The show kicked off with one of The Shadows' classic instrumentals, Shindig. I don't think I'd ever heard this one played at Ipswich before, so it was good to hear it played live. Although the expertise of the musicians could not be questioned, I found the concert disappointing in terms of sound quality.

Hank looked extremely confident on stage getting more palsy with the audience than previous visits. The stage definitely belonged to him! It almost seemed like he'd invited the audience into the comfort of his own living room. This was evident when he explained to the audience about his ability to play anywhere in the theatre thanks to his cordless remote-controlled gear. When someone up in the balcony said, "Come up here then!", he said, "I don't want to!" Although Hank has always thrown in some humour for good measure at his gigs, he excelled himself this time with numerous wisecracks. One in particular that the audience liked was his revelation that he'd originally been asked to play James Bond's brother Premium! Maybe a little corny, but if you were there you would have appreciated that its the way the man "tells 'em."

For me the highlights of the evening were Mustang and Gonzales, which were both played with such enthusiasm that suddenly everything seemed perfect. The audience really loved those two pieces and Don't Cry for Me Argentina which was rewarded with great applause (both before and after it was played); according to Hank the person hired to take the lead in the film version was Maradona! A place though must be reserved for Hank's backing band. They were all contributing so much to the sound that it must be said that it was their show as well.

Mark Griffiths on bass guitar, as always, gave steady and dexterous support throughout. Maybe it was because of a sound problem, or because of where I was sitting up to the right in the circle, but I only got to appreciate Mark's bass lines when they where more pronounced, such as on Pipeline, Nivram, the rock and roll medley, and the acoustic instrumental pieces. Nivram, of course proved to be the concert's showcase for his skills. Conclusion: An excellent player!

Warren Bennett tends to keep a low profile at the concerts I've been to. Do not be fooled. This musician might tend to "hide his light under a bushel" and be considered by some to be a "backroom boy", but he has a long list of credits in composing and arranging. This certainly shows, not only on the albums that feature him, but also on stage. His rhythm guitar playing is not to be sniffed at either, as he lends support to the vocal and some of the older Shadows numbers. Well done Warren!

Matthew Letley, although hidden behind the drums, gave the whole show excitement and backbone with his playing. Recognition was duly bestowed upon him after Shindig. It was a real pity that he didn't have a spot of his own with a "Little B" type solo. Maybe he couldn't be persuaded to, out of respect for Brian Bennett, who as all Shads fans know is an extremely (if not impossible) act to follow! Nevertheless, I think he would have been more than up to the task, and I believe the audience would have been thrilled.

Ben Marvin, started to play the guitar at sixteen. By the time he was nineteen he was competent enough for his dad to invite him to be his rhythm guitarist on the 1994 UK tour. Six years down the line sees him providing additional lead guitar parts which compliment Hank's sound so well. Just hear him let rip on The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt! This year we were able to see more of how Ben's playing continues to mature. A fantastic demonstration of his current abilities was on display during the acoustic guitar number - which because I obviously missed the proper name for it I will refer to as - The Irish Dance. Talk about fast fingers!