Search - Shadows of Knight :: Gloria

Chicago Rocks!

bc5 | Chicago, IL United States | 08/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an album! Not to take anything away from Van Morrison but if you lived on the NW side of Chicago, or in the NW suburbs in the Mid-60's, this was THE version of "Gloria." I don't want to analyze it too much but I think by taking the organ out, The Shadows made it a bit more primitive.A couple of weeks ago, more than 35 years later, I'm at carnival in the Chicago burbs and some of the old Chicago rockers are playing there. This guy Ronnie Rice who used to be with the New Colony 6 does kind of a "human jukebox" gig where he comes out and plays a whole bunch of 60's songs, sometimes all the way through, sometimes just snippets. Anyway, he's at the carnival and he starts playing "Wild Night" by Van Morrison, then he starts "Brown Eyed Girl." He stops singing "Brown Eyed Girl" but keeps playing the chords. He says something like, "you might be wondering why I'm doing 2 Van songs in a row. Well, we got a guy whose band had a big hit with a Van Morrison song,....." and he brings out the Shadows of Knight's lead singer, Jimmy Sahns and they finish up "Brown Eyed Girl" and then break into "Gloria."I was sitting there with a friend of mine, and she used to see The Shadows at the Cellar in Arlington Heights in the 60's. And for us, and especially her, it was a true rock and roll moment to see the leader of Chicago's rockin-est 60's band, back on his home turf.So, if any of this makes any sense to you, do yourself a favor and pick up this gem of garage rock from the Chicago suburbs!"

The Best Rock, EVER!!! The Shadows of Knight

Mark Twain | Marquette, MI USA | 06/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had this record back when it came out. I saw The Shadows play a few times and my brother's band, The Chosen Few, played with them once or twice. I tried and tried to find it and then it came out with it on CD & LP. Now I have a mint CD & LP to look at and a CD to play. It is the best rock and early white rock blues you will ever hear, anywhere. The vocals, and guitar work are second to none. Additionally, great controlled distortion, reverb & sustain & the clearest sounding Mid-West 60's lead guitar rifts you'll ever find. Zepplein, The Who & Stones had nothing on these monsters of the midway. This is a must. Get it, every song is great, no junk, pure hard driven rock!!!!"

Shadows Of Knight - 'Gloria' (Sundazed)

Mike Reed | USA | 12/08/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A couple of reasons I wanted to review this disc.Very often,I have much younger fans asking me about which band did 'this song,it goes like this...'.They're often amazed that many of these tunes they inquire about are actually over thirty years old.Sort of gives you hope for the future,doesn't it?Does me,anyway.Second,this album has been reissued several times now and I think it deserves much praise.The opener/title track "Gloria" has vocalist Jim Sohns literally giving the Van Morrison gem new life.No freakin' wonder this tune had become a staple in garage rock.I had NO idea until now that "Oh Yeah" was a minor hit for Shadows Of Knight.Both lp and single version are on the disc.Also enjoyed their heavy bluesy "Light Bulb Blues","Dark Side" and "Someone Like You".There are a couple of standards as well,"Hoochie Coochie Man" and Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock".Too bad this genre isn't 'in' anymore.Yep,a real shame."