"Wonderful Land" is a near-perfect instrumental tune - released as a single by THE SHADOWS in 1962. It was recorded by The Shadows' original line up of Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Jet Harris and Tony Meehan. The single reached number 1 in the UK Chart where it remained for the next 8 weeks. Get this - It stayed at #1 in the UK for more weeks than any other single during the whole of the 1960s - including all the number one singles released by The Beatles.
Listen or download here: "Wonderful Land" - The Shadows
The song was finally knocked off the top by another instrumental, "Nut Rocker" by B. Bumble & The Stingers. This was the first Shadows track to feature an instrumental backing. The lads had the song in the can for 9 months and while we they on tour, they hired the famous conductor, Norrie Paramour added French horns & strings. It was the first time that a rock group had used an orchestra and it was #1 for weeks." The title, "Wonderful Land" was a reference to America.
1963
1970
1 comments:
I love everything about The Shadows. Great musicians (check out some of Jet Harris's solo stuff here:
http://ontheflip-side.blogspot.com/2010/04/song-of-week-man-with-golden-arm-jet.html )
Great nerd look, and, most of all, Hank Marvin had perfect tone on that pink Strat. Thanks for sharing with us.
Morgan
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