NEW CD FROM HANK

[Monty]

I never compare RWCL to the two Marvin, Welch & Farrar vocal albums

M,W, & F were a vocal group in the same league as say CSN (& Y), America, Bread, The Eagles etc....& the short lived Mike Rickfors fronted Hollies (of the same 1972-73 period)

those groups each had an acoustic/electric instrumental sound but with firm emphasis on harmony vocals with various members featured as Lead vocalists in a more 'west coast' style of seventies singer/songwriters banded together as a group...

it's notable the M, W, & F first album was more acoustic based (tho' not exclusively) than 'Second Opinion' too but neither were in the style of The Shadows - 'You're Burning Bridges', 'Simplfy Your Head','Throw Down A Line, 'Black Eyes', 'Let's Say Goodbye' etc are nothing like The Shadows style (even tho' later admittedly 'It'll Be Me Babe' wasn't either in 1976 !)

interesting to compare the M,W, & F single studio version of 'Marmaduke' to The Shads 'Live in Paris' version....despite identical or near identical line ups & vocalists note how the STYLES are quite different with The Shads take being the more instantly commercial featuring Hank's characteristic guitar licks and some Marvin/Farrar harmony guitarwork, while M W & F have a 'folkier' more acoustic based feel to their single version...

I'd like to see the instrumentals from 'Specs Appeal' and the John Farrar featured instrumentals from 'Tasty' compiled as the originally intended all instrumental album follow up to RWCL - with the mono single version of 'God Only Knows', plus instrumental 'No No Nina', and 'The Air That I Breathe' added as 'bonus tracks' - such a compilation would make for a fine 'lost' instrumental Shadows album from the mid seventies...

I've heard Sir Paul McCartney once offered 'Here, There, & Everywhere' to The Shads as a possible instrumental (?) - that would sound great if Hank (with Ben) cut it now....

[Gary Allen]

I've heard Sir Paul McCartney once offered 'Here, There, & Everywhere' to The Shads as a possible instrumental (?) - that would sound great if Hank (with Ben) cut it now....

Hi Monty.

[Didier]

I've heard Sir Paul McCartney once offered 'Here, There, & Everywhere' to The Shads as a possible instrumental (?) - that would sound great if Hank (with Ben) cut it now....

Bruce Welch tells in his book that Paul McCartney once played them on a piano 'Here, There, & Everywhere' in Abbey Road, and proposed it for the Shadows. He promised to send a cassette which never arrived... The tune was later used with added lyrics for the Beatles' Revolver album...
Much later, Hank Marvin recorded an instrumental version for his "Guitar Man" album (just posted by Gary Allen).

Didier

[tolo]

unlike others I particularly dislike Years Away and Gracie.

Just goes to show - one mans water etc....

I love Years Away on that record - Hank gets the most beautiful, aching tone on the chorus of the song...

I reckon he was really on form during that period, enjoying his playing and tonal textures - experimenting and breaking out... Without hearing the new record (of course) - I was secretly hoping for something of the same - the master making a statement and not just another album played as inoffensive coffee shop background music...

I will await with interest of course like us all - but hope is not a strategy...

[donna plasky]

There is/was an interesting interview of Hank on YouTube, which I cannot seem to find at the moment, where Hank was making appearances and granting interviews to promote his latest LP. It was either Guitar Man, or Guitar Player, I forget which...but I tend to think it was Guitar Man. Someone asked Hank how he selects the songs he records, when he releases a solo LP. Hank's answer surprised me, because I don't know much about the recording industry, only the other side of it...as a fan. Hank said it's basically a negotiation process, going back and forth between himself and the record company. I had naively thought when you reach the point of fame that he'd reached, you can call your own shots and record anything you want. But having heard his answer, it made sense. Unless you're financing your own LP release, the record company is the decision-maker.

So, that made me appreciate any of the times that the Shadows (as The Shadows, MWV, and/or as solo artists) had opportunities to play music that they actually liked, not necessarily what they were requested to play. I guess it made me feel like I got to see another side of them, or got to know them a little better.

One thing you can always say about anything with Hank's name on it, it will be top quality and well done. That is not always the case with other artists. I'm not referring to or implying anyone specific, just in general. Many of the artists I used to like are now releasing stuff that sounds like they didn't try very hard or invest very much time or effort in recording it. As Shadows fans, we're spoiled in that regard. We never have to wonder about that part of it. It's just a matter of whether you like gypsy jazz, surf music, vocal harmonies, or whatever it may be.

Thanks for listening.

Cheers,
Donna

[hbmartin]

Just found this on YouTube listed under Demon Music Group. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RqBNIH ... e=youtu.be

[Hank2k]

Interesting clip thanks for sharing

Note all 3 of hanks strats with the vox and the tvs3,