| Message | I grew up with Cliff & The Shadows music, as my dad is great Cliff fan - always has been. However, while I think Cliff is fantastic, I have to say the Hank is The Man. I used to play guitar in my band and we did a lot of Shads music. I always wanted to get my guitar to sound just like Hank's. He's a musical genuis and vastly under-rated in the wider world. As a general musician he's terrific, and his songwriting and composing ability has tragically gone laregly unnoticed.
Hank's solo albums have shown off tremdous guitaring talent that much of The Shadows well known hits have not capitalised on. Still, they didn't do too bad!
I met the Shadows in at the Apollo Theatre on 25 September 1978. Hank, Bruce & Brian autographed across my copy of the sheet music for The Rise & Fall of Flingel Bunt.
I was at O2 Arena in September 2009 to see Cliff and the Shads. What an evening of memories. I almost wept while they played Shadoogie (not the most emotional piece, I know, but it has such a personal history for me from my days in the band).
I have so many favourite Shadows tracks and albums. I always liked 'Zambezi' from Dance with The Shadows, and The Rockin' with Curly Leads album is so rich, musically. Of the songs Hank has written or co-written, I really like Time Drags By. Such a clever song, with great harmonies. I love them all.
Good stuff, Hank. You've made my life! |