New CD Hank

[drakula63]

Ben did as well.

I remember that Steve Gray used to be a member of and regular poster on the now defunct Sky forum. His posts were always amusing and informative and it was through this that we got in contact and he sent me one or two things. He seemed happy to take part with all manner of discussions. So sad that he died so suddenly. It's strange, but keyboard players have tended to be the most approachable and generous and I've had quite a bit of on and off forum contact with the likes of Steve, Francis Monkman, Alan Hawkshaw and Warren Bennett over the years!

Happy Easter!

[Fenderman]

I wonder why Hank became irritated by the site? Maybe someone said something he didn't like?

[Gary Allen]

A few years back I asked Hank about internet forums, He wasn't too happy about Luke warm reviews on his solo albums,the gretsch theory,and fans criticising his guitar sound.

[MeBHank]

A few years back I asked Hank about internet forums, He wasn't too happy about Luke warm reviews on his solo albums,the gretsch theory,and fans criticising his guitar sound.

The Shadows Internet community is a wonderful thing. We have made friends with people we never realised existed. But we've kind of forgotten our place. We have individual voices and are all critics.

I'm going to be very honest. Some people don't like me for talking like this, it makes them uncomfortable, but I'm not afraid of speaking from the heart.

Between the ages of about 18 and 25 I was very lucky with music, but I was only ever a lucky fan. I've been guilty of being starstruck when around my heroes, even when playing onstage with them. At times I didn't do myself any favours, and I think my wide-eyed enthusiasm irritated some of the people I looked up to the most (I'm still not sure what I would say to Hank if I met him now. If he would remember me he'd probably think 'oh hell, not him'). I never wanted to act arrogant enough to assume that I was anywhere near the level that some others might have tried to claim. I just enjoyed the moment and tried to do a good enough job.

We are fans and they are the recording stars... and there's a reason for that. They're the most talented people in the world in their field and we are the consumers. They came up with the concept in the late fifties. They created the sound. They became our heroes. We bought the records and then some of us tried to copy in our bands, in our Shadows clubs, and to backing tracks. Yet we somehow become armchair critics, speaking publicly as though we've got some sort of authority, as if we're a talent show judge ready to hit our red 'X' button to say 'it's a "no" from me'.

All this, in spite of the fact that if any one of us was able to produce a CD that was half as well-produced as even our least favourite Shadows/Hank album it would be the achievement of our lives, our magnum opus.

The reason we're all here is because of The Shadows. Many of us supported Bruce with ShadowMania. It was presented wonderfully behind the scenes by Dave Wynn and ESP Production, and, combined with Bruce's selection of material, the whole extravaganza felt fresh and exciting. One massive aspect of its success was that it was steeped in nostalgia... and that's one big reason why we loved it. Bruce's band, though, would occasionally play a new instrumental version of a song he had liked for a long time, and it would invariably receive a great reception. Even when he sang a new song for us, with an arrangement that felt nothing like the early Shads material, we'd love it. The same doesn't seem to apply to Hank's new material. He is inexplicably slated by some people before they've even heard a note.

We've all matured and become better at what we do, and Hank's had sixty years to learn and hone his craft. None of us do our job in exactly the same way as we did when we were 19. We become sharper, more able, and more professional, and we hope that others recognise our advancement. In Hank's case, thanks to social media we've been given a glimpse of the recording process as 'Without a Word' took shape. It must seem massively underwhelming to devote yourself to a project and see some judge and disregard it before it's even released.

I owe everything, including my simple little career in performance, to Hank Marvin and The Shadows. I hope I will always improve. I don't want people to come up to me in 20 or 30 years' time and tell me that they thought I was a better guitarist when I was 23.

I will be there in support of my heroes, flying their flag, and enjoying their music while there are people that would criticise merely because they aren't hearing the next Gonzales or Find Me a Golden Street, with aggressive pick attack, jangly rhythm guitar and full, punchy basslines. We can't relive the early sixties. Those 19 year-olds are now 75, and Hank is still making music for us. He doesn't have to. History will always hold him in the highest regard because of his influence and because of his whole career. Just look at the comments underneath any YouTube video featuring his guitar playing. His ability and expression are still acknowledged by millions. I hope there is never a point when he sees feedback online and decides to throw his hands in the air and say 'stuff it, then, you ungrateful bunch, that's all you're getting from me'. The man is a legend and he deserves to feel that his work is appreciated. We're supposed to be his fans.

Maybe I'll be labelled a sycophant, but while that red Strat still speaks with that expressive, echo-laden voice, I will always love it... no matter what the tune title might be.

Oops, is that a rant? Sorry, not sorry.

J

[cockroach]

Justin

I don't think any of us are knocking Hank, either as a person, or as a player....and everyone also appreciates that he is still playing and recording and active musically, and long may he continue.

As far as I am aware, it's simply that some people - many of whom have been very long term loyal fans and consistent buyers of the recordings are often disappointed with some of the material chosen and included on his modern releases...also, nobody is knocking his skill, talent and taste, which are exemplary, as I'm sure you would agree..nor the audio production of his recordings, which again, is excellent..

[emielvisser48]

Hi Cockroach,

I agree with you and that was exactly what I meant by starting this topic

Regards,
Emiel

[PeterfromBerlin]

Hi Geoffrey,

thanks for declaring my point of view as "utterly nonsense".

I'm under the impression that you don't want to tolerate my thoughts. I only expressed my thoughts, not more and not less.
To me, there are some 'magic' moments on nearly every Shadows album, but the number of them decreased after DWTS.The magic returned with the M,W&F albums, I still enjoy listening to them, but they don't feature any instrumentals.
Please consider that this thread started because of Hank's or the record company's choice of material for his forthcoming album. No one doubted Hank's or the other Shadows' musical skills.

[jim w]

Hi Justin agree with all you said just hope I'm around in 30years time to hear that you are still performing make sure you have room for me

[emielvisser48]

Hi Justin,

I really do understand that you like what is produced by The Shadows and Hank and that you feel that is your example.
To me that was also the case when I started playing guitar and as so many with us, it began with Apache.
I build my guitars, tube echo's and amps and I still play those tunes.
But what I don't understand "slavishly" liking everything is produced by a person.
I like compositions by Mozart and Beethoven, but I do not find everything nice. That is what I and some others meant.
The fact that it seems Hank abandoned this site because he didn't like some reactions disappoints me.

I never meant to offend or what ever, I just gave my opinion.
I respect your opinion, it would be nice if that is mutual, not only to me, but also to those with their opinion.

Regards,
Emiel

[kipper]

A few years back I asked Hank about internet forums, He wasn't too happy about Luke warm reviews on his solo albums,the gretsch theory,and fans criticising his guitar sound.

The Shadows Internet community is a wonderful thing. We have made friends with people we never realised existed. But we've kind of forgotten our place. We have individual voices and are all critics.

I'm going to be very honest. Some people don't like me for talking like this, it makes them uncomfortable, but I'm not afraid of speaking from the heart.

Between the ages of about 18 and 25 I was very lucky with music, but I was only ever a lucky fan. I've been guilty of being starstruck when around my heroes, even when playing onstage with them. At times I didn't do myself any favours, and I think my wide-eyed enthusiasm irritated some of the people I looked up to the most (I'm still not sure what I would say to Hank if I met him now. If he would remember me he'd probably think 'oh hell, not him'). I never wanted to act arrogant enough to assume that I was anywhere near the level that some others might have tried to claim. I just enjoyed the moment and tried to do a good enough job.

We are fans and they are the recording stars... and there's a reason for that. They're the most talented people in the world in their field and we are the consumers. They came up with the concept in the late fifties. They created the sound. They became our heroes. We bought the records and then some of us tried to copy in our bands, in our Shadows clubs, and to backing tracks. Yet we somehow become armchair critics, speaking publicly as though we've got some sort of authority, as if we're a talent show judge ready to hit our red 'X' button to say 'it's a "no" from me'.

All this, in spite of the fact that if any one of us was able to produce a CD that was half as well-produced as even our least favourite Shadows/Hank album it would be the achievement of our lives, our magnum opus.

The reason we're all here is because of The Shadows. Many of us supported Bruce with ShadowMania. It was presented wonderfully behind the scenes by Dave Wynn and ESP Production, and, combined with Bruce's selection of material, the whole extravaganza felt fresh and exciting. One massive aspect of its success was that it was steeped in nostalgia... and that's one big reason why we loved it. Bruce's band, though, would occasionally play a new instrumental version of a song he had liked for a long time, and it would invariably receive a great reception. Even when he sang a new song for us, with an arrangement that felt nothing like the early Shads material, we'd love it. The same doesn't seem to apply to Hank's new material. He is inexplicably slated by some people before they've even heard a note.

We've all matured and become better at what we do, and Hank's had sixty years to learn and hone his craft. None of us do our job in exactly the same way as we did when we were 19. We become sharper, more able, and more professional, and we hope that others recognise our advancement. In Hank's case, thanks to social media we've been given a glimpse of the recording process as 'Without a Word' took shape. It must seem massively underwhelming to devote yourself to a project and see some judge and disregard it before it's even released.

I owe everything, including my simple little career in performance, to Hank Marvin and The Shadows. I hope I will always improve. I don't want people to come up to me in 20 or 30 years' time and tell me that they thought I was a better guitarist when I was 23.

I will be there in support of my heroes, flying their flag, and enjoying their music while there are people that would criticise merely because they aren't hearing the next Gonzales or Find Me a Golden Street, with aggressive pick attack, jangly rhythm guitar and full, punchy basslines. We can't relive the early sixties. Those 19 year-olds are now 75, and Hank is still making music for us. He doesn't have to. History will always hold him in the highest regard because of his influence and because of his whole career. Just look at the comments underneath any YouTube video featuring his guitar playing. His ability and expression are still acknowledged by millions. I hope there is never a point when he sees feedback online and decides to throw his hands in the air and say 'stuff it, then, you ungrateful bunch, that's all you're getting from me'. The man is a legend and he deserves to feel that his work is appreciated. We're supposed to be his fans.

Maybe I'll be labelled a sycophant, but while that red Strat still speaks with that expressive, echo-laden voice, I will always love it... no matter what the tune title might be.

Oops, is that a rant? Sorry, not sorry.

J

i agree with what you have written . peter