Search - Hank Marvin :: Guitar Player

Acoustic triumph for England's pioneer Stratocaster player

D. M. Farmbrough | Wisconsin, USA | 04/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is something of a return to form for Hank. Remember the good old days of the late 1960s and early 1970s? The Shadows and Hank would always come up with something interesting even if it didn't dent the charts. With his resumed solo career in the late 1990s, Hank tended to make albums of cover versions that sold well, but which had little originality.
Now he's back, and with an acoustic guitar! The first man to own a Strat in England, Hank has only once or twice abandoned electric models for acoustics, notably on Guitar Tango. It's a shame, because he really is very accomplished. With arrangements by classical guitarist Gary Taylor and others, Hank veers away from the tried and tested formula of his last few albums and does things a little differently, so much so that it can take you a little while to realise what song is being played. This is done by emphasising counter-melodies or harmonies that were hidden in the original versions. The real gems here are Killing Me Softly, Midnight At The Oasis, and Hotel California, but I am sure you will have your own faves. Added to this are a few original tracks by Hank & friends, notably Benny's Toon which is a great jazz number and Maya's Day.Well done Hank, and let's see you do something different again next time (perhaps the piano?).P.S. I am delighted to see this has made the top ten U.K. album chart!"