by tolo » 27 Jul 2020, 20:10
... interesting one. It is incredible and actually a real tribute to us, the fans, who now see these old recordings as the definitive definition of ‘perfection’ - the fluffs, the simplicity of equipment at the time, the age of the performers (for me, Hank had a wonderful and inate sense of timing and touch even at the age of 17) - that we try to replicate these recordings as we have come to know them - perfectly imperfect. I am sure that the band will hate some particular performances more than others - to to us those recordings are actually beautiful because of the odd mis fretted note, or rattle on the string, or timing anomaly. This is really what makes them wonderful! For example, ‘The Shadows at their very best’ is an oxymoron - because here you have classic tracks re-recorded ‘perfectly’ - but without the edge, rawness, passion, excitement and wonder of those boys back then and those original sessions. That record sounds like a tribute band. It is sterile. Why do that?
Personally, I love the ‘fluffs‘ - one offs, legendary hooks - whatever we call them - and I love that most of us who try and get to the holy grail try to reproduce them exactly! We all have our own idiosyncrasies and loves - for me the bells in Maroc 7!!
Hank didn’t know at the time - but every slip, finger movement, damp release...would have people talking, debating and forensically examining his no events that day 50 odd years later...
It is wonderful.
Tony