London's Not Too Far

[manofmystery]

Why did Hank record this as a solo track (and not with The Shadows), also why did they use a Shadows track as the B side and not one of his own. Anyone have any idea.

[Arpeggio]

Hi Paul,
I don't know the precise reason. As the track was released in January, 1968 then it must have been recorded in late 1967 when there were (at that point in time) definitely no plans for the Shadows to split up. A few years ago Hank told me that he was inspired to write "London's Not Too Far" by the Beatles' "She's Leaving Home" - which, of course, was on the Sgt Pepper album released in the summer of 1967. Obviously Hank wanted to use an orchestra on the track. I suspect (but this is only an 'educated' guess) that Hank wanted to record the track ASAP after writing it. Probably (pure supposition) - it could have been credited to the Shadows but I reckon that John Rostill, Bruce Welch and Brian Bennett may have been away on holiday at the time & therefore temporarily unavailable for recording purposes. So Hank did his bit & used session players. Curiously, although it was credited as Hank Marvin solo (which it was) - he did perform it on TOTP with the Shadows 'backing' him. If anyone else has any further info then please do 'chip in'.

Best wishes,

Rob

[manofmystery]

Thanks for that. I've often wondered. I wonder what the other Shadows thought with Hank having the A side and the group being relegated to the B side.

Regards

Paull

[Moderne]

Brian Bennett had already released a solo single (Canvas c/w Slippery Jim de Grize) from his Change of Direction LP when Hank's 'London's Not Too Far' disc came out so presumably the group as awhole didn't have aproblem with solo projects. I don't think Running Out of World was ever intended to be an A-side, and the other Split '67 song I Can't Forget wasn't released at all in this country at the time.
Talking of London's not Too Far, I've often wondered why side 1 of the Rarities LP - which is all Hank's solo stuff from '69-'70 - was credited to 'The Shadows' on the label, despite John Friesen saying in Mike Read's book that they would have been clobbered by Trades Descriptions for not crediting Hank! It does say 'Hank Marvin and The Shadows' on the front cover but it's not otherwise clear which tracks are by him solo and which are by The Shadows. A minor point, I admit, but interesting nonetheless!

Clive

[AlanMcKillop]

There was a least one other TV appearance by The Shads playing LNTF, the name of which escapes me at the moment.