MALCOLM CAMPBELL'S SHADOWS WEBSITE

Published 18th March 2005, this updated version of the popular 1999 CD Guide retains much of the character of the original, but also breaks new ground in a number of key areas: over 400 cover shots in colour; a radically new style of Shadows Discography capped by a list (hitherto unavailable) of "first stereos"; a detailed survey of variant versions and mixes (some newly discovered); a profile of each release; exhaustive listings of all tracks found on CD from 1984 to 2004, with data on all recordings by the group with Cliff Richard.

The Introduction sets out in detail the principles underlying the classification of the variants examined in the Track Listings later in the book. In particular, the key terms "Versions" and "Mixes" are precisely defined and illustrated by copious examples.

1 The Shadows / Drifters
2 Hank Marvin
3 Marvin (Welch) & Farrar
The Discographies provide the building-blocks upon which the detailed Listings are based: they are not constructed according to original release format (viz. vinyl singles, EPs, LPs; CD). Instead, all tracks, whether originating in the UK or (much less often) overseas, are listed (and assigned a Catalogue Number for reference purposes) as they appear.

1 Chronological Listings
2 Alphabetical Listings
CD Catalogue 1 provides a chronological list of releases year by year, with month of release given where known.
CD Catalogue 2 on the other hand has an alphabetical arrangement, each CD release being documented from various angles.

The Track Listings have been radically reshaped to take in extra detail, notably:
(a) Under each title, Recording dates/ personnel, wherever known, as well as UK first release date/ UK chart performance.
(b) Extended descriptions of Alternative Versions and Mixes, assembled on the basis of exhaustive listening sessions in both analogue and digital formats, and based on terminology which is full explained in the Introduction, where a rich collection of illustrative examples of the many different categories is provided. Many of these variants have passed unnoticed hitherto: some Shadows collectors who consider they have all the available variations on CD may have to think again.
(c) In addition, all the Cliff Richard recordings involving The Drifters/ Shadows, many of them showing the group at their finest, are now included in the Listings, with selective locations on CD for each title and further data on composers, personnel, recording dates etc.

One further major point of difference from the first edition is the incorporation of artwork with 448 dazzling full colour images, in particular front cover shots of the CDs catalogued, over 400 in number. Many of these CDs are now very rare, particularly some overseas issues which boast unusual and sometimes exceptionally striking shots of the group. The book also boasts some pics from photographers Angélique von Söhsten, John Hank Humphrey and David Hawley.

You can find HERE the SCOFA scans referred to in the book.