Shadows line up - current tour with Cliff

[iefje]

Alan Jones indeed worked again with The Shadows after his commitment to the musical "Time". He played on the "Simply...Shadows" album from 1987 and the subsequent annual autumn tour. Then, he had the terrible car accident, which he fortunately survived. I think the last time he recorded with The Shadows, was for the "Steppin' To The Shadows" album from 1989. The tour, which followed it, did not involve Alan. Most likely because of the aftermath of his injuries, I guess. I think he would still be The Shadows' bass guitarist, if it wasn't for the car accident. He told me personally that he indeed offered his services to The Shadows for the tours of 2004 and 2005, but Mark Griffiths was chosen instead.

[drakula63]

I would tend to agree that it was Alan's car accident that really ended his Shads-related career. He was, and I'm sure still is, a brilliant bass player who contributed massively to their sound during his tenure. Just listen to The Third Man and a few other pieces from that era. He had a very fluid and melodic way of playing, which I think it would be hard for anyone to match. Having said that, Mark Griffiths has been with them, in one way or another, for three decades and there is a very good reason for that. He is the right man for the job. Of course we all have our favourites (Jet, Licquorice, John, Alan Tarney, Dave Richmond) and they were all right for the band at their respective times. But I personally feel that Griff has always fitted in perfectly and, anyway, what's it got to do with us?

Just to change the subject slightly...

I have always, well, for a while, thought that Suzy Quatro would have been brilliant playing bass for the Shads. Seems a mad idea, but I know she's a fan and I bet she'd have a ball on stage with them. And just imagine her backing vocals!!! Did one of the earlier posts sort of suggest that she might have been considered? I'd definitely pay to see that!!!

Merry Christmas everyone...

[hansaustria]

We should not mix the issues .. The fundamental question is - should do an original member ( 3 of them are still alive ) the job of the bass players, or a session musician. It`s the 50 years celebration of Cliff & The Shadows. It`s not a normal tour like 2004. J. Harris and B. Locking are not strangers for Cliff, they started their career together in 1959 / 60 !!!! J. Harris is a founding member of the Shadows too.

Hans

[waffles]

.

[Stratpicker]

I agree Waffles. Spot on!!
Much as I love them all, none of them has the knowledge of the full Cliff and Shadows repertoire or the stamina to stand up to a rigorous tour like this one. The chosen ad-hoc members of The Shadows for the Final Reunion are consumate Pros and gifted Musos and are the choice of the Shadows. Nothing else should matter.
It would, in any case, be too disjointed in a flowing, high energy show like this to keep starting and stopping whilst various ex-associates are dragged on stage to perform one or two tunes specific to their era and expertise. And where do you draw the line with regard to who you invite and who you dont. It would be a long line of one off performances to fit them all in.
No - the guys did right, in my view. A Slick show representing all that has been the best in 50 years of Cliff and The Shadows.
cheers
ian

[stagetech]

Hans, do everyone a favour. Drop it!

people have made their feelings known, the last thread that went this way was quite rightly removed.

Ian

[raiders]

And as for session musicians: what about Sir Cliff with his excellent drumming on "Apache" ?

Is, or was, he a ever "Shadow" or "simply" a session musician?? And if a session musician, did he ever get paid and, if not, what does the union say about that ???

Come on guys, we KNOW thar neither Brian Locking nor John Rostill (or Alan Hawkshaw, Alan Jones, Warren Bennet et.c. ever were OFFICIAL Shadows) but without them we would not have the musical treasure we have today. Thank god (or whomever) for their existance.

Peter the Swede

[JimN]

If anyone is interested in the status of session musicians on early Shadows records, the EMI archives at Hayes indicate that as far as the period up until April 1962 is concerned, all the Shadows except Jet Harris were effectively session musicians. Jet was the contracted artiste (and therefore got nothing for the recording sessions, because he would receive the royalties when and if paid), whereas Bruce, Hank, Tony and (in his turn) Brian Bennett were each paid a recorded fee of a few pounds at each session. I say "a few pounds", but it was more than a 16-yr-old apprentice was getting per week. The entries for Jet and the others are noticeably different. Jet was the man as far as EMI was concerned.

Since I discovered this via the archives (on a trip to Hayes with the late Roberto Pistolesi), I have concluded that the reason for the relatively long gap between the release of Wonderful Land and that of Guitar Tango wasn't just the ongoing success of the Jerry Lordan composition. I feel sure that there will have been much legal work necessary in order to separate Jet (the leader as far as the contracts were concerned) from "the Shadows" as an entity. But this was simply because Jet was older than the others (by a good two years) and was therefore the person for the contract lawyers to deal with.

My 2p worth.

JN

[Twang46]

My opinion on all of this is that I, (we) as "fans" have every right to ask for tunes/etc... as we are the people that buy the music & concert tickets/merchandise etc..

I went to the current tour (Newcastle) & thoroughly enjoyed the night although very dismayed at the very high prices for everything. I don't suppose I'll be able to see The Shads (& even Cliff) again as a full stage band so there was also a feeling of closure.

I was part of the clamour a while back to bring Jet in for the tour, but his illness sadly put an end to those hopes, it would have been nice however to have heard from the band some words for Jet & his family (or did I miss an interview or something where he was mentioned ?)

The issue of who or who should not be called a "Shadow" is not important to me (outside of the 4 originals), but I do have the right to mention my preferences about line ups/set choice and if I like or not the way a particular tune/song is played. This site is about The Shadows & the music. Just because someone may not agree with what I (or others) may say or the "way" we say it does not give any member/moderator the right to demand that we be silent. (provided of course that the post is not abusive/offensive)

My opinion

Dick.

[bassboogie]

I have always had the greatest respect for all the Shads bass players, including Alan Tarney, George Ford, Dave Richmond and Mo Foster. Regardless of sentiment every one during their tenure with the Shads were outstanding musicians and bass players. Jet was way ahead of his time on the bass and launched at least 1,000,000 bass players all over the world. You have to crunch the numbers, the Shads have been around for 50 years, how many other 50 year groups are there ? If there are any such "Golden Anniversary" groups, how many still have the original line up ? Forget "Who is a Shadow" and just be happy with the fact that there are so many Shads, Sessionists or what ever you want to call them still around, still playing, and above all we can still meet them, talk to them and occasionally even play along with them at club and Shads events. We Shads fans have had it so good over the years. Just enjoy and cut the ...p.

Luigi or Igiul (when I play Nivram).