Ask any British guitarist about early influences, and they’ll invariably
cite the Shadows. An instrumental powerhouse, the Shadows are famous for backing
singer Cliff Richard during the 50s and 60s, but also noted for their own brand
of musical savior faire and hit records. After numerous reunions and one-offs,
core members Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch and Brian Bennett supposedly took it around
the bend one last time on The Final Tour, captured live on
June 5, 2004 at the Cardiff Indoor Arena , and now available for public viewing
on DVD and Blu-ray.
Never mind the sedate vibe that enshrines the production — just let yourself
float away to the echoing sounds of twin Strats driven through Vox amps in a
sort of Shadowy manner. The choreographic Shadows “walk” by Marvin,
Welch and bassist Mark Griffiths add a certain charm to the proceedings, but
it’s that Strat-Vox tone that makes everything from “Riders In The
Sky” and “Sleepwalk” to “Theme Of The Deer Hunter”
sing with that more than distinctive ring.
“Let Me Be The One,” the first song of the night to feature vocals,
changes the pace so much you’re bound to think it’s another group.
The harmonies are just as high level as the musicianship. In any scenario, you
have to wonder if the Stratocaster could scream and shout with any more authority
than when it’s played by the Shadows.
Marvin talks about recording “Going Home (theme From Local Hero)”
with Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits, and it’s hard to imagine a more striking
melody within the context of a Shadows/Straits mix. Meanwhile, the shade shifts
and lightens when the acoustic guitars come out. “Nivram” and “My
Home Town” are but mere previews for the blossoming of “Guitar Tango,”
a magical spectacle of boundless interconnectivity that affirms the Shadows,
even in their final lap, could do no wrong.
With over three hours of music and a 45-minute interview tacked on, the tour
captured on The Final Tour was apparently so successful that
the Shadows have kept going, on their own and backing Richard. Who can blame
them? As “Apache,” their first Number One, closes out the show,
you can tell by the smiles that they weren’t ready to hang it up just
yet. Could this mean The Final Tour 2 could be on the horizon?
Like surfers looking for the perfect wave, we’ll wait out the next set.
~ Shawn Perry
