ShadowMania 2010

[abel]

Hi All,

I hope you are all doing well.

Great to be able to see some superb performances from the show.
Looks like it was even better than the previous years. Bruce is enjoying himself more than before.
Indeed the Atlantis episode is priceless. I loved the way Bruce handled it.
Perfectionist and humble. If I were to stop for each of my mistakes, there would'nt be any show,
or it would be like an American Football game where the referee stops it ever minute or so.
I am sure the "Bruce Wech Shadows" realize how privileged their are to be playing next to Bruce.
Hopefully there will be more Shadowmanias in the future to allow us from abroad to come again (I was there in 2006 and it was wonderful).
I am very glad to hear that Jet Harris is feeling better and able to perform. May God give all of them (and us) good health.

A dream of mine and of everyone of us probably, (only a dream though) came to my mind for the next Shadowmania:

It could be implemented either during the Friday Social, or during the main show at the discretion of the stars themselves.
I don't think it's been done before by any other band:
Since Jet is back, it would be wonderful if Bruce, Brian and Jet would have a special short set in which they would
invite "Would be Hank" guitar players (drawn randomly from a pool) to sit in with them and play an early Shadows tune.
It would spice up the already spicy event (again, it's only a dream).
I wish I was there this year, but I will do my best to be there next year and also to try to get some Surf music fans to make the trip too.

Blessings to all,
Abel

[Sleepwalker63]

Does anyone know if Phil K was using his Sliders pickups on this show? I can certainly detect a different sound ( or is it my old ears?)

Take care

I've only seen the videos - wonderful by the way, but his guitar does sound slightly different. Does anyone have a recording done with a stereo mic perhaps?

I don't usually comment on here about guitar tones on live performances or video recordings, but I'll make an exception on this topic this once. When Phil Kelly was using the red m/n Stratocaster with which he opened the "Bruce's Shadows" set, his sound was the modern, compressed, sort-of-Hank-live-in-the-nineties sound. But when he switched to a sunburst Strat with rosewood neck, the change was very noticeable: more dynamic, more twangy, in sort, more like the early Shadows. Why that would be, I don't know. I understand that both guitars were played through identical radio systems. Pickups? Perhaps...

JN

Both of Phil's guitars are red with maple necks. He doesn't play a sunburst. The problem was the transmitter connected to his heavier string gauge guitar which, I believe, was one of Bruce's that was causing the distortion to his sound. I compared my recordings this time to those I took 2 years ago, and there is a vast difference.

[Uncleboko]

Dare I ask - why use radio anyway?

[kittycph]

Thank you Bruce for a great Shadowmania. Nice to meet old friends and new ones.
I have a couple of videos too. They will be uploaded later.
For me it sounded like a walkie-talkie or a taxiradio was making interference with Phil's guitar.
I guess that making a DVD would be in conflict with some copyrights. Especially if you have to pay for it.

[JimN]

Dare I ask - why use radio anyway?

My feelings precisely. Radios are incapable of delivering the signal with the same manifestation as a reasonably good guitar lead. No ifs, no buts, no argument. But some players prefer them for a variety of reasons.

As for the sunburst Strat I mentioned above, clearly, I was getting Phil mixed up with someone else who played on Saturday. Which lead guitarist (at Shadowmania) used a sunburst Strat as their second guitar?

JN (still too young for senior moments, shirley?)

[Sleepwalker63]

I think that was Gary of the Runaways.

[nick.nivram]

I will happily write a review, just hope it it taken in good spirit. I have actually reviewed a few of the past Shadowmania's and they all have a personality of their own. I was delighted this year went ahead especially after Bruce's worldwide tour. He came home to all who love him to do it one more time. This year was noticable in that it had five very high quality bands and this time all had no musical/Shadows/guitar boundaries (though red guitars were everywhere you looked). All bands played songs from all periods and made them very special. The other huge thing that dawned on me is the fact every lead guitarist had their own way of playing, own sound (though all were familiar) and each stamped his mark without just copying Hank. This is a great credit to all of them. The music is evolving.

The Runaways opened and frankly were just brilliant, full of fire and gave a great opening to the show. Gary on lead is just super to watch, hardly put a foot wrong and demonstrated versatility and style. This band are well worth the price of admission. Indra is one of my favourites. Totally unique, fine player and marvellous entertainer. Got a fab band too. Licorice Locking was at his best this year and Dakota was inspirational. Warren Bennett and Friends - Friends? - the amazing Brian B drumming, Mo Foster on Bass and Mark G on lead. What a line-up and they sure were on form. Mark made no pretence at shads style, it was I thought Vibrato style and a wonderful attraction. Mark is a mean player alright and Warren was doing the job of three people - guitar keys and vocals. Great skill. Mo played effortlessly but Brian was sublime, consummate mastery and brilliance. Total joy to watch. I have been lucky enough to see all his Shadowmania appearences and consider my self priveliged to do so. The Shadowers were a total surprise to me. They played very very well. Very well. Mountains of the Moon and Equinox were massive highlights. Only sad as now I knew Bruce would not be doing them. but by God they were epic in panashe and style. Justin did his job most professionally and I loved his delivery and sound. The Shadowers did a very good job supporting the ever reliable and much loved Jet Harris. I was so pleased for him when with great humility and pride he showed us his MBE. God bless you Jet. You are ace and your set was majestic. What an honour to you that Duane is doing Diamonds.

But....

Nothing can stand in the way of Bruce and his band as a total tour de force. Bob Watkins was revelationary this night. Alan and Cliff cannot surpass themselves as they are always 110% on the money anyway and I love seeing them both. Still though the only combination of Lead and Rhythm guitarists for me is Bruce and Phil (other than Bruce and Hank, also Francis and Rick). Forget the technical issues - Phil was a man in clear control of his playing. Sorry Guys we cant get close. How he was able to play Moonlight Shadow so early in the set was extraordinary. See (the other) Phil's Youtube video. I was there, I was watching this wonderman playing terrifying scale runs without looking at his guitar neck. I loved his sound and he worked hard to get it right for us. We all fight our gear and I reckon the poor chap has only 10 minutes to set it all up before he went on. So please all of you be careful with glib comments about 'sound'. Phil was brilliant - He'a probably 10 times better than all of us on his worst day. I must say Dave the Sound Man was totally on form. No trouble from him and his PA was outstanding.

I leave the best to last of course. The finest exponent of Guitar and Singing there is. Period. Bruce has no peers for me. Still at his best, he was the top man on the big tour and he gave it everything on Saturday, all day. Phil made a great description of Bruce to me. He said Bruce is the Peoples Shadow. Spot on. Bruce is certainly my Shadow. Of course I admire all of them but Bruce is and always has been my biggest influence in music. I cannot be impartial here. This incredible man has handed over the baton over the whole run of Shadowmania's and how many so-called tribute bands can say they were trained up by the best man and men able to to do so. SM will probably go on but by God it will never, never be the same without the one Man who held 50 years of musical and entertainment brilliance together. I saw first hand Bruce's grace under pressure Saturday night. We forget He had been working all day and played his set late in the evening then afterwards spoke to many people, signed autographs, had pics taken, shook hands. I bet he would have loved to have just sat down with a nice drink for 10 minutes to absorb his monumental achievement. But no - he was seen later, about midnight, gently playing an acoustic with some guys jamming in the hotel bar. He has given his life and his time to us all and we are the richer for it. Even then Bruce had time for a rather pushy guy who insisted Bruce sign his book, twice. Its time we gave something back to this hero who has crafted and made pop music what it is today. Lets give him all our best wishes and say Thank you Bruce, Thank you for everything you mean to us. The Peoples Shadow.

Nick

[OLDEREK]

Thanks Nick .........That is a superb write up just as it was, you have put into words my feelings also.......For me the whole week end was wonderful, I'll never forget it...........Cheers for your report

[roger bayliss]

Well I didn't go this year but I am glad Malcolm was there

Good to hear of it and some great vids and pics and I do hope Bruce Welch considers doing another year (or two) because I would like to go again !

Long may this continue

[nick.nivram]

Thanks Derek.

Nx