The ShadowMusic Web Community

Just saw this on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/HankMarvinMusicOfficial/

...And just received an email to that effect from Leo's Den.

(Hope it's better than 'HANK' which apart from Summer Guitar, I didn't much like)

I sometimes wonder why Hank chooses to do more albums alone instead of with the Shads. He's done a lot of solo albums now and whilst he's said he prefers having his own band, there is a rare magic between Marvin, Welch and Bennett that the public love even in an album of covers. (I know some fans prefer some albums more than others.) It would sell more, delight the public with three featured stars not one, and would be a change from his usual solo releases.

Obviously he lives in Australia - but I think the real reason is that although his albums are still mostly covers (which I tend to like), they tend to be completely different treatments to the originals. The Shads in the 80s tended to recreate the originals and then add in their own touches. I liked Hank and Guitar Man by the way probably because some of these songs are so old now, it's good to hear a good melody with a different arrangement. For me it's down to musical differences after all this time not personality differences.

I'm sure Hank's timing of a solo album in 2017 will keep the rumours running about a reunion in 18 or 19.

Now can we assume from the Strat/Ben pic that this it is not the previously rumoured second Gypsy Jazz effort - so let's have 'Django's Castle' as a 'freebie' with the new album to promote the other style of Hank's music. There must be time to arrange it?!

Then - the next GJ album might be more viable than the first!

Great news whatever it is.

I think it would be great if there would be more recordings of The Shadows, but I think the chapter of The Shadows has been closed. Never say never, but there has to be an end to it sometime. Hank's solo albums have always been interesting to listen to, but I still wish there would be more original material on his albums. Whatever the tracklisting is on this new album, I will buy it for sure.

I kind of suspected a new album would surface soon as his last few albums have all been top 10 and perhaps the record company wanted more.
I'd have preferred a new album of self penned tracks with a mix of vocals as well (something what he did on Words and Music) but he doesn't seem keen on singing these days.
Another interesting idea would be an update of the Guitar Syndicate sound, with lots of top guitarists playing on it, not sure if any record company would be bothered though.

Hank did mention that he was going to be recording a new album and a new gypsy jazz record in an interview with a New York radio station back in October.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=14164

We should be incredibly excited that after nearly 60 years our 75-year old 'main man' is still recording - but I guess when it comes out people will queue up to say how disappointed they are... If there is a gypsy jazz CD as well let's hope it has a better UK distribution deal than Django's Castle...

Just a cursory look tells me that there are some Hank Strat tracks on it and one of them at least is "America".
Great!!

So we now have 'Fool On The Hill' - but which 'America' is it?

S&G, Neil Diamond ?

Re: America - my guess is the Keith Emmerson version, maybe as a kind of tribute?