voice of The Hollies, anyone expecting to hear Clarke updating his sound to accommodate early 1980's punk and new wave influences will find this disappointing. While it probably explains why the album vanished into instant oblivion, tracks such as 'Slipstream', 'The Only Ones' and 'Walls' served to highlight Clarke's instantly recognizable voice on a highly commercial album. Catchy melodies, those trademarked harmonies ... it's all here. Elsewhere Brandenburg Plaza'' found Clarke turning in his best rocker since 'Long Tall Woman (In a Black Dress)'. Very nice !!! Unfortunately, those musical traits were almost diametrically opposite of prevailing popular tastes. In case anyone cares, Elektra pulled a paid of singles from the album: 'Slipstream' b/w 'Imagination's Child' (Elektra catalog number E-46617) and 'The Only Ones' b/w '' (Elektra catalog number E-47019).
"Legendary Heroes" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Slipstream (Allan Clarke - Gary Benson) -
2,) The Only Ones (Allan Clarke - Gary Benson) -
3.) Walls (Allan Clarke - Gary Benson) -
4.) Brandenburg Plaza (Allan Clarke - Gary Benson) -
5.) The Survivor (Allan Clarke - Gary Benson) -
(side 2)
1.) Driving the Doomsday Cars (Allan Clarke - Gary Benson) -
2.) Baby Blue (Peter Ham) -
3.) Sanctuary (Gary Benson) -
4.) Imagination's Child (Allan Clarke - Spencer Proffer) -
5.) Legendary Heroes (Allan Clarke - Gary Benson) -