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This is a fine live document of a vintage band that still rocks when they want to. The mix is not the best, with keys much to prominant, but the performance is wonderful. Perhaps it's a mono soundboard tape with keys overedubbed. I did discover that playback in mono using only the left channel as a source sounds very good. |
Gonzalez(live)
The Shadows' "Gonzalez" is delivered with
more edge than most, and is full bodied. The organ is too prominent, mostly
obscuring the lead guitar, but the performance is superb.
Genie With The Light Brown Lamp(live)
With the keys plying in piano mode, "Genie With The Light Brown
Lamp" romps with fun and delight.
Sombras y Rejas(live)
"Sombras y Rejas" is a very song with a playful melody
and structure, and an exciting energy. Entirely fun, and lush at times too.
Zorongo(live)
"Zorongo" is a song that Los Jets originally cut
in 1961. It's a magnificent song, and they still play it with a lot of energy.
Guitarra Enamorada(live)
Soft and fluid, and on the sophisticated side, "Guitarra Enamorada" flows
in a gentle pace with a bit of a beat.
Guitar Tango(live)
"Guitar Tango" has been done a few times in a various
forms. This is dramatic, nearly classical and emotional. Perhaps the coolest
of the covers out there, it rivals the Challengers.
El Vito(live)
"El Vito" is vibrant and emotional, dramatic and hot-blooded.
I like the flair the band displays, and the energy of their performance.
Los Cuattro Muleros(live)
"Los Cuattro Muleros" (The Four Mule Drivers or Mule
Skinners) is a saucy number with Spanish flair and lots of energy. A wonderful
performance!
Don Quixote(live)
Big drama and romantic melody lines converge in "Don Quixote." It's
fanciful and imaginative, as well as moving. The lead guitar is quite inspired.
El Arlequin de Toledo(live)
Heavier and more powerful than the studio track, "El Arlequin
de Toledo" romps and rocks with epic imagery. Full blooded and
sassy.
Poncho(live)
Playful and fanciful, "Poncho" has a serape on as
he rides his mule across the cactus desert. The song nearly laughs as it
unfolds. Quite nice.
Guadalajara(live)
Gutsy and large, "Guadalajara" is driven by a thick
wash of energy and flair. Some cool guitar lines add to the mystique of the
song.
Zambesi(live)
Los Jets play the venerable Euro intro track "Zambesi" with
spunk and edge. It's a rock solid performance.
This track features Brian Locking on bass. You might know his name
from the Shadows. Locking started out in Vince Taylor's backing
band the Playboys with Tony Sheridan and Brian Bennett,
then moved on to Marty Wilde's backing group the Wild Cats,
which evolved into the Krew Kats. In 1962, he replaced Jet Harris in
the Shadows.
Dakota(live)
This is a very sultry version of this Shadows song. The slide guitar
lines are almost Cooker-like. The fluid "Dakota" features Brian
Locking on harmonica.
Jezabel(live)
Wayne Shanklin's wonderful melody is done with edge and spunk. Perhaps
not as much guts as the Illusions, but certainly among my favorite
versions. I think only the Jigsaw Seen used more energy and drive.
Large power and guitar magic.
Andalucia(live)
This is a tasteful arrangement of Ernesto Lacuona's grand "The
Breeze and I." It's big, features a gutty double picked low-E
verse, and lots of fluid playing. Quite nice.
F.B.I.(live)
One of the more cutesy Shadows songs, "F.B.I." is
bouncy and playful. Los Jets rock it out for their encore.
