Birmingham NIA Sunday

[Amanda]

Hi,

Much the same remarks as the topic about Saturday, unfortunately stuck
behind the "Cliff Standers", noticed they were videoing the show.

Strange how they all sat down when Cliff went off!

I thought that show moved up a gear when the Shads did their solo
part, they looked like they were having fun!

I didn't notice any 34346 replicas from where I was sitting though, Hank seemed to be using
"signature strats" apart from the "newspaper" one, (now that would make a good
limited edition strat!) and the green Burns 12 string.

As for Bruce apart from a short burst on his Mick Johnson Sunburst Strat,
he used 34346 all night when he wasn't on acoustic!

We left as "Move It" started, a) to avoid the rush and b) because I'd heard it several
times at the Midlands club that afternoon!

[Phil McGarrick]

I was there on Sunday - I bought a ticket at the last minute on ebay and was right near the front centre stage along with all the Cliff standers.
It was a case of joining them or feeling a prat by staying seated. In fact I quiet enjoyed it in the middle of all those nice ladies.
The show was brilliant - Cliff was much better than I expected - Note perfect for the whole show, a true professional, and so much energy.
The sound in the NIA was the best I've ever heard the Shadows - So well balanced.
Highlights for me were Travelling Light where Cliff Hank and Bruce played acoustics - The vocal harmonys were so good while Warren did a fantasic job on the accordian.
And of course Singing the blues was awesome !
Really glad I went to the NIA, although I had a senior moment on the way there and ended up at the NEC by mistake ! Duh! wondered why the car parks were empty.
The car park attendent told me I wasn't the only one who made that mistake.
Still got there in time.

Phil

[Amanda]

Hi Phil,

I saw Ian McCutcheon there and also one of our Hankies Members was two rows behind me!

[BobGreg]

I was there on Sunday too - nearly missed the show though - held up for 3, yes three hours on the M40 - managed to park nearby at the hotel and pick up keys and dashed to the NIA just across the road at 19:30! Fortunately some of the high priced packages comming via coach had rung ahead and the concert was delayed 15 minutes, so managed to see the whole show, which was absolutely superb. Even my long suffering wife (has a name for us saddows!) enjoyed it too.

Having seen the pirated O2 videos I knew roughly what to expect but to actually experience the event was something really special. The first time I saw Cliff and The Shadows was 50 years ago and my haven't they improved! Their performance was so slick and professional and having seen The Shadows on their final tour, they were on an even higher plain - partnering Cliff - they just oozed confidence and perfection and clearly gave Cliff a platform from which to excel. Paired together I realised just how much they were all at the very pinacle of their skills and just how much we have missed since they went their separate ways.

I've run out of superlatives to express my emotional experience - as I said you really do had to be there to believe what you are seeing and hearing.

I briefly met Bungle Flint (Maurice) sitting in the audience behind me at half time for a very brief chat on my way for a pit stop - my criticism of the NIA is that they need more male loos - I even kept my wife waiting this time round - this has never happened before! The seats are also not designed for anybody of normal and above sizes either! Heard these complains many times over in the time I had to queue for the loo - ladies you have my sympathy!

For those of you deciding to miss the event, your are missing the best experience of Cliff and The Shadows show of a lifetime. Fortunately although seated high at the back was not inconvenienced by the "standuppers" in the front - at least the staff had put barriers in place to stop those on the ground level from surging to the front from the back to impede those near the stage - however, not much you can do for those in the seats getting up in front of you. At least the huge screens let those at the back get a clear view of the performers and the very clever camera switching gave a superb view of Bruce, Brian and especially Hank's playing technique. The amount of clever fingering and string pulling if captured on the DVD will be a master class lesson in it's own right - superb coverage.

Sorry for going a little over the top but it was a brilliant experience - one which I'm unlikely to ever experience again. So if you get the chance to pick up a ticket then do so - you won't regret it!

[flingelbunt]

Just to confirm everything that Bob has posted- this concert was simply outstandingly superb!! ....and apologies Bob for not recognising you straight away as the lights went up at the break- good to see you!!
Several notable things to highlight were Bruce's powerhouse rhythm sound- his acoustic (I think the Mick Johnson special) added a superb cushion of sound for the band particularly- Hank's playing was outstanding as you would expect, with 'Sleepwalk' just glorious; he notably added sections of his updated version to the original which made for a beautifully emotive presentation...... Brian's drumming was soooooo tight with superb cross-beats and snappy stops adding his special dynamics to the whole combo- his new kit sounded awesome! Of particular note was the sound of Hank's 'white' custom Strat- in particular, the lower strings had a distinctly Burnsey 'honk'- anyone know anything about this? I've always enjoyed Cliff/Shads collaberations over the years, but I have to say not Cliff's between songs comments, but last night he was superb throughout, and it did have the feel of a band, rather than singer + band. The sound was top-notch and sitting as I was not far from Bob, up in the Gods (!) to the rear of the NIA every instrument was distinct- the video screens allowed you to see a lot of individual techniques, and also brought home just how 'on top of their game' these guys are!!
A superb celebration of probably the finest band and singer this country has produced!!

Maurice
Lord Flingel of Buntshire

[BobGreg]

Hi Lord Flingel of Buntshire (Maurice),

Sorry for mixing up your name - at least I was on the right track! Pity we didn't have more time to have a more extended chat but my need was greater!

I'm glad you also felt the same about the performance and thanks for adding more to my first input. It really was an exceedingly emotional event. It appears that some others did not experience the same quality of sound that we did from where we were placed. I did feel that when I got the tickets over 12 months ago that I might be disappointed about our position but this was soon dispelled when the first chord was made - superb sound. Looking forward to the DVD now!

Don't worry about not recognising me - I prefer that - I distinctly remember you as the guitarist with the biggest footpedal setup when you played at Warwick!

[suboA21]

Just to confirm everything that Bob has posted- this concert was simply outstandingly superb!! ....and apologies Bob for not recognising you straight away as the lights went up at the break- good to see you!!
Several notable things to highlight were Bruce's powerhouse rhythm sound- his acoustic (I think the Mick Johnson special) added a superb cushion of sound for the band particularly- Hank's playing was outstanding as you would expect, with 'Sleepwalk' just glorious; he notably added sections of his updated version to the original which made for a beautifully emotive presentation...... Brian's drumming was soooooo tight with superb cross-beats and snappy stops adding his special dynamics to the whole combo- his new kit sounded awesome! Of particular note was the sound of Hank's 'white' custom Strat- in particular, the lower strings had a distinctly Burnsey 'honk'- anyone know anything about this? I've always enjoyed Cliff/Shads collaberations over the years, but I have to say not Cliff's between songs comments, but last night he was superb throughout, and it did have the feel of a band, rather than singer + band. The sound was top-notch and sitting as I was not far from Bob, up in the Gods (!) to the rear of the NIA every instrument was distinct- the video screens allowed you to see a lot of individual techniques, and also brought home just how 'on top of their game' these guys are!!
A superb celebration of probably the finest band and singer this country has produced!!

Maurice
Lord Flingel of Buntshire

Maurice re- Hanks White Strat, was it the "Newspaper one played on C'mon everybody?"

I saw the o2 clip on U tube of him playing that Strat on that tune and as I mentioned in another thread, on the Album am pretty sure the bottom E is tuned down to D (as Bruce did for Argentina), and you can hear fret buzz when he does the little intro riff and hits the bottom E (D) string hence the Hank Honk

Steve

[Amanda]

Hi,

Yes it was the Newspaper strat.

Amanda

[BobGreg]

Steve,

I'm sure that Maurice will fill you in with more detail, but yes Hank did use the "White" strat on this tune - as for fret buzzing I wasn't aware of this on this particular tune at the time. I'm pretty sure that this guitar featured only on this track so clearly it was either tuned differently or had different strings thicknesses pitched at this tune only.

I have to say it really was strange to see Hank playing anything other than a Fiesta Red Strat (other than accoustic on the relevant tunes). I never did see him playing the black Strat of yesteryear - which I think his son Ben has played when supporting Hank on his individual tours.

[David Martin]

http://aberdeen.gumtree.com/aberdeen/24/40681124.html

http://living.scotsman.com/music/A-strum-to-raise-a.2574156.jp

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-13045531.html