Warren Bennett & Friends - SHADOWMANIA 2006

[dave robinson]

Thanks Ian, although one alleged big hitter was spouting on this site that I personally 'blew it' - whatever that means. Yes it could have been better, it always can, but at least I don't blow it every year.

[donna plasky]

Dear dave: Thank you for posting those great videos. I really enjoyed them. I missed out on whatever dialogue you are referring to, but I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your music...and that I think one of your greatest musical talents is versatility. You play much more than Shadows music, but even within The Shadows, there are different types of songs (westerns, rockabilly, ballads) and you play all of these so well. It is very inspiring.

Kind regards,
Donna

[dave robinson]

I'm glad you were able to see those clips Donna, at least if you couldn't be there you have seen something of what goes on. Re your comment about the dialogue that you missed, it isn't important, what is important is the music and particularly on one of those clips the love and respect that the audience displayed for Brian Bennett when we introduced him, as not too many folks knew he was appearing as Warren And Brian wanted it to be a surprise. Those memories will live forever for me as being a part of all that and could never be topped. Thank you for your kind comments.

[littlelinnie]

Hi Dave
WOW BRILLIANT

Regards Lynn

[dave robinson]

Thanks, glad you liked it Littlelinnie.

Any body want to buy the Pinnacle amp used by Warren? It was upgraded with Alnico Jensen speakers - Just under £1200 new, £600.00. PM me if interested.

[neil2726]

Dave - I think " you perdonally blew it" must mean as I recall you made a mistake on the opening number - possibly on a solo as you couldnt hear the monitor mix. I seem to remember Warren laughing and you pointing to the said monitor and requesting more from it. Having said that we have seen quite a few mistakes at Shadowmania - after all its live!

[dave robinson]

Dave - I think " you perdonally blew it" must mean as I recall you made a mistake on the opening number - possibly on a solo as you couldnt hear the monitor mix. I seem to remember Warren laughing and you pointing to the said monitor and requesting more from it. Having said that we have seen quite a few mistakes at Shadowmania - after all its live!

Yes I remember it well, I totally forgot a couple of bars in 'Walkin', too busy worrying that I was having monitor problems, but I have other footage of a certain band that shows that I wasn't the only one that night by a very long way, but better not gloat about that eh.
That apart, it was still one of the most memorable Shadowmania events ever and those special moments on these clips will take some beating. It's a shame that the following year it was spoiled for many of us by the bad politics, which is why many of the old regulars no longer attend.

[bor64]

Dave, your spot on!

[blueshadows2008]

Hi Dave, Thanks for that. It was the first Shadowmania I'd ever attended and I was really hyped with all this 'Shadows' activity! Being South African, we'd never experienced anything quite like this. I was like a kid in a candy store, running around with a camera and taking hundreds of pics of everyone, I'm sure Bruce and many others thought I was a quite mad!
I remember the excitement when Brian Bennett came on, and wondered who everyone else was, and being amazed at all these 'Shadows People' all celebrating the music.
These videos and others from these were a great reminder of one of the best weekends of my life, so thanks for posting, it was really great!!
Cheers CC

[dave robinson]

Yes I remember seeing you there Charles, it was an enjoyable event in 2006, I remember meeting Abel also.

It's sad that the final Shadowmania is four weeks away and I'm pretty certain I won't be able to be part of it as I get back from holiday that weekend, but I have fond memories of the first Shadowmania in 1998 along with our appearances with The Vibratos in 2002/2003 and Warren & Friends in 2006. Working with Brian Bennett and Griff with Warren and Dick were special moments and can never be topped and those memories are captured on video for ever. I'm pleased that many of you have had a look at these clips from 2006 as it shows what a good gig it was.

Each year I have noticed that we are losing friends and characters from the first one back in 1998 and I think of these guys all the time, Tony Meehan, Roberto Pistolisi, Hoss Van Hardveld and Jet Harris are the most prominent in my mind, but there are fans too that I miss, such as Ron Williams (drifter) and Brian Robinson, Adrian Bartholomew and there are others who I can't put names to at the moment, but they are all sadly missed. It saddens me to hear that Phil Kelly won't be there this year, as he has said, he could have managed it and my personal opinion is that this will detract from the event as he is well respected as can be seen on his thread. One can only wonder if his replacement could be HBM - it needs to be !