Search - Cliff Richard & Shadows :: Me & My Shadows

After 40 years in the business, this 1960 album still ranks

05/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For me, Me and My Shadows is Cliff Richard's most definitive album from his early career. This album breaks ground in three ways: many of the songs were written by Shadows alumni Bruce Welch and Hank Marvin (along with friend Ian 'Sammy' Samwell who had written Cliff's first hit Move It);Gee Whiz It's You was the first single ever released from a Cliff Richard album;and it was Cliff's first studio album that contained just his voice and the Shadows backing. Previous efforts had included strings, but this was the real thing. The album contains a great mix of rock songs and balads. As rock songs, I'm Gonna Get you,I Cannot Find A True Love,She's Gone, and Gee Whiz It's You stand up even today and I never tire of hearing them. The balads have a simpleness to them that make them very listenable. I Love You So, which Cliff co-wrote with Sammy Samwell and Jet Harris,is my personal favourite. Cliff's backup group The Shadows is at its best on this album. This is the original iteration of the group: Hank B. Marvin on lead;Jet Harris on bass;Bruce Welch on rhythm;and Tony Meehan on drums. The group is tight, in no way amateurish, and the lead work of Hank B. Marvin is some of his best ever. I was delighted when I found out that this album was available on CD. My LP was much the worse for wear after 35 years of play. Cliff Richard has attained so much since the pre-Beatle days when Me and My Shadows was originally released, but this is still my favourite Cliff Richard album of all time! Discover(or re-discover) it for yourself."

Gee whiz it's you

Peter Lim | Vancouver BC, Canada | 03/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent Cliff Richard album worth collecting, if not for the songs, then the superb music arrangement (guess) by the Shadows. I always love the early simplistic Shadows tunes like Apache, Peace Pipe, as well as the marauding Stingray amongst others. Cliff's vocal is enchanting in almost all the song compilation in "Me & my Shadows", which I first listened with much pleasure whilst a high schoolboy in Malaysia. The rock tunes such as Geewhiz It's You, and the slower ballads are delightful and pleasant to the ears. They reflects the teen aspirations of those wonderful years gone, as in the 60's. I can truly relive the many happy memories as I listen to the tracks again. Those who can appreciate Cliff & the Shadows style of music will most likely enjoy this particular CD. Happy listenings!!"

The Best British Rock 'N' Roll Album

D. M. Farmbrough | Wisconsin, USA | 01/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This competes with Billy Fury's The Sound Of Fury for the above title. Whereas Billy had Joe Brown, Cliff had a raw, energetic, and skilfull Hank Marvin on lead guitar, showing everyone in England what this new Fender Stratocaster could do. Bruce's Rhythm guitar and Jet's Bass are in perfect time, and Tony Meehan's slick, energetic percussion (lots of snare and rim taps)gives a quality feel to the whole. Special mention must be made of Norrie Paramor's production. Every instrument and every voice is crystal clear, so the skill of all involved shows. Cliff is himself more professional than he was on his debut 'Cliff' album, but this does not detract from his cool teenage, slightly American intonation. One of the best things about this album is the mixture of American cover versions and English originals. The Shadows (and their former members Pete Chester and Ian Samwell) show themselves to be fine tunesmiths with great fast numbers like Choppin' and Changin', and I Cannot FInd A True Love, whereas Cliff gives ballads like Evergreen Tree a timeless quality. This is probably the best album Cliff and the Shadows ever made, and it is strange to think that these rebellious teenagers from Newcastle and India are now O.B.Es and knights of the realm."