Search - Hank Marvin :: Guitar Man

"Smooth originals meet classic covers"

Daniel S. Sullivan | Gibbstown,N.J. USA | 09/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hank Marvin's 2007 "Guitar Man" is mostly rooted in the "smooth jazz" idiom, particularly the original compositions, but Hank's strength has always been re-crafting someone else's material.



David Gates' "Guitar Man" is a wonderfully melodic performance that rocks along smoothly, and the vibrato bar wobbles the melody line "just so".



Cat Stevens' "Wild World" is faithful to the original.



"Light My Fire" is inspired by Jose Feliciano's cover more than the Doors' original, but well played, nonetheless.



Especially standing out are the two Beatles covers;



Legend has it that Paul McCartney wrote "Here There and Everywhere" for the Shadows, and even previewed it for them, but while making the demo, producer George Martin convinced Paul to put it on the next Beatles album, "Revolver".

41 years later, Hank finally records the classic ballad, and does a really nice version.



The other Beatles cover is the album's closer: George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

Hank's performance truly rocks, especially during the solo section. A fitting climax to the album.



Hank's mellowed as the years have passed, but there are still flashes of dash from Hank Marvin: Guitar Man. 4 stars."