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The new compilation on Stylus of Decca Instrumentals 1956 - 1979 includes a chirpy 'B' side from Joe Brown called 'Swagger'. Trev dates it as released in Feb 1960. Listen to that guitar with repeats bouncing after every note - he's using a echo machine! However, it can't be just any old echo machine! It has to be the one that Joe gave to Hank to try "because he couldn't get on with it" as Hank says in It Was In Tune When I Bought It. The timing seems about right, so if you want to hear THAT Meazzi before Hank got his hands on it, listen to 'Swagger'.

Ray L

Ray do you have any info as to where that CD may be available?

I think that Hank was asked to listen to Joe's machine and was very impressed, but then bought one for himself in London.

It's well documented that Joe gave it to Hank to try as he (joe) couldn't get on with it.

rogera wrote:Ray do you have any info as to where that CD may be available?

Roger,
It's available mail-order from Trev Faull ( trevfaullAThotmail.co.uk )(replace AT with @), but to get a copy from the man himself, come to the Pipeline Convention this Sunday - Trev will have a stall there.

The CDs official title is Decca 45's Volume 1 1956-79

Ray

aardvarkd wrote:I think that Hank was asked to listen to Joe's machine and was very impressed, but then bought one for himself in London.

Here is what's written in Jim Elyea's book "Vox amplifiers, the JMI years" :
"It all started when Hank and the Drifters made a special trip to Manchester to meet Gene Vincent. While there, Hank was able to check out his mate Joe Brown's echo unit (which Joe didn't like), and decided he had to have one. When next in London, Hank checked in with Jennings and picked up a Vox/Meazzi unit."
(this was in december 1959).

Didier

I'm with Didier and Jim Elyea's book on this. I think it's a myth that Joe actually gave it to Hank. At the time I think they cost about the same as a Stratocaster (or more ?)! "Stars" got paid peanuts in those days so I don't think Joe could have afforded to be that generous! I expect he's pleased to be seen that way though and is unlikley to deny the rumours today!
See that one on eBay went on Monday 5th for £775 (880 Euros)? A bargain for the buyer I reckon. It's the first I've seen there for years!
Cheers, Lionel [/color]

The echo on swagger is a simple repeat, it could have been anything.

ecca wrote:The echo on swagger is a simple repeat, it could have been anything.

Yes, but back in late 1958/early 1959 the options for a guitar echo were very limited. The Copicat, the Truvoice, the Swissecho, etc were still to appear. Apart from the Meazzi, what else could Joe Brown have used (especially since we know that he actually had one)?

Ray

They used the recorder itself, no machines at all.
Les Paul was doing it in the fifties.