Is it legitimate to use non-Hank tunes?

[John Boulden]

Here's one for Shads club members.

How legitimate is it to use non-Hank tunes?

We have a couple of players at our Surrey club who produce some delightful renditions of old classic and popular tunes using BTs from the web - and play the lead as HBM would.

I would consider myself a Hank purist. For me, adding extra notes or tremolo waggles that aren't in the original is a no no. But that only applies to stuff of Hank's that you are copying and want to sound exactly like the original. But there's something about putting your own HBM style on different numbers that definitely appeals. Personally I think this is OK and perfectly legit. Although the Shadows canon is extensive, there are many tunes that are either beyond your average player or are just not exciting enough. Even on HBM's solo albums he has covered many super songs but some of them just don't appeal (to me anyway). And there are only so many times you can play Wonderful Land etc.

Inspired by those couple of our players who have followed this route, I have just found a lovely simple backing track to Danny Boy (Same one that Gary uses on the TVS Jukebox) and I have worked out how I think HBM would play it. Trouble is, I didn't think the chorus was dramatic enough so I added a fuzz box and play that bit a la Gary Moore ( A bit like Ecca has done in his Danny Boy video) and I really really like it. I have played it over the phone to a couple of club members and they have said to go for it. So I am going to give it to a go at our next club night.

So here I am, running a Shads club and about to play a number that the Shads never recorded and worse, contains two Gary Moore type choruses.

Can I get away with it?

What do other club members think?

John Boulden

[kipper]

yes without a doute. i think hank himself would agree peter

[John Boyd]

John,
Of course you can get away with it. The Shadows did record Danny Boy - check out their version of Londonderry Air.
Cheers,
JB

[AlanMcKillop]

You should check out Roger Allcock and Robbo's backing track CD's, plenty non Shads stuff there.

[martcaster]

Hello, John,
I read your posting with great interest and am a little ambiguous about how I feel about this one. Firstly, just to correct you (ever so slightly ) The Shads released Londonderry Air (Danny Boy) in Japan in 1967 and it's now available on various compilations via Leo's Den. As to interpretations, I'm convinced that guitarists should be 'allowed' to stray from the path of total authenticity where the circumstances permit. For instance, at a club meeting, when playing to a BT, why not? It's not harming anyone, no-one should take offence, unless it's an obvious p-take. I'll bet if Hank (or Bruce) were in attendance they wouldn't mind in the least. Where I think that dedication to authenticity is the overriding factor is where a group of players present themselves as a 'tribute' to the Shads' sound, particularly to an audience of like minded souls. There, I would suggest, the audience is listening for/expecting to hear a faithful reproduction of the recording(s) in question. Sometimes, of course, it's not possible to do that completely and so the group must play the song in a manner which suggests that "this is as close to the record as we can get in a live situation"....particularly where no recording exists of The Shads playing the tune 'live'. At least, that's the argument that LegEnd have always proposed when it's been suggested that some of our interpretations were not wholly authentic to the record.
My advice would be (particularly at regular club meetings)...play 'em how you feel 'em. And if anybody wants to hear the record....then play the record! My admiration for all of The Shads' work is unswerving (though I still shy away when I hear The Skye Boat Song!!!) but we must be 'allowed' some artistic interpretation, otherwise let's just meet up and play the records (no bad thing in itself!)
Love to all,
Mart.

[Risky]

At the Hankies meeting in Great Wyrley (every Tuesday except last Tuesday in the month) you can play whatever you want

Only Ecca plays note-perfect Shadows numbers (albeit with lots of distortion and volume)

In any case, if we don't like what you are playing then Mr Bakewell may well force you to stop using his not-so-secret weapon

Phil

[alanbakewell]

Just needs oiling a bit.

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[noelford]

Shadows music simply inspires me to play the guitar. Sometimes I might play quite close to the original, often I will put my own spin on the number, and I play loads of none Shads instrumentals in what I would call the Shads melodic style. For me, Shads music is a catalyst, not a formula.

[JimTidmarsh]

Noel - I couldn't agree more !!!!

[Amanda]

Hi,

It's nice to hear different tunes, I was talking to someone who
is known in Shadowmusic circles
on the phone the other night and he said he gets
fed up of hearing the standard Shads tunes like Apache again and again.

I know Ecca raises eyebrows at Shadows clubs with his "original" renditions!

As for playing it exactly as it was first recorded, again it's nice to hear different
takes on a tune, also in the beginning some people can't manage all the
tricks of the trade, like pitch bending and volume pedals.

Now who's for "The Deerhunter" ala Gary Moore?

Amanda