Wonderful Land

[cygnetshadow]

I believe that Wonderful Land was recorded on 12.5.1961, so that Thursday 12.5.2011 will mark the 50th anniversary of Jerry Lordan's masterpiece.

I should not like this landmark to pass without comment or notice. If I'm wrong about the date would Jim, George or some other kind soul put the record straight (terrible pun fully intended!)

Best wishes all, Stephen

[JimN]

According to Roberto Pistolesi's database of Cliff / Shadows recordings (gleaned directly from the EMI archives), Wonderful Land - or at least, most of the Shadows' contribution to it - was indeed recorded on 12th May 1961.

Here's an extract:

Wonderful Land - 12 May 1961 - The Shadows - A-side DB 4790 Take 13
Wonderful Land - 12 May 1961 - The Shadows - Everything Of Value Master no strings
Wonderful Land - 12 May 1961 - The Shadows - The Shadows/Abbey Road 2 Takes 8
Wonderful Land - 12 May 1961 - The Shadows - The Shadows/Abbey Road 2 Takes 9

There may be a little duplication there - the version on the single (and on the "Greatest Hits" LP, "Wonderful Land Of The Shadows" EP, etc) is the same as the version listed as "Master - no strings". The strings, and Tony Meehan's floor tom, were added later in the year.

JN

[JimN]

Another (for me) significant fiftieth anniversary occurs on May 20th...

It was on that date in 1961 that I first remember seeing The Shadows on television, when they appeared on the ABC TV programme "Thank Your Lucky Stars", promoting The Frightened City.

I had just become interested in guitar music after being captivated by the singles Apache and Because They're Young (Duane Eddy), which were in the pile of records kept behind the bar in my parents' Liverpool pub. This was before the jukebox became such a staple feature of the British pub, and I used to sneak down into the bar when the pub was closed and play those and other records, though quietly. I bet my mum knew I was down there, but she never said anything.

The Shads' appearance on TYLS was in the earliest days of their use of matching red guitars. It must have just postdated the photography for the sleeve of their first LP (not due out for another five months) and the visual effect, as has been stated before, was sensational, even in black and white. You can always tell Fiesta Red, even in monochrome photography!

JN

[StuartD]

Hi Jim

You are quite correct. You can always identify Fiesta Red in monochrome!!

Regards

Stuart

[Paul Childs]

Hi Jim

You are quite correct. You can always identify Fiesta Red in monochrome!!

Regards

Stuart

Did you know that The Lone Ranger's mask was grey when he was filmed in monochrome, they said it showed better on black & white.
but in colour he used a black one.

[noelford]

Did you know that The Lone Ranger's mask was grey when he was filmed in monochrome, they said it showed better on black & white.
but in colour he used a black one.

Yes, and yellow reproduced better for white, hence you may discover amongst old movie props, a Stars and Stripes flag made in Red Yellow and Blue.

[Mikey]

Anyone remember "Emergency Ward 10" with Charles Tingwell and Jill Brown on TV back in the early 60s?
I read somewhere that the doctors' white coats were actually yellow because it showed up more white!

[nivram106]

We learn so much on this site, The Lone Ranger, Emergency Ward 10!! it's not just the music, I wonder what Hanks multi colour jacket would look like in black and white!!

Regards to all
Jim

[John M]

Snooker in monochrome?

"And for those of you watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green" (famous quote from ???)

[Arpeggio]

Ah yes...."Pot Black". LOL. I also seem to recall there was an early Match Of The Day when some clueless commentator was remarking on the different coloured football strips for people watching in monochrome!!

Back to "Wonderful Land". As Jim says, the bulk (if not all) of the 'main' track was completed on May 12th. Tony Meehan overdubbed his distinctive floor tom - tom part on July 6th, 1961. The final brass and orchestral parts weren't recorded until January 18th 1962. Jerry Lordan's original working title for his masterpiece was "Genesis". "Wonderful Land" still holds the record for the most weeks at No.1 (8) for a guitar - led instrumental release. To be quite honest, i can't see that particular record ever being broken.

Bests....Rob