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It seemed fitting that Hank chose Chichester Festival Theatre as the opening venue for the UK leg of the tour. The venue itself is almost totally 'in the round' and lent itself very well to Hank and his band! - you felt like you were in an intimate club setting - and it gave me a very good opportunity to have a good look at Hank and everyone!! People who I talked to agreed, saying Hank was easily visible from almost every angle which is not always in the case in the more traditional venues and we all enjoyed being that bit closer to 'our' hero!
From conversation with JJ Hank’s sound man a couple of days
prior to Chichester, I mentioned that the venue was in the round, JJ of course was well
aware of this having visited the venue whilst working with a band (can't remember the name
sorry!) back in the 1980s. Any worries that any one had vis a vis the sound for this
gig need not of worried. it was all spot on..! my only niggle being that it could have
been louder (but I like my music at 1,000,000 decibels anyway so take no
notice of me!! )
Highlights of the show for me were - the vocal rock and roll stuff which was excellent - Hank is the only one in my view who can play - 'Move It' in that particular way... don't ask me how he just does! Also the acoustic sections were absolutely wonderful - if you are like me, a massive fan of the new Hank album - "Guitar Player" you will love this part of the show!
Sitting there watching Hank play - I do not know honestly how he gets his fingers to the places they go - just awe inspiring, believe me! and Ben is no slouch on guitar either! Mark also sat in playing 5 string bass - although Hank said he only played on 1 string - (I think he was joking!) The new drummer Fergus Gerrand has an impressive musical pedigree and has worked with a wide variety of artists, and according to the tour programme has a collection of over 300 percussive instruments - he certainly brought a new dimension to the band - being more than competent and, at one point, was playing an empty guitar case as accompaniment. I was also thrilled to bits that they played "Shazam" which is one of my particular favourites - to hear that was a great thrill for me and brought back a very happy memory as "Shazam" was the very first track I heard Hank play when I first saw him live back in 1983 - Happy memories! Of course Shadows tracks were played, Hank, I suppose has to do some but I honestly sat there thinking I would have loved to have heard a whole concert of just Hank's solo stuff and I would have been just as happy, but overall, I think Hank got the balance just right been solo & Shads stuff.
Cazz - April 2002