Procol Harum

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Say it Ain't So, Joe

The Hollies / Brooker connection

How did Gary Brooker come to choose Say It Ain't So Joe to record on No More Fear of Flying?

The third Hollies album in EMI's splendid 'At Abbey Road' series: The Hollies At Abbey Road 1973 – 1989 (CD 7243 4 96434 2 0) has the following liner note by Uli Twelker:

  • The Hollies liked this emotional work by Murray Head, singer, songwriter of Jesus Christ Superstar fame, enough to include their version on the ballad album, with Austrian Hollie Pete Arnesen playing the beautiful piano part.

    Meanwhile, Harlequin backing singer Gary Brooker listened in and warmed to its well-paced drama enough to take the song to an amicable Abbey Road deserter, Sir George Martin – at Air Studios, which the Hollies have been familiar with since TCW, of course. Both Martin & Brooker liked Joe enough to include it on Brooker's first solo outing No More Fear Of Flying.

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    • Brooker has not recorded any other songs about Stalin that have come to our notice at BtP.

    Main page about this album

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