Hi
John was not available from March because he was with Tom Jones.
After the Show on New Years Eve 1969, the Shadows, with Alan Hawkshaw, did the Cliff Richard Show - Wonderful Land- Rock n' Roll Medley - Move it with John on Fender Bass.
They were next scheduled for two week's Cabaret in Late March- Early April. The week at Batley Variety Club started 29th March. I went to the sound check on the Sunday afternoon and David Bryce said: "John's not with us you know". I asked who the bass player was and it was Paul Ferris. Brian told me that John was working with Tom Jones and that he knew what the money was like with Tom and he could't really turn it down for 'two weeks with Hank'. The week following the Shads at Batley it was Cliff. He started on Sunday 5th April, Brian and Alan backed him with the Batley band. Cliff finished on the 11th and on the 12th The Shads did their second week at Wythenshawe Golden Garter.
Once they had finished, on 18th, they had one more gig with Paul- the NME Poll Winners concert on May 3rd.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Musical- ... 1674189192They then finished as the Shadows at Sheffield Fiesta Club - the opening week- in August 1970 and John was on Bass. He used the Fender again because, in his words, 'The Burns is knackered!!' John had his beard on these his final appearances with the Shadows... Later MWF were formed. During the week at Sheffield, the Shadows played 'Something' and it was totally different bass playing from John to the one on the record.
I first heard the album at Brian's house in Lullington Garth. It was on 7" singles. I know Herbie Flowers is on Memphis and Something and Dave Richmond is definitely on Get Back because Brian told me he used "John's Fuzz Box - do you remember John's Fuzz Box" - Bombay Duck!. A lot of conjecture has always surrounded the bass players and one theory put forward- by Mo Foster, who has much more knowledge than me- is that some tracks sound like the Burns and they could be John. Well Dave Richmond exclusively used a Burns Bison Bass at that time and using the fact that John didn't use the Burns from New Years Eve 1969 until August 1970, it seems highly unlikely that he would have recorded with it. John also told me he had the Jazz Bass sprayed white to match the Burns white/tortoiseshell set up.
Hope this helps
Stuart