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The Shads have had some bloody good bass guitarists, bloody good... actually, on reflection, speaking as a drummer... they have had some bloody good drummers too. They even had a bloody good rhythm guitarist and lead guitarist! (their names escape me...) Not forgetting the finest keyboard players/pianists of the highest calibre! Orchestras too! A and R man... sound engineers... tea lady...
So Shads fans... amidst all the observations, opinions and grumblings... we're not short of outrageously superb musicians in our favourite little band before the Beatles and the Rolling Stones came along are we? You know? Music in Britain started in 1964... obviously...
That sound?...
Amps? Echo boxes? Pedals? String guages? Hank plays like Hank... there's only one Hank (maybe a key to... ahem... 'THAT SOUND'?!)
Note; you don't find drummers doing the same futile thing... what was BB using? How did he get THAT SOUND in the sixties on FOOT TAPPER and SHINDIG? How did he get that snare sound? How did he play Round and Round? Is it a secret of the snare he was using at the time and the tuning? Can it be replicated accurately with the right tuning? Properly? How did he play Walkin'? How did he play Oddball? How did BB play Rockin' With Curley Leads? Compare and contrast... he used to play this fill... on the record he played like this... he played that fill... he played a rim shot... was he leading with the left hand???? SHUT UP!
And I mean SHUT UP majority of Shads fans! Listen to the music and stop analyzing!
TRIBUTE BANDS
Yes, we all learn from somebody/numerous drummers... we all have influences who inspire us... but the key is to create your own style, surely? Please... tell me... what's the point of trying to sound like somebody else? Be yourself...
If you can't 'be yourself'... form a tribute band!
That may sound nasty, or a criticism... but it's not meant to be. I have seen and heard amazing guitarists/bands doing the Shads tribute and I think...
'Be original. Do your own thing...'

Anyway, putting the Shads fan hat on...
Me, aswell... I'd love to hear lots of more live material, amongst others, the Shads with John Rostill on bass. We only have, officially, 'Live In Japan '69' as a testament to John's period/time with the Shads; late '63/70.
Hoffers has mentioned that EMI recorded/taped the Shads live in Japan '67. For reasons unknown to me... it remains unreleased.
Who knows what gems are on it?
The Shadows live in Belgium/Holland 64/65...
Paris Olympia (60's)... Liverpool (full set)... 20 Golden Dates... and others...
Shads fans... both young and old... newbies and veterans... I'm sure... would LOVE a multitude of records containing the Shads live... the much wanted and eagerly awaited Shads live at the Beeb included...
Even if said records NEVER come out.... we've still got more than we could have possibly have EVER hoped for...
The Shads tour (2004/2005) AND Cliff and The Shads reunited (2009/2010)...
Here's to the future!
p.s. some people are never satisfied are they?

Steve Parish
p.s. I'd rather listen to George Harrison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 3:18 pm
Full Real Name: Steve Parish
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Had a good night out, Steve?

Nope...

I thought it was just a matter of time before I read something like this on here, I must admit I agree with most of it, and I'm sure there are plenty more with these views, it's amazing what a few pints can do ! well done Steve for at least being honest and up front......










http://WWW.SHADOWS-TALK.CO.UK

I agree with most of it too, Derek.
What I've always found quite humorous is the amount of time, money and effort some folk are prepared to spend trying to sound like Hank did when he was sixteen.
But everyone to their own. If they get enjoyment from it good luck to them.They are not hurting anyone and at least it keeps them from hanging around on street corners causing trouble.

Its the only thing keeping me going 'Chasing the Holy Grail' (the sound), and cheese cobs at the hankies !!

Has anyone tried to sound like Joe Moretti on Hall of the Mountain King? Of course memories tend to be what you want them to be, but I'm pretty sure that Geoff (Pussy) Mew could when in the Savages - I think he's still playing.

Sounds like someone had a few too many pints last night!
Seriously though, there are many threads on here about things like 'what plectrum did Hank use in1960?'. I don't tend to read them as i'm not interested but some members i'm sure are. If you don't want to read a thread - dont! Maybe some of us do analyse things a bit too much but each to their own.
Theres only one Hank and no one in the world will ever sound better than him!