New CD Hank

[cockroach]

Hank once said to Brian Matthew before the final tour 'I am supposed to be retired' and it seems that since then we, and indeed he, aren't sure if he is really 'into' his 'electric' recording career at all, and every release feels like it is a bit reluctant and we wonder if it is the last one. Gypsy Jazz apart as his heart seems to be in that far more I hope he can decide to really go for his considerable 'electric legacy' as well and really 'mean it' in his and our last couple of decades. There are encouraging signs of this I think e.g. the PG/BEW video.

In fact a re-listen to 'Hank' suggests it was actually pretty good in reality and the new album sounds very promising.

I have a theory that Hank has gone back to his musical roots in recent years...it was said at one stage that when he and Bruce met, Hank was the studious jazz fan,complete with college style duffel coat and scarf!- who liked trad jazz (he played banjo too!) plus Django, Barney Kessel etc and that it was that roughneck Bruce who tempted him away with naughty rock'n'roll rhythms etc!

Of course, the Shads career took off after a few years, and I doubt he'd ever completely forsake his electric guitar playing, but I suspect he prefers playing his jazz stuff on acoustic guitar these days...

As we know, Jet, Tony Meehan and Brian Bennett were all jazz fans and had the skill to play it too...but there was little money in jazz, now or then!

Hank probably plays his Gypsy Jazz for pleasure and the new album is probably more of a commercial business proposition for him..albeit a musically satisfying one..

[Moderne]

Why don't we all hire a hall somewhere reasonably central (Birmingham/Coventry?) and stage an all day debate; the motion being - "At the age of 75, Hank Marvin needs to re-discover excitement in his recordings - as he did when The Shadows developed 'that sound' in 1960 - after 30+ years of shilly-shallying."

[Uncle Fiesta]

Carried unanimously!

[MeBHank]

Hank probably plays his Gypsy Jazz for pleasure and the new album is probably more of a commercial business proposition for him..albeit a musically satisfying one..

Let's just hope he doesn't hear some of the opinions here!

I didn't live through the sixties and never knew the excitement of hearing that new, energetic sound for the first time. I have always enjoyed the sharp productions of Hank's/The Shads' later covers. In fact I knew One Day I'll Fly Away, Going Home and Memory long before I discovered Apache and Wonderful Land.

One main problem in The Shadows not staying in touch with the pinnacle of modern culture was that the good material dried up, and after the success of Cavatina and Argentina it became easier to record covers. Pierre Teodori's success as a fan writing music for his heroes tells me that it was possible for original material to be considered, but that a lot of the stuff received just wasn't good enough.

Hank's playing improved vastly after The Shadows lost their place at the top of the hit parade. His playing in his thirties and forties was far more advanced than when he was 19 or 20, and IMO was technically better than any of the lead guitar work played by any of the mainstream guitarists who appeared during the mid sixties. The guys who turned up in the next few years playing blues and progressive rock pushed the limits of guitar playing, but no-one had the delicacy, fluency, accuracy and all-round beauty in their touch and sound.

Hank still has that magic and he's still sharing it with us. We're never going to hear a new album of largely original material, so let's appreciate what we get. I've always enjoyed his interpretations of popular tunes, and I can't wait to hear the new album (not least because it features a couple of my all-time favourite tunes). I'm loving the previews we have been teased with and I'm already looking forward to any more future albums Mr Marvin might choose to make.

J

[dave robinson]

Totally agree with Justin on this one, I can hear and appreciate and enjoy what Hank has done just by listening to the iTunes samples, if some don't get it then fine, don't buy it, but I have done and will try and learn more from his feeling for the music.

[Pierre TEODORI]

Hello,
I agree with Dave and Justin 's comments ( thanks for quoting me).Like many of you I would hope a new album with original tunes but I know how difficult it is to get a good promo these days with original materiel. Anyway Hank's sound and playing are at the top and I'll always listen to him ( and The Shadows) with respect, and a big pleasure.
Thanks to them.

Best regards to all of you.
Pierre

[iefje]

I agree with Dave and Justin too. The Shadows and Hank solo really have a unique formula. The derivative numbers are not mere covers, but instrumental and with original arrangements. I always buy a new album by Hank. There are none of his albums I don't like, but some tracks are rather less favourite to listen to, as far as I'm concerned.

[dave robinson]

My take on this is, that from hearing the samples it's a good, listanable album. No it isn't Hank of 1960, gladly he's moved on, as have I myslelf. To be able to still learn something from his playing delights me, I used to be one of his biggest critics for making some of those song choices and wouldn't have chosen some of these current songs to play as instrumentals, but he has proved me wrong this time and made them work - and that's why I like it.

[emielvisser48]

It seems that even the mildest criticism, if one could call it criticism, is not appreciated by some members.
Apparently pointing to Hank seems to be a sin, like remarks as, then don't buy the CD, we will hire a hall for a debate, Let's just hope he doesn't hear some of the opinions here! and many other remarks.
I''m sorry that a simple observation on my part provoked much annoyance, I just gave my opinion, that's all.
Incidentally, there were members who did agree with me.
Since I'm 12 years old I play Shadows music in several bands and I still like it very much......

Regards,
Emiel

[Fenderman]

I know Shads are aware of this site, i wonder if they lurk and read what we say about them?
It would be great if they became site members, they could sure settle a few arguments!