Wonderful Land 1970

[Iain Purdon]

Would this be the version? Music starts about half way through

[iefje]

Would this be the version? Music starts about half way through

Yes, that's the one. Both clips ("Wonderful Land" and "Foot Tapper") are from the same episode of "It's Cliff Richard", recorded on the aforementioned date.

[Iain Purdon]

Yes, that sounds like what Hank was doing at the time and I'm sure Alan Hawkshaw is doing all those keyboardy bits!

[iefje]

Although not to everyone's taste, I think it's great to see this footage from this short-lived line-up of the group. It's probably also one of the last television appearances of John Rostill. I think the arrangements and sound of the two 'live' recordings are quite alright. "Foot Tapper" sounds very tight and dynamic to my ears, much much better than the 1969 live version from the Japanese "'Live' In Japan" album.

[Fenderman]

Out of interest, did Hank meet John Rostill again after their last Shadows concerts together in 1970?

I'm sure they met on tour in 1972, they were playing in different bands but same bill, something like that. I can't remember!
John was friends with Bruce, they were writing a lot of new material in late 1973 that probably would have eventually been recorded by the Shadows.

[drakula63]

Well, I like it.

Alan Hawkshaw has a great photo of John Rostill framed and hanging in his studio. It looks to have been taken around 1972/73 in the dressing room (possibly in Las Vegas at a Tom Jones gig). I am assuming that Alan took the picture. That was the impression I got. So he stayed in touch anyway.

[StuartD]

Never mind Hank's guitar sound; what about the superb Bass playing of John. One of the few examples we have of his playing on a Shadows tune he wasn't featured on. Great player!!

Regards

Stuart

[Peter K]

Yes indeed, John's bass playing sounds superb, really brilliant.

Regards Peter

[Iain Purdon]

Oh yes, the Shadows are on record saying that John was the best bass player they had.

[ecca]

I loved em.
Especially the grey box on the screen.
It was the best grey box ever.