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Report Review by Colin Reid
Hank Marvin Gypsy Jazz is led by legendary British guitarist Hank Marvin of The Shadows fame. A guitarist responsible for around 70 singles and numerous hits all around the world around half of which were with Cliff Richard. Whilst there are a couple of songs from The Shadows and a mention of Cliff in his current show the real substance is material from this ensembles debut album ‘Django’s Castle’ and their latest album ‘Foolin’ With The Feds’.
Whilst it isn’t a sold-out show, the beautiful old venue that is Woodville Town Hall is reasonably full. Mostly the crowd are those who grew up with Hank’s music during the 1960s and 1970s although it is nice to see a spread of ages including some younger family members accompanying their older relatives.
The band take the stage; all are dressed in a uniform black pants and shirt Hank’s being the coolest with a western style piping and motifs. He may be approaching 83 years of age but you wouldn’t know it as he looks great not appearing to be carrying a gram of fat. Beaming a wide smile he acknowledges the crowd’s warm applause. The first of the many gentle ‘dad jokes’ comes out “please, please” he feigns modesty but then continues with “please, please don’t stop” before continuing with “It’s great to be back in Adelaide, although at my age its great to be anywhere”. He is so good natured we can’t help but laugh along with his gags and he makes the hall feel like we have been invited into an intimate gathering.
“Tonight you’ll hear some great playing and beautiful harmonies but don’t worry that is purely unintentional”. We all laugh again and then they are off. There is nothing unintentional about the evening. The playing is incredible, the quality of the musicianship outstanding and the harmonies are exquisite. There is a great warmth between the band members and they can be regularly seen exchanging looks, nods and smiles.
The majority of the material is either gypsy jazz standards or reimagining’s of timeless classics. Think Django Reinhardt, Duke Ellingtion and Irvine Berlin interspersed with little stories and insights into the world of gypsy jazz as well as more ‘dad jokes’. There are a couple of Shadows songs worked into the show such as ‘Navram’ from the very first Shadows album, “that was released all the way back in 61, 1861!” quips Hank. Also there is a story about a Polish Hungarian jazz guitarist who one upped Django Reinhardt by only using one finger “you should have heard him….he was awful” which led into a few bars of the Cliff Richards and The Shadows hit ‘Living Doll’ which was played one fingered.
They played on for an hour and half playing music that alternately took us to Parisian cafes or Spanish caravans or to the heart of New York before the audience rose to give the band a standing ovation. Whilst no doubt some of the crowd had been hoping for more of the hits of the 1960s and 70s we were all left stuck by the brilliance of Hank’s newer direction.
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Adelaide, South Australia, Australia