HANK MARVIN - NOTES

The July '97 issue of TOTAL GUITAR(*)...

.... presented a full tab for Jerry Lordan's Apache, together with a full backing track on CD; in a series dedicated to techniques under the title "classic track".
It is described as quote, basically a "novelty tune" with pseudo-tribal modes and dodgy tom-tom intro, unquote. It goes on to say that it's ridiculously catchy theme has made it one of the world's best known guitar instrumentals.


Whilst The Shadows' sound depends on the usual combination of gear, techique and effects their singles rely most heavily on a strong melody. Hank has always been a strongly melodic player rather than a "widdly improviser" the article points out. This from a magazine which reflects the current trend for guitar players to be ranked according to how fast they can play those very same "widdly bits" and where some players will say quite openly that they can never be sure of playing the same thing twice or even which note they will play until they "hit it". It may often sound good but is this just technique carried to the extreme, doesn't style mean more than just technique. Personally I think that Hank's sensitivity and sense of lyricism really come through in the music that he plays. But no doubt musical content can be supplied whichever way the instrument is handled.

(*) TOTAL GUITAR Issue 33, July 1997, Technique: Classic Track, Joe Bennett.

HANK MARVIN "KARAOKE ?"

In passing it may interest the guitarists amongst you to know that the publishers offer a series of CD's under the title TOTAL ACCURACY of which one is subtitled JAM WITH HANK MARVIN which includes full backing tracks and complete transcriptions to Apache, FBI, Wonderful Land, Man of Mystery, Riders in the Sky, Geronimo, Kon Tiki and Guitar Tango. (Cost £16.95 + £1 pp)


Also in the series are JAM WITH... Gary Moore, The Eagles and Led Zeppelin as well as many more titles by musical subject, eg Rock Legends, Unplugged Rock, Classic rock and many more.
Contact: Total Accuracy, PO Box 58, Romford RM7 7AZ UK. TEL 0800 919983

In the same vein as the above, Roger Newell in THE GUITARIST (^) whilst reviewing "Hank Plays Live"
suggests that Hank is playing adventurously and is in good form and that it is altogether a "tight and varied performance". However, "Wonderful Land" is found to be disappointing because the echo setting is nothing like the original, even though it is expertly played. I find myself asking why this should be important for a live performance. Is it the artiste, the arrangement, the song or the "sound" which makes the performance memorable. For me, I have to say that even if all have a contribution to make, it is the initial three that are of overiding significance. The latter being purely an electo-mechanical / electronic phenomena.

(I would however agree that "the sound" may be important to help to get a new act noticed by the public". But it is only a transitory phase !

(^) THE GUITARIST Volume 14 Number 1, June 1997. Review of "Hank Plays Live", page 91.


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