MARVIN, WELCH & FARRAR/SECOND OPINION SRZA 8504 (-71) UK

This is very nice listening. Voted by Abbey Road studio engineers in the seventies as one of the best sounding albums ever made there. The combo can be seen as The Shadows by another name with a different direction. As the story goes Hank Marvin was fed up with only being recognized for guitar play and the Cliff Richard backing, so he and fellow member Bruce Welch teamed up with Australian singer and guitarist John Farrar to form a group more relying on vocal harmonies than clever instrumentals. They released two albums as a trio and one as Marvin & Farrar. However the public didn't fancy the transition. The albums had low sales and at concerts the audience didn't want the new stuff, but demanded them to play "Apache" and other Shadows hits. By 1973 they gave up and "The Shadows" reappeared. This was the combos second album. It's a very pleasant experience. Only original songs, many with multi-layer harmonies and overall perfect guitars. It's as far from The Shadows as you can get, more reminding of Hollies or Crosby, Stills & Nash and it don't stand back to any of those. The audio is stunning, having a kind of natural softness without losing the authenticity or edge. Good for both ears and mind. It was produced by the group, but I guess engineer Peter Vince - one of Abbey Road's top names who worked with Beatles, Hollies and Shadows - had a lot to do with the final result. On CD 1991 (See For Miles SEE CD 325). US vinyl issue on Sire (SAS-7403). First UK with label as shown here and matt fold/out cover. (RÄZ*)(CXÄ*)