Poetry?

Just a little promotional message, I have decided to publish in a new blog all those lyrics which never made it as songs but which still stand on their own as poems. Its a fine line and one which is easy to cross and which I have crossed many times.

I write mostly to sing but sometimes the words are better than the music. Or sometimes they simply stand on there own and can be read as poetry. So if you see my videos on YouTube, I will be singing them. But you may see the same words referred to as a poem elsewhere. It matters not what I call these words, I hope they are good enough to stand either way as good examples of creative writing.

But let me tell you about the new blog, it is called, "Poems and Poetry on Life" I will be posting excerpts of poems as I publish them on various sites I am investigating as publishing platforms.

Shadows style guitar meeting at Shrewsbury

Well the Shrewsbury meet came and went. I am so glad that I went along and took my fender (see the previous post).

There were fewer people there than had been expected but those of us who were there had a ball, at least I think so I know that I did. It is actually the first time that I have "performed" in front of an audience and boy was I nervous. I was sweating so much (it was a very warm day for March, 22 deg C) that I almost dropped the plectrum a couple of times but managed to sort out where I was and carry on. I played a couple of easy numbers to start with:

It's Been  Blue Day and Geronimo

And in a second session, I decided to rock things up a little with:-

Gonzalez and Shindig

It was on Gonzalez that I nearly lost the plectrum, but as I looked up in agony I was given a sign to carry on and found my place and did just that. Boy was I nervous but also I really enjoyed myself. Here is a video of the late Jet Harris playing lead on Gonzalez at Shadodwmania 2010.

And Shindig, on the Shadows final tour

I don't think my versions were this good but at least I gave a good showing for a first timer if the comments from the "pros" were to be believed

Most of the guys were hardened at this sort of thing and played really well. I have to say that I enjoyed myself and look forward to the next time. My thanks to Mark and Noel for a great day.

Me and my Guitar

Ok,I know this is only a filler, things are still hectic at home and time on the PC is at a premium. But I have just found a new(ish) forum on the web for all lovers of Hank Marvin, especially if you are into the technical aspects of the guitar and eequipment and recording.

They are having a "Shadows" get-together in a  few weeks and I am hoping to go along to meet some of the guys, many of whom are great guitar players. Just one example:





I decided I needed a relevant T-shirt for the meeting. But not too relevant. So I have designed and purchased my own Tee from Zazzle.

Yes I know I am holding the fender wrongly, but I wanted to show off the image on the shirt. There is actually some text below the image, "Rock 'n' Roll". (now for the advert: you can of course buy one of these fashionable items from my Zazzle store They come in several different styles and colours).

Rock 'n' Roll by artyfax
Create customised tee shirts using zazzle

It is also worth mentioning the other forum relating to The Shadows, The Shadows Music Community which has been going for a lot longer and has more contributors.

Well I am looking forward to the meeting, let you know how it turns out.

Forums related to Hank Marvin and The shadows

Are you into The Shadows and Hank Marvin or maybe just into guitars or guitar instrumentals; well this post I thought that I would bring a couple of forums to your attention.

Both have lots of technical help, and lots of recorded music by the members. One is a long-time established site and one is relatively new and therefore has fewer members at the moment. But if you want to find out about guitars, related sound equipment and recording, you can most likely get anawers to any issues you may have from either of these forums.

The ShadowMusic Community is the more established of the two. It offers not only chat, but links to TAB for Shadows related tunes, music files from members and links to many Shadows related sites.

Hank Marvin SOUND & TECHNICAL is a relative newcomer but as it says on the tin, appears to much more technically orientated. Again sound files from members are supported on the forum and you can find links to Backing Tracks, BT's. Took me a while to learn what the initials stood for, LOL.

For my own tributse to my favourite group:-
Hank Marvin
Bruce Welch
The Shadows, The Legend
Rythm and Greens
Brian Bennett - in preparation
Jet Harris and Tony Meehan - in preparation

Top 5 vocals by Hank Marvin and The Shadows

I have just posted a list of the top five vocals by Hank Marvin and The Shadows on Best-Reviewer, it is obviously a very subjective list but hey - 5 out of so many good songs.

My favourite is The Hawk and The Dove by Hank Marvin, such a beautiful song written by Hank himself:-




For the other selections see the list on Best Reviwer

Northstar, cover of Platnium pt4

Here is a cover of Mike Oldfield's Platinum Pt4 by my son. using keyboards for all instruments (including guitar parts) and recording each part live on a digital recorder.

Musical Themed Tee Shirts

OK, today I am going to advetise a couple of musical themed Tee's from  my Zazzle shop. Have you noticed thte lilnk to my shop on the side bar? I thought that these should be referred to specifically. And  I need the sales:-

Guitarists do it with their hands

guitarist_hands by artyfax
Make cheap custom t shirts at zazzle.co.uk

Singers do it with gusto

singers_gusto by artyfax
Browse Music T-Shirts

Do you remember this running joke from some years back, I have posted a few of these sort of images and on a number of products.