MALCOLM CAMPBELL'S SHADOWS WEBSITE


A GUIDE TO THE SHADOWS AND HANK MARVIN ON CD

UPDATED ILLUSTRATED EDITION 2005 – BY MC & LES WOOSEY

REVIEWS: PIPELINE



  • Source: Pipeline Issue 68, 2005, p. 65
  • Reviewer: George Geddes

Where to begin? Malcolm Campbell has already established himself as a meticulous chronicler of the recorded work of Hank Marvin and The Shadows with three discographical works to his credit. Now, in collaboration with Les Woosey, well known for his research into alternative versions of the band's recordings, Malcolm has revised and expanded his first book. This edition has 576 pages compared to 313 in the 1999 edition. In those six years, Shadows CDs have continued to be released worldwide, but there is more to this revision than simply documenting these additional albums.

After a brief preface by the compilers, they outline the rationale for their treatment of alternative versions and mixes. The first discographical section is a chronological listing of The Shadows' recordings (despite the book's title, vinyl is included as well as CD) from 1959 to 2004. A new feature is colour illustrations of many of the album and picture singles listed. A supplement documents the first stereo appearances of tracks. The second and third listing are of Hank Marvin's solo work and recordings by Marvin Welch and Farrar. There then follows a chronological listing of Shadows, Hank and MWF CDs from 1984 to date.

This is merely a preface to a detailed A–Z listing of all the CDs, again with copious coloured illustrations. Each entry is annotated with details of variant tracks, sleeve notes, and reviews in Pipeline and Shadsfax. Cliff Richard CDs featuring The Shadows or Hank are included.

A substantial part of the book is devoted to the A–Z track listing of Shadows and Hank recordings, again including those with Cliff. Each track has an annotation, varying in fulness (for example, exact recording dates are not always known) with details of album appearances, mono and stereo versions being listed separately. A careful reading of the authors' preliminary remarks for this section is essential for a full understanding of the organisation of this section.

A simple description of the contents cannot do justice to this work. Apart from the vast amount of discographical information, there are nuggets of information throughout such as the authors' comments on EMI's archives at Hayes. A major bonus is the inclusion of high quality on-stage photos from Dave Hawley, John Humphrey and Angélique von Söhsten, with those on the cover by Malcolm's son Richard.

Having compiled discographies myself, albeit in the pre-CD era, I am aware of the difficulties and sheer amount of hard slog required. Malcolm and Les have done a tremendous job, setting the standard for any subsequent instrumental discographies. This is an essential purchase for Shadows fans and at £21.95 represents excellent value for money.




Return to Home / A Guide To The Shadows And Hank Marvin On CD 2005