Jet's last Shadows EMI sessions

[chronikman-ch]

I wonder if the more knowledgable fans on the board might be able to help with the following questions.
When was Guitar Tango recorded with Jet ?

The EMI archives database I have doesn't give a date for the "Jet" version of Guitar Tango. But Jet left the Shadows on Sunday 15th April 1962 (the day of the NME Pollwinner's Concert), which means it had to be (just) before that.

I read an interview from just before Jet left that stated a spanish style instrumental (presumably Guitar Tango) or a vocal track were likely to be the next single. Was that by any chance The Bandit ?

It was Guitar Tango. It was intended as the next single and would probably have been issued earlier, but the Shadows' whole operation was dislocated in the middle of 1962 by the parting with Jet, whose name was, until then, on every contract, including the one with EMI. The Shadows would never have issued The Bandit as a single (I hope). But it was recorded with Jet, on 26th April 1962. [Sorry - that should have been 26th January 1962.]

Were tracks such as Summer Holiday re-recorded because it would simplify the film contracts or because the performances weren't up to scratch and do these attempts survive ?

Summer Holiday was not recorded with Jet. The first takes of the track were done on 5th May 1962, with overdubs (presumably orchestral and/or celeste) made the same day.

I've seen other tracks mentioned as having been attempted with Jet (The Boys ?) but completely re-recorded with Licorice (as opposed to overdubbed with harmonica). Anyone know which songs or does this remain a grey area ?

Guitar Tango was completely re-recorded with Licorice on bass. Tracks which featured Jet which were issued after he left included The Bandit, What A Lovely Tune, Cosy, Perfidia, South Of The Border, Tales Of A Raggy Tramline and (surprisingly, perhaps) the single version of All Day.

The Boys was not recorded with Jet. The track features Licorice, though the EMI archive lists its recording date (16th May 1962) as a re-make or overdubbing session.

Has there ever been a definitive listing of The Shads EMI sessions that detail such items as well as take numbers etc. ?

Not really.

thanks for your help.

JN

From my Day by Day collection
26. January 1962 Friday(Day 1210 in The Shadows history since 5.10.1958/Week 173) The Shadows: Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Jet Harris, Brian Bennett
NME 26.1.1962
The Shadows at the Abbey Road Studio 2 recording
THE BANDIT and SPRING IS NEARLY HERE (It’s Nearly Springs)
hmr

[Arpeggio]

Refs: Posts #12 and #13 - I think that Jim (again) has 'hit the nail on the head'. Mistakes and errors do creep in to even big organisations. Jim is assuredly correct that the session dated 27 / 4 / 1962 must be erroneous insofar as the date is concerned. It would indeed be highly unlikely that the Shadows would travel all the way down from Liverpool to do the session and then travel all the way back to Liverpool on the same day in time to be ready for the evening performance. No motorways in those days and steam still ruled the railways... a clerical error. Not unknown.....remember those contracts featuring those famous Shadows Hank Karvin, Tony Meecham, Brian Benet, John Rostell and Bruce Welsh? They're out there believe me. After years of researching archives myself - I suspect the following scenario. Because Jet was the only Shadow above the age of majority at the time (21). He was the group's only legal signatory on their contracts (were not talking managerial here - but representing the group's own interests). I know for a fact that Eddie Jarrett (legal adviser) was hauled over the coals by the BBC because neither he nor the Shadows management had informed them that Jet had left the group - which meant that it caused huge problems for them. The Head Of Light Entertainment and their own legal department sent out a very stern letter and received a grovelling apology. Famously, the BBC only realised that Jet had quit - nearly 2 months later when a 'junior aide' read something about Jet's forthcoming solo single in the NME!! Now....I would think that EMI were informed sooner than 2 months - but 3 weeks isn't impossible. I am therefore surmising that Eddie Jarrett thought Peter Gormley would deal with it and vice - versa. Result? Whoever typed up the contract (or session sheet) simply referred to the previous Cliff / Shadows information and unwittingly typed in Jet's name. Thereafter it became enshrined as 'absolute truth' - as no - one (until now) would have any reason whatsoever to doubt / challenge it. I've often wondered about it down the years. Given the circumstances under which Jet stormed out / was 'sacked' (whichever way you care to look at it) and given the personalities involved....I can't imagine that Jet would have been there on May 5th. Thus...my belief (like Jim) is that it WAS Lic on the session....but Jet's name is (erroneously) on the documentation (for reasons which I have outlined).

Rob

[GoldenStreet]

...I can't imagine that Jet would have been there on May 5th. Thus...my belief (like Jim) is that it WAS Lic on the session....but Jet's name is (erroneously) on the documentation (for reasons which I have outlined).

Rob

Thanks, Rob, sound logic indeed.

I would just reiterate Vic Rust's statement in his Shadows Recording Catalogue that Lic is present at the 5th May session, and Jet on the 1st May - supposedly, rightly or wrongly, his final one with the group.

Bill

[Iain Purdon]

There is no doubt in my mind that Lic is on the 5th May session. The style is his.

[Arpeggio]

Speaking of compounded errors! Plus....I should have thanked Ash too (Thanks Ash!). Yes.....Lic was there on May 5th. May 1st is the date in question.....so plz apply all of my points to May 1st & not May 5th. D'Oh!!

Rob

(Viz: Lic, in all probability, played on the May 1st, 1962 session - Jet's name being on the session details in error -as previously explained. Thus....someone would have then amended the contract / session details by May 5th - but, for some secretarial, clerical reason / oversight or legal technicality (who knows!!?) - the information was not retrospectively corrected for May 1st

[Arpeggio]

Thanks Bill, thanks Iain. You both got in just before I corrected myself!! Yes....refs May 1st...it was the ridiculous BBC scenario which made me think!

Rob

[chronikman-ch]

IIRC, Licorice told me that All Day was written with a certain day in mind, the day in question being the one in Athens when the Shadows were filmed wearing traditional Greek dress for the final scene of "Summer Holiday". He said that it took "all day" for the filming to be completed. The Shads stood around for the whole day in those costumes. Lic couldn't remember whether the composition of the tune itself began that day whilst the group were waiting with the bouzoukis (a romantic thought, perhaps, but feasible) or whether the mere memory of the day inspired the tune at a later date.

Hope that doesn't throw too big a spanner in the works...

J

My error (just shows you that copying stuff out manually from window to window isn't always the best way to proceed). According to the Hayes archives, All Day was first attempted on 27 April 1962 (which is after Jet left). But it cannot be right. That's because on Friday 27th April 1962, The Shadows were playing in a week's variety at the Liverpool Empire (along with Jackie Trent, Frank Ifield, Daley & Wayne and others), helped out on rhythm guitar by Checkmate Peter Carter because Bruce was ill. I was there on Tuesday 24th.

So... the much-vaunted EMI studio archive is wrong. Well, it's wrong unless the Shadows (including an ailing Bruce, who was still being replaced the following weekend) drove down to London following the Thursday night Empire show, did some recording and then got back to Liverpool in time for the Friday show.

Let's see... the next recording date for All Day is 17th August, listed as "unissued" (until the 1997 CD "The Shadows At Abbey Road", that is). Then there's another version on 21st November, which is annotated "B-side?". Incidentally, the same session produced an unissued version of Foot Tapper and an untitled tune (which also was presumably never issued).

Does anyone know the approximate date of the filming (in Athens) of the final "Summer Holiday" sequence?

JN

16. Juni 1962 Saturday
(Day 1351 in The Shadows history since 5.10.1958 / Week 193) The Shadows: Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Brian Locking, Brian Bennett
The Shadows fly to Geeece to join Cliff and film their part in ‘Summer Holiday’ ccc
Hank says: Arrived late on Saturday night-too late to go anywhere excent bed (Melody Maker 30.June 1962)
(Hotel in Glyfelda Beach, Athen)

[GoldenStreet]

Thanks Bill, thanks Iain. You both got in just before I corrected myself!! Yes....refs May 1st...it was the ridiculous BBC scenario which made me think!

Rob

Rob - You're not, by any chance, an England cricket follower?? That's the type of distraction sufficient to addle the soundest of minds, but then we should be well used to it by now!

Bill

[Iain Purdon]

I've now listened to Cliff's Take Special Care as recorded on 1st May 1962 to see what my ears tell me. The bass part is quite similar to what you hear in the Shadows' Kinda Cool and has that staccato thud so typical of Lic's recorded sound in those days. I'd say that's Lic, not Jet. Jet could easily have played exactly the same notes but I'd have expected a bit more bottom end and a bit more sustain.

[GoldenStreet]

As that track is the only current evidence we have from the session, I reckon you could well be right. Certainly, also taking into account the researches of Rob and Jim, etc., it has to be highly unlikely Jet was present that day.

Bill