Jet/Tony - Hully Gully - Question

[MeBHank]

Good to be reminded of Jet's Man From Nowhere (composed by the late Clive Westlake) in the darkened cellar. It's a great sound, albeit mimed, of course, in a moody setting, but heavens knows who the other individuals are!

Bill

Ah, Man from Nowhere. I just love that sound!

One of my favourite recurring moments from the time the Shadowers and I spent with Jet was the first note he used to hit in rehearsals to make sure his sound was working. His sound latterly was quite different from the recordings but the throbbing, zingy "clunk!" of his low E string seemed to hit you square in the chest and take your breath away. Just like Licorice's harmonica sound, hearing Jet's guitar sound on recordings and videos is not quite the same as when you're hearing it live (and loud!). You know, I'm still not sure that it's really sunk in that I'll never hear it again. When we return from our sabbatical the Shadowers will have to play more of Jet's material. I'll have to get a six-string bass and we'll do Man from Nowhere.

Love ya, Jet.

J

[jimbojet]

" Man from Nowhere" was one of the first tunes I learnt to play on my bass guitar as I loved the sound which I discovered by accident by purchasing a cd it was on, although I couldnt appreciate at that time it was played on a six string not a four string which I had, however it doesnt sound to bad on 4 string. As an aside to Justin I saw his gig with the shadowers in yeovil earlier in the year and it was great to hear them play "my lady" which I never heard at shadowmania even at his tribute in 2011, but I guess it's a singy late 60's sound not really the guitar sound of the early Jet sound.
Jet mentioned on his dvd "from there to here" about the time when "scarlett O'Hara" was released with "Hully Gully" as the b side that the girls were buying it for "Hully Gully" and the boys bought it for "Scarlett O'Hara"...

[GoldenStreet]

When I first heard the main title from the Twin Peaks TV series, I immediately thought of Jet and his Fender Bass VI. I've no idea if the featured instrument on that soundtrack actually is a 6-string bass (probably more likely an electronic keyboard, I imagine), but to think Jet achieved such a similar sound years before is a tribute to his true originality.

Bill

[donna plasky]

Dear Justin: Your words about Jet were very touching. It brought to mind this video from Shadowmania, where Jet is speaking fondly of you. This is the beauty of modern technology, where a special moment can be captured on video which makes the memory last forever.

Kind regards,
Donna

[JimN]

When I first heard the main title from the Twin Peaks TV series, I immediately thought of Jet and his Fender Bass VI. I've no idea if the featured instrument on that soundtrack actually is a 6-string bass (probably more likely an electronic keyboard, I imagine), but to think Jet achieved such a similar sound years before is a tribute to his true originality.
Bill

I think I heard that the "lead bass" part was played by (venerable USA session man) Vinnie Bell on a Danelectro six-string bass. He certainly had a couple of them (of the same type played by Duane Eddy on Because They're Young.

JN

[George Geddes]

There was a fair bit of discussion about the TP theme at the time, and the consensus seemed to be as outlined by Jim. Really atmospheric number which you can add to the list of 'tunes the Shads should have covered...'

George

[MeBHank]

Really atmospheric number which you can add to the list of 'tunes the Shads should have covered...'

I can't agree with that, George. It's an atmospheric arrangement and I do like the sound of the lead instrument but using it as a TV theme was probably putting it to its best use. As an album track or performance number (heaven forbid) it's hardly melodically inspiring. I'm trying to imagine Hank playing it live and trying to retain some sort of animation whilst playing it. Even though it suits Jet's sound perfectly, I doubt even he would have wanted to play it live.

Donna, thank you for that reminder. That performance with Jet at Shadowmania was one of the most special of my life. My favourite memory of it is Jet's introduction of the tune (and name calling) prior to Sleepwalk: Nivram. Just priceless.

[GoldenStreet]

With regard to the 6 string bass, I assume Nokie Edwards is playing one as the featured lead instrument here... just about my favourite Ventures track.

Bill

[JimN]

According to the prevailing wisdom on the Ventures fan-sites, the group used the Bass VI between its introduction and the contract with Mosrite (1964, I think). Consensus seems to be that "Surfing" and "The Ventures In Space" feature Fender guitars, including the Bass VI. Opinions do vary from that (you'll find other versions), but we ought to remember that even when the Shadows had a contract with Burns, Hank still played a Fender Bass VI and the group used Gibson acoustics.

There are several pictures of the Ventures using a Bass VI, but offhand, the only one I can find is the cover of the EP "Smash Hits", which I've had since 1964. Can it really be selling for £75? It's Bob Bogle holding the VI.



JN

[UlrichS]

I have often wondered about the girl drummer I beleive that her first name was Tina and did she play the drums on the record? .Girl drummers were rare in those days and this was two years before Honey Lantree of The Honeycombs .

Just came across this snippet from the Melody Maker (24.11.1962):

1962-11-24 MM p03 Jet news.jpg (100.51 KiB) Viewed 7857 times