Is this the right forum for this? I've just got the new Hank Marvin CD (Guitar Man) and it's so very disappointing to me, for I'm a true fan.. Hank is one of the guitar greats, but on this new album he just won't let go and go with his music. It's lift music, there, I've said it. Sorry Hank, but it's so sad. So very, very sad.

Is it a cover album? Is that what you mean by him not going with his music? I'm looking at his allmusic profile and it looks like he's been putting out mostly cover albums and nothing new for a while.

He has, yes it's true, for cover versions are indeed his thing these days. He did a fine CD in praise of the Favino acoustic guitar a few years ago when he laid aside the Stratocaster he usually favours. Yes, it's covers again - unworthy, surely, of a man of such talent - but I suppose it pays the rent.

I've always thought of Hank Marvin as a very likeable guy, but more of a competant musician than a guitar great, it's just my opinion and ain't worth a fig I know, but I don't place him anywhere near in the same league as guys like Brian May, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix etc. He's more of a Bert Weedon style 'plodder' in my book.

Hank Marvin is almost as good a comedian as he is a musician Bert Weedon is a good comparison, Blam He is in the Bert Weedon mould when it comes to professionalism and skill but, yes,he has never been a great artist.No surprise, then, that his output has long been samey.

On the other hand, he is someone who looks his age, unlike Saint Sir Cliff Richard

His influence on future generations of huitar players though has been enormous. His was a very original sound back then and he was the first to use a Fender Stratocaster guitar in the UK, which had been specially imported from the States. Many guitarists cite Hank as a big influence on their own playing, including Pete Townshend, Frank Zappa, Neil Young, Jimmmy Page, Jeff Beck,Mark Knopfler and Andy Powell.
http://www.theworkspr.com/music/hank_marvin.htm
Hank, incidentally, is 12 and a half months younger than Cliff Richard!! And I remember someone once saying at a concert that he was five days younger than John Lennon, which surprised me somewhat. So I looked it up, and it's true.

Have you ever seen that interview with Michael Parkinson and Cliff? He tells the story about them having this Fender Stratocastor flown in from the States, when it arrived, they all (Cliff & the Shadows) sat in a room, opened the box and just sat there looking at it in awe for ages!!! You can just picture these young guys, totally mesmerised!

I'm amazed we've had no imput from Ritz on this thread! He's a grumpy old fart sometimes I know, but I do value his opinion.
SHHH! Don't tell him I said that though!