I've been here for 16 Years

[Rjanuarsa]

As the title says been here 16 years. How time flies!

I first joined I think if I am not mistaken around 1998-1999, that was the old MSN site. I have to say I have learned a lot about Shadows music, their equipment etc and most importantly, I have made many friends from all over the world.

A big personal thanks to David Martin who made all this possible!!


Regards,

Robby

[ecca]

Nice to have met you as well Rob, I consider us to be mates, we had a tryst in Filleted Place and now our secret project as well.

[Rjanuarsa]

Likewise Ec! Nice to know you too mate.

Can't wait to hear/see the secret project

[Garystrat]

Hi Robby

I know this has been said before, but your playing and the tone you achieve has been a real inspiration for people like myself.

Would love to know a bit more about you and how you got started in this style of music.

Best regards

Gary

[Rjanuarsa]

Hi Gary,

Thanks for your very kind words!

I started playing when I was 10 by taking classical guitar lesson for about 3 years. At the same time my dad (who used to play in a "Shadows") would play cassette tape of The Shads, I was immediately struck by how good the sound was! From then on I started learning every single tunes that the Shads recorded, got all the notes correctly but the sound from my guitar was not good at all. That's when the search begins, tried everything still didn't sound right for many years. All those years I also played in a lot of bands as session guitar player both live and recordings.

In around mid 90s I found out about SCOFA run by Ian Kershaw (do you remember him?), I don't know where his is now, I hope he is well. I obtained newsletters from SCOFA, which led me to order UB Hank backing tracks from him. What a treat!! Playing all these Shads tunes with great backing music. Exciting Stuff!!

Now we get to the point why I wrote that I have been a member of this community for about 16 years. I joined ShadowMusic community (the old MSN site) around 98-99 and immediately was exposed to useful information about Hank and The Shadows. Members like David Martin, Dave Robinson, Pete Korving etc were sharing sound files, and I thought wow!! the sounds were amazing, they got all the correct echoes which I soon found out it was an Alesis Q2 (later Q20) with EFTP program in it. That also led me to get Q20 with EFTP from Charlie.

Then there are many knowledgeable people sharing information about equipment used by the Shads and all other useful information, the Meazzis, debate about guitars, strings,whether they used Gretsch on all record, every bits and pieces so to speak.
I absorb all the information I get from reading useful threads from this community and put the puzzle together for my purpose in achieving acceptable sounds. So I learned a lot from this community and making lots for friends.

Having said that, I find that as useful as it is to use the "correct" equipment to get the correct sound, How you play the guitar is much more important to get good sound.

Sorry if it's too long of an answer Gary.

Regards,
Robby

[rogera]

A very interesting reply Robbie and I think that many members here including myself will have experienced a similar sequence of events.

Since the start of the old MSN site it's been like a reawakening for those keen on playing the music of Cliff & the Shads and I'd like to second your thanks to David Martin and other influential members.

Long may it continue!

[David Martin]

You are very kind... This site, and the sterling work accomplished by its members in promoting and preserving the music of The Shadows has exceeded all my expectations. We need you young men, Robbie, to carry it forward to a new generation...

As for me, I'm still around, my playing getting slightly worse every month, but still having fun...

(And lurking...!)

[Garystrat]

Hi Robby

Not too long at all, it is a very interesting read that probably reflects the experience of many on the site!

Not as early as you, but I also joined Shadowmusic in the MSN days, your vote of thanks to David, the team and the all the members who support others is very well placed and richly deserved. He might be lurking in the background, but David seems to be casting an eye towards the future and legacy of Shadowmusic, seems like a pretty good choice to me!

Reluctantly, I have to admit that I hadn’t heard of SCOFA, but Ian Kershaw’s name rings a bell. I have looked them up and it would seem the website Ian ran closed before my interest focused on learning to play. For me the music of The Shadows and Rock N’ Roll was very much part of my teen experience and has always remained a core part of my musical interests over the years, but it wasn’t until after I took early retirement that I found the time and interest get involved in the playing side.

You are obviously very accomplished and knowledgeable, hopefully you will take up Davids “Nod and a Wink” to share more of your experience with others.

Best regards

Gary

[Rjanuarsa]

Thanks Roger and thanks Gary! I am glad my experience is similar to yours. let us enjoy the site!

Thank you again David! I know you are still around and still playing (excellently), your "Blues" band sounds fantastic!

Regards,

Robby

[David Martin]