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I could not make Shadowmania this year so my brother went instead, when I spoke to him this morning to ask him how he'd enjoyed the show he just said Absolutely Brilliant. He was so impressed with all the groups but was totally blown away by the Foottappers. He could not quite get round how such a young group could play Shadows instrumentals with such precision and why would such a young group want to play Shadows music, they just have good taste in music. I had already seen them at The Pipeline Convention a couple of years ago and they'd impressed me then so told him to watchout for them but also said to him if you ever get to see The Shaddowers you'd be I think even more impressed, to me the nearest thing to the early shadow sounds than the Shadows themselves. If there is a Shadowmania next year I'm certainly going to make sure I get there. It's so refreshing to know that there are still groups out there still wanting to play my type of music, Shads music.

Hi Syd,
You missed a great show and as you said the Foottapper were great. I also think the Shadowers have a fantastic sound,I saw them at Pipeline two years ago and could hardly believe it,the hairs stood up on the back of my neck(don't have many left anywhere else !) They were also great at Shadowmania last year although Alan was not with them. I would love to see both groups on the same bill.

Des.

Des is absolutely right on both counts.

My weekend was overSHADOWED by the fact that I only just crawled into the Continental hotel car park on Friday after my car developed, what I think may now be big-end failure, during the last part of my journey up from Gloucester. Most of the time I was coordinating with the AA to get me home again. They eventually contacted me and transported me back on Sat night about 8 o'clock.

The little I did see on the day certainly brought back memories when the Foottappers gave a super, tight, confident, no-flash performance beaming with youthful excitement and confidence - and what a great sound! I knew exactly how they felt because as a teenager in 1964 I was working the Clubs in Munich, Germany, with that same un-pressured excitement and innocence that only youth bestows on you. It came through with these young lads which the audience latched onto, but with the added bonus of superb playing by all of them. One of the best bands to hit the Shadows scene in a long time. I say this with respect to ALL the other artists taking part, but this especially lifted above the given I expected from Shadowmania. You can't buy the recipe, it just happens - fantastic boys. I hope the band keep playing this type of music, but at their age they must be tempted to learn new and modern styles to help them develope into their own unique playing abilities and broaden their horizons. They are also a great vocal group - see their website.

Once in a while groups come together that click - the Shadows did - these boys look to have done the same. Brilliant!

My old friend was missing this time, but the tribute helped us remember what he had helped create - exciting music and a lifetime of pleasure from learning and playing guitars. We now have a new group continuing that inspiration to the new young (and older) generations. They are well worth following in every respect.

Another brilliant Shadowmania. Thank you Bruce and thanks for the chat.

John