Reunion - Cliff - how arrogant

[Stratpicker]

Hi Brian
I was only pointing it out tongue in cheek or you might have had the 'Spelling Police' writing in - LOL!!

John Clark on the YouTube video- - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFVbP5_4rgY
Thats the Boy!! Same two tone green/blue -er - "sunburst" Strat. Awesome player. He can really Rock it and also play superbly smoothly and sensitively. He''s been with Cliff for donkeys years as part of his regular "band" and I THINK he is now Cliffs Musical Director, but I'm sure someone like Kitty or Angelique can put us right on that.
cheers and Happy New Year to you too
Ian

[Hank2k]

John Clark is a great guitar player, even his "Hank" sound is pretty good but its his rock stuff that is incredible. His solo on shake rattle and roll from the event is incredible

[Stratpicker]

Hi Steve
This is turning into a John Clark thread - LOL!! Thanks for the tip on Shake Rattle and Roll
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L-82XTMii4
Just listen that Solo - effortless!!
John Clark is always recogniseable by his peaked cap, if not his amazing guitar talent.
cheers
ian

[AngeliqueNL]

Hi Ian

John Clark has been playing with Cliff since early 1980 if my memory is right.
He is however not his MD that's the keyboard player Keith Hayman.

Interesting conversation this is by the way ...
Of course we are entitled to have our own views and opinion as long as we show a little respect for both the singer that has been succesful for over 50 years and people whom may or may not like him. I have been in the position where I've met all Shadows as well as Cliff many times over the last 21 years and all I can say is they are all human! At all the concert Tours I attended he has always spoken about the Shads with great respect, I really think his comment has been misunderstood...
I mean if we start talking about a comment like this one, then why not get annoyed with Hanks comment on the Final Tour DVD about Bruce's guitar playing on the accoustic... where he says he hasn't played it for years and Hank's reaction to that is "sounds like it"... I mean it's all joking around and to be honest I am glad they do even though it's the same joke night after night
Come on people, these guys know what they are doing and know how to handle each others jokes or comments.
But, of course this is just my humble opinion!

I by the way LOVE the Reunion DVD and have already watched it over and over again, the quality I think is great (sound and vision) however it's a shame that it was recorded this early on in the Tour ... a European concert would have been a nice change for a DVD recording, but also the guys looked a lot more relaxed and were joking and fooling around more often at the 4 European shows I attended. But, once again my humble opinion...

HaPpY New Year everyone!

Cheers
@ngelique

[dobroman]

Hi Ian,

Yes, I had realised your comment about my spelling was tongue in cheek, but it is always nice to have your name spelt correctly!!!!

I see what is meant about the solo in Shake, Rattle and Roll . . . excellent.

Thanks for the info on John Clark, Angelique. He is also recognisable by his guitar position!

That almost prompts another thread . . . favourable guitar positions . . . advantages and disadvantages.

Regards to All

Brian

[Stratpicker]

QUite so Brian - very distinctive guitar position - angled at about 30 degrees from the horizontal and quite high on the chest.
Not as high though as Gerry of Gerry and The Pacemakers or John McNally of The Searchers with his Hofner Club 40 in the early 60's. I tried that (as you do when following your (then) Heros) and found that it did help give that characteristic rhythm striking that was the Merseybeat trademark but bugger all use when playing a Lead as the angle of the elbow was all wrong.
Never quite sure why the 'kids' of today wear guitars around their thighs - maybe its a testosterone thing - but for sure the position is only good for vamping chords. Maybe thats all they can do!
cheers
ian
ps - Angelique - is it Keith Hayman responsible for the incredible arrangments that Cliff has used (like those mentioned above) in the past??

[AngeliqueNL]

Hi Ian & Brian
During the time of Shake Rattle & Roll which was 1989 Cliff's MD was Alan Park (Keyboards) and later Paul Moessl, I think Paul took over in the earl 90's. I'm not sure who was responsible, but John has done some great solo's over the years, I'm pretty sure it was John's own arrangements as I seem to remember Cliff mentioning something about John's arrangements in 1992 when he said something on stage like doesn't he do a great job.
There is a little story and rumour about the position of John's guitar. They say and joke about the fact that every night in those early days before they went on stage they changed the strap of his guitar a little bit as a joke. As he wasn't complaining they kept on doing so and this is the result.
I think this is a joke, but who knows it might be the truth.
Maybe JJ can give us some more insight info when it comes to John's playing?

Cheers
Angel

[AlanMcKillop]

Did you know that Mark Griffiths played lead guitar before John Clark joined the band? and do you know why Mark changed to playing bass guitar?

[Pedro]

Did you know that Mark Griffiths played lead guitar before John Clark joined the band? and do you know why Mark changed to playing bass guitar?

Knew Mark Griffiths played Lead but did not know why he changed to playing Bass.

I have a feeling you are going to tell us.

[AngeliqueNL]

Hi @lan!
Yes I am aware of the fact that Mark started of as Cliff's guitar player. I think he joined the band just before John Clark and seem to remember John's first Tour was the American Tour, but I could be completely wrong, would have to check some tapes to be certain. Sorry guys I'm too young to remember this sort of info I'm sure I read the whole story somewhere, but where? ...