INTERNATIONAL FANS MEETING
Eindhoven 27th Sept
Report and photographs by Christophe Chen
A thousand 'BRAVOS' to TOM VERHAGEN and the Dutch Shads Fan Club.
I was in Eindhoven last Saturday, and it was a great success my friends! I drove there under a foggy day such as only London knows. The Motel Eindhoven is a large hotel with many people from all horizons, and of course all the fans who were there to attend the INTERNATIONAL SHADOWS FAN-MEETING HOLLAND organized by TOM VERHAGEN.
The scene took place at the hotel basement and started at noon with the afternoon show. The stage was surrounded by many record dealers and Shadows collectomania. Yet at this time people were still rushing there. So it was in a very warm atmosphere with people drinking and lunching around tables, being served by waiters or help by themselves.Very smoky and noisy chats all around but many famous people and Shads mates to meet in there, such as Otto KASPER (he's a guitarist too), Erich Boss from Germany, many from the French Fan club including Bernard and spouse, and so on... Great reunion!
It all started by THE STINGRAYS and singer Ton ADAMS who warmed the atmosphere despite some rush at the bar, and records stands. Then came the French band GUITAR EXPRESS with some talented Shadows numbers rarely heard in a usual gig, such as '24-36-24', 'See you in my drums'.
I was still curious to hear the Dutch guitarists band 'FBI' (Roy Soerioroseno-lead; Hoss van Hardeveld-bass; Rob Hengeveld-rhythm and Constant Mulder on drums) because I've heard friends say how good they are; above all Roy, the lead guitarist who played with Bruce Welch in 1993 when forming the Bruce Welch's band 'The Moonlight Shadows'. And indeed, when FBI appeared on stage they were hugely applauded. They took very seriously the charge with some great Shadows original sound quality through their Red Fender strats. They played many numbers, and the one I'm still amazed at is 'Little B' in which drums solo respected the original Brian Bennett version with all the famous phrases. This drum performance was very highly acclaimed by the audience.At last, I could heard 'Little B' in his original version from a live performance! Bravos to the FBI 's drummer Constant Mulder.
To close the afternoon show, The STINGRAYS were back on stage for some Cliff songs such as 'WE SAY YEAH'. Then, it was the break time at around 5:00 pm. The meeting room was transformed for a larger room and more space to prepare for the evening show.
The LOCAL HEROES arrived at the Motel at around 6:30 pm. I was very pleased to meet Jet & Janet Harris again. Jet was in a VERY dynamic and enthousiastic humour. Very happy to see Jet in such a good shape! He was accompanied by his DIAMONDS bandmate lead guitar Laurel JONES who came just for fun! After a warm congratulations to our idols stars surrounded by fans who asked for autographs and photos, we were asked to let them check the sound for the night gig.
Barry Gibson has his barb cut this time, Brian Locking was dying to play his special numbers as ever, Alan Jones had his hair cut and wore glasses like Hank Marvin with his blue eyes, Phil Kelley was determinated to take the lead for some numbers, Clem Cattini and Cliff Hall were in a good shape too.
Well this time reunion is quite exceptional 'cause The LOCAL HEROES broght with them a special command set of their NEW CD in a limited edition for fan clubs. No idea at this time what the CD sounded like, but most of everyone there bought a copy to be dedicated by the Heroes themselves! The CD is titled 'ONE OF OUR SHADOWS IS MISSING' a 40th Anniversary Tribute (1958-1998). And the cover booklet and the disc design already awared us about the exceptional quality achievement they did. Special guests such as Jet, Tony Meehan, Licorice, Bennett (father & son) featured altogether in this set and when I listened to it at last, well I can assure you that it should be the best instrumental CD of the year !
I will say no more about this CD 'cause I would need to write a book to explain, so I will let you discover it (as Brian Locking said to me). Each number talks for itself. Just saying that NIVRAM is shared-played by Jet & Alan with two different styles with Jet begging Alan to play the bass partition that killed him (I'm sure you'll quite understand what Jet meant).I really think that the LOCAL HEROES is actually the only after-Shadows band and they've got their own original sound now. Only the titles are to protect the authors in this naked city! So, don't miss it. This CD is quite at last their first one but not least!
Well, the night gig started with GUITAR SYNDICATE from Belgium to allow our Heroes the time to have dinner and to rest a little. At 10:30, the LOCAL HEROES made their entrance, and there is no need for me to tell you that they were hugely acclaimed. Despite a noisy atmosphere with fans moving in and out of the audience to have some collations etc...the sound was perfect and loud as ever. The stage was engulfed by fans meeting their idols, and so did I.
It took more than half of an hour to ease the stage access and let the show begin, after Alan Jones and Barry intervention for help. Tom Verhagen was quite busy this night, running from left to right.
The LOCAL HEROES played most of the same numbers they did in France last May. Jet Harris played Burns bass guitar on 'Apache' 'Kon-Tiki' 'the Frightened City' and took the lead guitar on 'Diamonds' and 'Scarlet O'Hara' whilst Alan Jones took the bass. Jet due to leave the stage quite straight after his fantastic performance to avoid fans rush. Brian Locking played Burns bass guitar on 'Dance On' 'Foot Tapper' and hang on his harmonica on 'Dakota' 'Argentina' and 'Atlantis'. Phil Kelley playing the rhythm part took the lead on 'Blue sky, blue sea, blue me' 'Deep Purple'. Cliff Hall enjoyed to entertain the show despite the very hot and smoky atmosphere, and made it cooler as ever. So that some couples went on dancing in front of the stage between tables.
Barry Gibson has changed his lead guitar sound a little bit for a more funky rock style, and as the band used to play until late at night, this time the guitars had the sharps illuminated! The whole gig ended at midnight with some 'encores', but the stage was engulfed once again by fans.
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I enjoyed to chat with Clem Cattini, the TORNADOS' original creator, who is the only drummer having 42 N°1 Hits in the worldwide charts, and having played with various top chartting artists such as Cliff Richard's Devil Woman. His name will always fly around my mind like the TELSTAR fame !
Maybe no use to talk about Barry Gibson's fame, as his career achievement is as big as a top session guitarist, Hank Marvin not to mention! Barry is pretty appreciated by the French audience, as he used to play with our all time great folk guitarist late Marcel Dadi, who left us tragically last year in an air crash. Barry dedicated to Marcel Dadi his new CD album starting by Dadi's Shadows favorite number : SHINDIG!
Well, that 's all for now. Just hope this little report will please you.
So many things to tell, but the most important thing is the LOCAL HEROES new brand genius CD containing
the following titles:
- SHINDIG (The best I've heard and it's true !)
- MOONLIGHT SHADOWS
- JESSICA
- ROUNDING THE CAFE
- SACHA (At last the new version on CD! dedicated to the memory of late Jerry LORDAN)
- THE GHOST OF OLD COMPTON STREET
- FLINGLE BUNT (Excellent new rhythm version)
- HAD TO BE (From Heathcliff)
- NIVRAM (long last version - special duet JET/ALAN + intro + piano part)
(Also the best version I've heard since!)
- I'll STAND BY YOU
- THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (Special Jet release !)
- FRENCH RENDEZ-VOUS (dedicated to late Diana Princess of Wales)
- ONE OF OUR SHADOWS IS MISSING (Is that Bruce ....?)
- TOCCATA IN D MINOR (Excellent Cliff. HALL/Bach intro....Genius)
- LOVE SO BEAUTIFUL
- TRAINSPOTTING (dedicated to fans...?)
Well, what a trip ! The next Dutch Shadows meeting day will take place in March '98, but
the LOCAL HEROES is not planned yet, or won't be.
All my congratulations and thanks to Barry Gibson and his band whose fame did
not change them. Wishing more and more gigs and reunions with our HEROES very soon!
A message from Barry: You could connect to his website and leave him message telling him what you think about his new CD with the band.
text and photos © Christophe Chen 1997