Bruce Welch - Vocalist

I write often and with feeling about The Shadows; usually with Hank Marvin in the lead position because they were a guitar instrumental group and Hank was their lead guitarist. However, they did record and perform many vocal numbers. At these times Bruce often came into his own. Although both he and Hank sang some great harmonies reminiscent of The Everly Brothers in the early years; and later on in the MW&F days they were much more performing in a US West Coast Style.

Read more about Bruce in my Squidoo article

In this post I want to feature Bruce and his vocal performances. I don't think this song from a live performance circa 2000 was ever recorded, but I know I love the song.

This next clip is Bruce's only solo single. Another brilliant song and performance:

 

Mind you, I always preferred this number which was the "B" side to the single:

 

 Well I will leave it there for now, but if you are curious, try searching for Bruce Welch on You Tube; you may be surprised.

50 years ago, The Shadows singles

At the start of 1964, The Shadows released "Theme For Young Lovers" written by Bruce Welsh. Around this time the effect of the rise in the new beat groups and the Liverpool sound was being felt and unfortunately as a single it only reached #12 in the UK charts. A good spot, but not quite up to the heights which The Shadows were accustomed to.

This is a live version from The Shads on their final Tour before packing their guitars away, metaphorocally speaking of course.



In order to try and raise their game their next single was a more up-tempo, slightly jazzy piece; The Rise And Fall Of Flingle Bunt. It reached #5 in the UK. Here, again from the Final Tour.





There followed two more singles in 1964, Rythm and Greens (highest spot #22) from the short feature film of the same name, and Genie with the light brown lamp from thie palladium pantomine (also starring their vocalist, Cliff Richard) (highest position #17.

Read more about the Shadows and Hank Marvin on my article, Hank Marvin, The Shadows and Beyond

The Savage from The Shadows - Pop Guitar History

I was idly listening to my record collection, most of it on MP3 these days so I get to hear the classical oldies quite frequently, and I was struck by how good the early Shadows guitar instumental really were. Now I have not mentiuoned them for a while so thought it was time that I did a post on my all-time favourite guitar band again.

For starters, here is a classic rendition of Man Of Mystery, boy that tuneful yet masterly rocking guitar work by Hank makes my spine tingle. Of course, you musr remember this is a live performance from 1980 and so sounds just a little aged.

 

The difference between this and the much later version of the Stranger is so marked and says a lot about the development of the rigs and sound systems over the years. 

 

If you want more by this great combo, why not browse over to my tribute article to Hank Marvin, or alternatively a similar article for Bruce Welch. Lots to read, see and listen to.

Even if you think you know The Shadow's story, you could find something to surprise you.

More Shadow's stuff next time, I probably wouldn't have learnt to play if it hadn't been for them. Even now Apache still knocks me out, what about you.

Exciting News for any Shadows Completists - New CD

A new version of this boxed set (6 cd's) has been released. Contains tracks never before been put on a cd. 32 tracks in mono (CD6) and a couple of stereo tracks. Get it from AMAZON or Leo's Den (Shadows specialists).

This expanded edition now contains all studio tracks from 1959 until 1966 in stereo except for the first seven which are in mono only.

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