Cliff/Shads: big live review.

[drakula63]

Blimey, it's cold outside!!!!

Hope everyone is coping well in these arctic weather conditions! No broken bones I trust. Just a few very red noses!

Anyway, please forgive me for blowing my own trumpet, which is not really the intention, but could I just draw your attention to this rather big Cliff and the Shadows 'Reunited' live review.

http://www.btinternet.com/~shadows_archive/

As far as the writing goes; I've done my best to convey something of the excitement and, I think, the enormity of the occasion. Just as interesting, perhaps more so, are the fantastic photos that are sprinkled very liberally throughout. The design work is very attractive and, all in all, I think it has turned out very well. Dave has had some problems accessing his site and has only just managed to put the review online, which is really why I'm posting this. Dave tells me that he may be doing a bit of 'spring cleaning' next year and that the site may get something of a makeover. Personally I'd like to thank Dave for being so happy to incorporate my words into the site and for establishing what is still the best Shadows website (not forum!) on the 'net. The guestbook may have disappeared, a shame, but I'm sure that the guests continue to check in.

And on that note, I shall go and brave the elements. If you don't hear from me again... send out the search parties!!!



Chris.

[martcaster]

What brilliant review of a fantastic show! Well done, Chris. I would urge every member of our Community to read this in its entirety. It's a marvellous, comprehensive overview, written with obvious enthusiasm,love for the subjects and the music and a wide ranging knowledge of the history of the band. Give yourselves a treat, folks. Put the DVD on, LOUD!!! And read this review. It'll be the best two and a half hours you'll spend today.

Love to all,
Mart.

[Rich Cowling]

Yes loads in there Chris great read...i was so far away at the concerts so i viewed alot of it through my camera determined to capture some fun moments the guys seemed to enjoy themselves on stage...just pure magic hope Dave has his site sorted soon to his satisfaction... i recall some years ago all we had was SCOFA ..John Friesien (often talked to John's father about anything up and coming) or writing to Shads record company for info... was there ever a Shadows Fan Club in the early days

[Rosemary]

Thanks Chris for a fantastic review which brought back the happiest memories and inspired me to jot down a few more notes about their Brisbane (Australia) concert.

Brisbane 18 February 2010
The build up was amazing. Before the concert the entertainment centre was playing some J.S. Bach (another of my heroes). Then they brought out one of Hank's Strats (I was sitting on the right) and the excitement really began. The big video was shown and then there they were! I felt a bit like one of those teenage fans of the 60s except I was screaming inside and not out loud although I certainly did my bit of singing along and very loud applause and cheering after each number.

I can't remember the exact order of songs except it was almost, if not identical to the DVD, beginning with 'We Say Yeah' and ending with 'The Young Ones'. From start to finish it was simply the best entertainment ever. With one hit after another everyone was singing along and ecstatically happy. It was an incredible atmosphere where 65 was the new 25. Everyone was young again.

It was The Shads I wanted to hear and see but Sir Cliff was in great form and it would be terribly wrong of me not to say what a wonderful performance he gave. He was simply brilliant. I noticed when he had his back to the audience he had that funny little grin on his face when the women went wild. It was as though he were having a little chuckle to himself.

I could hardly wait until the Shadows solo sets and they brought the house down. 'The Savage' was sensational. All their numbers were - an unbelievable sound! I can't adequately describe how it felt to hear them play live. It was a dream come true. I don't think you've lived until you've heard the Shadows playing 'Apache' live which received a standing ovation. Their set was split before and after interval and everyone was talking about them. 'Brilliant' was the adjective I heard the most. Cliff fans were saying 'I've seen Cliff three times but I've never heard the Shadows live until now. Aren't they wonderful!'. I heard a gentleman say to his wife 'I'm waiting to hear him make a mistake'. Should I have told him 'Hank doesn't make mistakes'?

The 18th February 2010 was definitely one of the best if not THE best nights of my life all because of Bruce, Brian, Hank, Sir Cliff, Warren, Mark and Keith and I still talk about it as if were yesterday. THANKS AGAIN TO THE SHADOWS AND SIR CLIFF!

[JimN]

... was there ever a Shadows Fan Club in the early days

There was.

It was run by one "Miss Billie Harrington" from an address in a block of "artisan dwellings" (Peabody Buildings, perhaps?) somewhere in Central London. The name and address were publicised in various early editions of the Shadows sheet music albums, but never in the sleeve notes of their UK LPs or EPs.

Not sure how long it lasted.

JN

[Arpeggio]

Chris.....superb review of those memorable concerts. Spot on! As the music press would have it (star rating) - *****

Rich... I have a handful of those 60s Fan Club publications somewhere. 2 x A4 cyclostyled sheets stapled together. Very chatty with snippets of info. It's my understanding that the Shads themselves didn't really want a Fan Club as such back in the 1960s. I think that it lasted into 1967 - but there may be ohers on the site with more information.

Bests....Rob

[RayL]

Agreed on an excellent review.

And from 'The Shadows Album Of Guitar Favourites'
Miss Billie Harrington & Miss Toni Francis
1d, Sutton Dwellings,
Ixworth Place,
Chelsea, S.W.3.

(Near South Kensington Underground, in the hinterland between the Brompton Road and the Kings Road)

Probably not much point in writing, though . . . . . . . . . .

Ray

[Rich Cowling]

Always wondered.....thanks for the generous feedback Jim, Rob, Ray, nice review Rosemary it was indeed brilliant...

[drakula63]

Thanks for the comments, folks. It turned out to be quite hard to write as I was a bit, how can I put it, intimidated by the fears that I wouldn't be able to do them/it justice. Anyway, I did my best and I'm very pleased that it seems to have gone down so well. I look forward to writing a similar review of their 75th anniversary celebrations!!!

I have thus far managed to avoid breaking my neck on the ice, but have come close a couple of times!!! I shall obviously have to try harder next time...

Take care, it's dangerous out there!

[Shad1]

Excellent review Chris - congratulations - brought it all back. Now I'll looking out my DVD again......:)

Regards
Malc.