ARTIST: Hollins Ferry ALBUM: Hollins Ferry LABEL: Port City Records SERIAL: - YEAR: 1977 COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: LINEUP: Nick Longo - bass, keyboards, guitars, vocals * Tony Vega - drums, keyboards, guitar, vocals * Rob Fahey - lead guitar, keyboards, vocals TRACK LISTING: 01 Take My Love * 02 Downtown Menagerie * 03 Sparkles * 04 Lonely City * 05 Surprise * 06 Love From Above * 07 Too Bad About Sorrows * 08 Morning Breezes * 09 Turn Your Back * 10 Patent Leather Lady * 11 The Journey * 12 Love You Forever

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Background
Here's a record that's finally receiving some well deserved attention from collectors and as sure as the sun rises is becoming increasingly expensive. Baltimore, Maryland's Hollins Ferry released just one record of Beatles and Badfinger influenced power pop steering clear - thank the gods - of punk influences. Like similar American bands who wished they were born in Liverpool (Jade, Ol' Paint, Rain and more importantly Big Star), Hollins Ferry designed their sound following The Beatles bigger than Jesus model while blending some good old Yankee spice in the mix. The band's history is a something of a mystery; i.e. nothing on the net but we do know guitarist Rob Fahey went on to head up The Ravyns releasing one decent, if a tad uninspired major label AOR album and scored a spot on the 'Fastimes At Ridgemont High' soundtrack.

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The Songs
While not as immediate as a Badfinger album (what is?), Hollins Ferry offer up a pleasant LP that requires a few plays before the 'Beatlely' charms sink in. Self produced, the record runs the gamut of up tempo rockers and slower numbers that I find quite satisfying. Close your eyes and its 1970 and again. Classic Mersey is the main influence but I also hear echoes of U.S. bands America as well as Beau Brummels and Hollins Ferry were not afraid of using keyboards and various studio techniques to beef up what is essentially guitar based pop. Highlights include the catchy to a fault opener 'Take My Love' including well placed hand claps over a splendid hook and the McCartneyesque 'Downtown Menagerie' with lyrical references covering everything from church bells and English doves to 'milkmen doing their route'. Delightful stuff and very 'Penny Lane'! Side two's 'Morning Breezes' is an achingly beautiful ballad with dramatic keys and a lilting melody line while 'Love You Forever' takes the John Lennon sound to new heights leaving no doubt where the band's heart was.

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In Summary
If you're a fan of The Beatles and their periphery, I can't recommend Hollins Ferry highly enough. Ripe for reissue, I hope at some point a specialty label like Sunbeam or Rev-Ola pick up on Hollins Ferry and soon thank you very much!

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