Legendary Guitarist Hank Marvin performs..

[BrianD]

I really applaud Hank in his desire to bring a style of music he clearly loves to a wider audience. Forty five years ago when I started playing I remember my mother saying I should listen to Django and his recordings from the Hot Club de Paris. At the time apart from Shads music I was into Hendrix, Cream, Peter Green etc and took no notice of what my mother recommended! Today I have quite a collection of gypsy jazz music as well as many other genres, the Hendrix, Cream and Peter Green rarely gets listened to, which, imho, demonstrates how tastes change and mature as one gets older. As a player I am sure Hank's tastes have matured as well and I am sure he wants to move away from a style he created as a teenager to appeal to other teenagers of the day. Having said that I agree that it is amazing how that style has stood the test of time. Nevertheless, I think Hank should be true to himself in what he wants to play and I am sure he doesn't need to worry about the commercial aspects of playing big tours and venues.

I personally feel the gypsy jazz style is much better suited to small clubs rather than big theatres - let's face it that's where Django played - small, smokey clubs in Paris! During the past twelve years I have been fortunate to see some world class players including Martin Taylor, Tommy Emanuel, John Renbourne, Gordon Giltrap, and many more playing in Coiolham Village Hall - seating maximum of 70, at Jim Sullivan's monthly jazz club. At the beginning of October we had Jerry Donnahue and in ten days we have Dave Kelly and Maggie Bell - all fantastic musicians playing in a small local club environment. That is where Hank should bring his gypsy jazz band - a small smokey club - without the smoke!!! If he did so I am sure he would win over many new fans and he wouldn't be bombarded with pleas for Apache and FBI!!

Brian

[geoff1711]

But if Hank is trying to be more commercial and appeal to a wider audience than a dwindling pool of Baby Boomers, why go for an even older style of music which is even more of a niche market than what he already does?

No I think he just likes it, he likes playing to an audience, he is probably financialy secure and so at a time when most of us retire he's endulging his passion, nothing wrong with that at all, good luck to him, and if he can put some bums on seats and cover the cost, even make a profit so much the better, I just won't be one of those bums.

On a slightly different note how many are going to see Quo at the O2?

Geoff