Rocking with curly leeds

[drakula63]

Spider Juice and Honourable Puff-Puff would have made great singles (in my opinion). My favourite Shads cover version, Superstar, was, I believe, recorded for Specs Appeal but held over until Tasty in 1977. Those albums from the '70s (Shades of Rock, Rockin' with Curly Leads, Specs Appeal, Paris Olympia and Tasty) really are faultless and should really be in everyone's record collection. I can honestly say that I never grow tired of hearing them (especially on vinyl).

[captainhaddock]

Spider Juice and Honourable Puff-Puff would have made great singles (in my opinion). My favourite Shads cover version, Superstar, was, I believe, recorded for Specs Appeal but held over until Tasty in 1977. Those albums from the '70s (Shades of Rock, Rockin' with Curly Leads, Specs Appeal, Paris Olympia and Tasty) really are faultless and should really be in everyone's record collection. I can honestly say that I never grow tired of hearing them (especially on vinyl).

You have taken the words out of my mouth. What a shame that with the possible exception of "Change Of Address" , "Guardian Angel" and a few tracks after that, The Shadows didn't seem to achieve those standards of excellence again.

[Fenderman]

Wasn't Gracie the name of John Farrar's wife?

No.

Can you respond to my question about the source of your comment "i don't think the other Shads have a high regard for it now"?

Years ago i read a review in Record Collector for 'Rockin....'. The reviewer mentioned that he mentioned it to Bruce in an interview and Bruce dismissed it with a curt 'Let's move on!'. Obviously didn't think it was worth talking about! Maybe i worded my comment wrongly and should have typed 'Bruce dosen't hold it in high regard'.

[bgohara]

in my humble opinion, I think that this album probably has the most inventive 'guitar playing' on it - John Farrar and Hank bouncing off each other....I really admire the skill and musicianship in these tracks and it is very 'original'. but, I have to be honest, I don't listen to it very often as I do find some of it a bit hard to listen to - a lot of it is not very 'melodic' to me. I love the playing, say on something like gutbucket, jack input and wide mouthed frog - and there are moments of melody on there like turn around and touch me (I actually really like what they did with good vibrations) - but I'd probably rather listen to the first album, or sound of the shadows.....
some of the cover versions are not that bad, you know!

[Old Wild Men]

Wasn't Gracie the name of John Farrar's wife?

No.

Can you respond to my question about the source of your comment "i don't think the other Shads have a high regard for it now"?

Years ago i read a review in Record Collector for 'Rockin....'. The reviewer mentioned that he mentioned it to Bruce in an interview and Bruce dismissed it with a curt 'Let's move on!'. Obviously didn't think it was worth talking about! Maybe i worded my comment wrongly and should have typed 'Bruce dosen't hold it in high regard'.

Okay, thank you. If your recollection is correct then I certainly understand your comment, although I have no idea what would have prompted that remark and certainly don't recall it from any of the Record Collector interviews I have read. The recent comment Tony Hoffman solicited from Bruce regarding Rockin'... was when he praised John Farrar's contribution to that album and specifically mentioned his (John's) "great guitar synth effect in the middle eight of "Turn Around and Touch Me".

Anyone else have any input on the Record Collector interview?

[Moderne]

No, I don't recall Bruce being disparaging about "Rockin'..." and I think I've read most RC interviews and features on The Shads over the years. The only interview I recall with Hank and Bruce which concerned this LP was with John Peel in the Sounds on Sunday programme around December 1973. Both Hank and Bruce sounded very positive about the album although they commented that it was a sign of the economic times that EMI had decided to flip Turn Around and Touch Me and promote Jungle Jam as their next A-side rather than issue a new single; Hank commented that old 45s were being recycled and used as 'plastic plumbing pipes'!! Hank answered a question from a fan in one of the music papers' q+a features about how he'd played the highest note in Turn Around... by confirming that he'd tuned the 1st string up!

Clive

[Mikey]

I think Curly Leads would make a great name for a guitar hero
Ok, hand me my coat

[Shad1]

I've been watching this thread with interest for a while and want to say my bit.
Firstly, the 'fact' of the album means a lot to me: I had heard a rumour that the Shads were getting together again (bear with me).....I was on top of ladders in my brothers house putting up wallpaper and had Radio Luxembourg on - the reception (typically) was come and go......then I heard this tune from the hall and I stopped mid-paste, I knew at once I had to hear it through....brush down...huddled down to the radio.....I KNEW it was the Shads but I couldn't believe they had recorded something so 'soon' after I heard the rumour of their getting together again. It was confirmed by the presenter - 'Turn Around And Touch Me' was by the Shads. I was genuinely beside myself with excitement - they were together again!!!!!!!! And I did, and still do, love the track.

The album was a breath of fresh air (Shads wise) it had their great melodies and playing but an added dimension - what was it? John Farrar AND a move into modern (and fantastic) production techniques. Instrumentally everything came together with that album. I absolutely love it. (As I do of both MWF albums).

There we go

Malc.

[Squier Ken]

Time to stick my head above the parapet...

RWCL has always been my least favourite Shadows album. But having read all the comments on this thread I figured I must have missed something, so I brushed the dust and cobwebs off the CD and gave it a spin. Well, what do you think?

It's still my least favourite Shadows album.

But I'm glad all you guys 'n' gals out there enjoy it. Chacun à son goût, as they say.

Ken

[ecca]

I didn't like Rocking with Curlies

Et moi Ken.