The+shadows

The Shadows is a rock band from the United Kingdom, founded in 1958. The band plays instrumental rock and is the backing band of Cliff Richard. The band ranks third (after Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard) in the ranking of the most commercially successful artists of the British singles chart.

Review: As a lifelong Shadows fan, I have tended in recent years to buy up their compilation albums as well as original recordings to enjoy them all in different formats. In this collection Disc 1 profiles Shadows' recordings, whilst Disc 2 showcases Hank Marvin's solo tracks. The way this disc is presented nicely contrasts the different approaches of the group and solo recordings and gives an insight into the historical recordings the group has made over the years. The only down side to this collection is that the versions of the Shadows' hits are the Polydor re-recordings and not the original EMI ones which, in my opinion, were better. This should not detract from the disc as a whole which is an extremely enjoyable collection, showcasing certainly one of the most influential, yet underrated groups this country has ever produced. Hank's guitar playing is as impeccable and brilliant as ever. Favourite tracks are: The Deer Hunter (Cavatina), Wonderful Land, Theme for Young Lovers and the brilliant live version of Sacha.

Import only two-disc collection for the instrumental quartet from the 60's, originally Cliff Richard's backing band, features 36 tracks. It is time now to come down to earth after considering the discs masterminded by Rob Bradford (Shadsfax 46). Here we have 17 A-singles, 6 B-singles, a solitary EP track, 12 from albums (three in mono, for no good reason I can think of): a haphazard selection reminiscent of the kind of compilations marketed with tiresome regularity by Disky in particular.
On the plus side though you get a 10-page booklet with five pages of group history (which peters out midway through the 1970s, even though some of the tracks on offer here were later) courtesy of Martin Hutchinson; and this Theme For Young Lovers has the lead guitar in the right channel (located left on its first stereo release) but does not have a mismastered double note at the beginning (see previous review): the first time that EMI UK has got this one right since 1990. The set is presumably targeted at those attending the concerts (or who have been put in mind of the group again by all the publicity) who don’t want a big box set, or hit albums they have seen in various guises before.

Import only two-disc collection for the instrumental quartet from the 60's, originally Cliff Richard's backing band, features 36 tracks. It is time now to come down to earth after considering the discs masterminded by Rob Bradford (Shadsfax 46). Here we have 17 A-singles, 6 B-singles, a solitary EP track, 12 from albums (three in mono, for no good reason I can think of): a haphazard selection reminiscent of the kind of compilations marketed with tiresome regularity by Disky in particular.
On the plus side though you get a 10-page booklet with five pages of group history (which peters out midway through the 1970s, even though some of the tracks on offer here were later) courtesy of Martin Hutchinson; and this Theme For Young Lovers has the lead guitar in the right channel (located left on its first stereo release) but does not have a mismastered double note at the beginning (see previous review): the first time that EMI UK has got this one right since 1990. The set is presumably targeted at those attending the concerts (or who have been put in mind of the group again by all the publicity) who don’t want a big box set, or hit albums they have seen in various guises before.

It was in June 1960 that THE SHADOWS entered Abbey Road Studios to record APACHE, the track that was to become the instrumental hit of the decade. It shot to No.1 and became an instant classic and saw the start of a string of over thirty hits – including another four No.1’s, WONDERFUL LAND, KON-TIKI, DANCE ON! and FOOT TAPPER - for the group who pioneered the now familiar band line up of two guitars, bass and drums. APACHE also inspired a new generation of artists such as Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Pete Townshend and Queen’s Brian May to take up the guitar. The unique sound of THE SHADOWS is captured on this 2CD collection especially compiled by the band to mark their 60th anniversary year.

Two CD set. Both as 'solo' artists/bands and collaboratively, Cliff Richard and The Shadows have amassed more than 100 charting singles between them, as well as album sales upwards of ¼ Billion. Together they dominated the British popular music scene in the late '50s and early '60s with record-breaking careers that established their undisputed place in pop history. Between them they notched up 19 No.1 hits that included "Living Doll," "Travellin' Light," "Please Don't Tease," "Bachelor Boy," "Wonderful Land" and "Apache." In 2009, Cliff, together with Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch and Brian Bennett took to the stage again for their final tour - The Final Reunion - to celebrate their 50th anniversary, with an audience of more than 15,000. Released for the first time on CD, this 42-track set was recorded live at The O2 Arena in London.

Crimson presents The Final Tour from legendary guitar band The Shadows performing their greatest hits live on this 2CD set. Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch and Brian Bennett together on-stage June 5th 2004 at Cardiff Arena. It was during a hot summer day in June 1960 that The Shadows entered Abbey Road's Studio 2 to record Apache, the track that was to become the instrumental hit of the decade. It shot to No.1, became an instant classic and saw the start of a string of over thirty hits that included another four No.1’s - Wonderful Land, Kon-Tiki, Dance On! and Foot Tapper - all of which are featured on this 2CD release. Also available for the first time is a double LP on red vinyl containing 31 tracks compiled by The Shadows.

Import only two-disc collection for the instrumental quartet from the 60's, originally Cliff Richard's backing band, features 36 tracks. It is time now to come down to earth after considering the discs masterminded by Rob Bradford (Shadsfax 46). Here we have 17 A-singles, 6 B-singles, a solitary EP track, 12 from albums (three in mono, for no good reason I can think of): a haphazard selection reminiscent of the kind of compilations marketed with tiresome regularity by Disky in particular.
On the plus side though you get a 10-page booklet with five pages of group history (which peters out midway through the 1970s, even though some of the tracks on offer here were later) courtesy of Martin Hutchinson; and this Theme For Young Lovers has the lead guitar in the right channel (located left on its first stereo release) but does not have a mismastered double note at the beginning (see previous review): the first time that EMI UK has got this one right since 1990. The set is presumably targeted at those attending the concerts (or who have been put in mind of the group again by all the publicity) who don’t want a big box set, or hit albums they have seen in various guises before.