Boxing The Shadows 1980-1990

I refute the comment by Whingeing-Pom Alistair that the project "has been completely botched". OK 4 tracks have been omitted but if you are lucky enough to have "Hank Marvin/The Shadows The Singles Collection The 80s and 90s" plus the now almost impossible to find "Shadstrax" you will have these missing tracks. And yes, the book size does prevent it from sitting nicely alongside other CDs in a CD storage unit. I suggest that you ignore these "failings" and concentrate on what you do get which is a very nicely presented "book" of some beautifully played guitar music plus some informative notes by Mike Read printed as a continuous narrative down the left half of each album sleeve (although a booklet complete with photos would have been nicer). Also remember that a lot of the Shadows album catalog is out of print so this is a very welcome release. It is my regret that I never attended a Shadows concert. In fact after having been a fan throughout the 1960s I dropped that interest in the '70s. I am not sure why but I do remember being very disappointed with "Shades of Rock" (no Bruce) which may have had something to do with it. Despite being enraptured with the Marvin, Welch and Farrer releases I didn't pick up on the Shadows again until recently. I really prefer their '60s output but I am delighted to have this set that fills in the '80s for me. Now I need a set that covers the '70s (actually for me it needs to go back to 1967 and "Jigsaw"; I have the first 5 in the "Original Album Series" plus the "Complete Singles: As & Bs 1959-1980"). I am assuming that the author of the album notes, Mike Read, is the author of the now long out of print 1983 book "The Story Of The Shadows". For Shadows fans it is an interesting read so look for it on ebay.

Boxing The Shadows is an impressive new box-set that contains the band's '80s output from the Polydor Records label. This massive box-set contains eleven CD's from the album Change of Address, all the way through to Reflection. The packing itself is quite nicely put together. The outer sleeve is a hardback book with some nice artwork and the full track listing on the back. Inside the book you will find all eleven CD's in a designated cardboard sleeve. Each page contains the album art work on the front and the full details (track list, producer, writing credits, year of release etc) on the back. Alongside these albums details is a mini essay which will provide for an interesting read for all the fans out there. The music itself is an interesting mix of styles. Obviously you will get the trademark sound of The Shadows, but alongside that the band clearly had the guts to update their sound. Okay, so the '80s style featuring heavy synthesisers etc is a little dated by today's standards but back then, I could image that this was a fresh sound for the band and I can respect that. It is different from their '60s material and that in itself provides the listen with a lot of variety, something every band needs. I personally purchased the version that featured an autographed picture from the band themselves. This made the package worth it for me. I may have not had the chance to see the band in person due to being from a younger generation, but I have a huge amount of respect for this band and to own their albums as well as an autograph means a lot. It is safe to say that any fan of The Shadows who would like to acquire their now hard to get '80s catalogue is going to want this box-set. It is reasonably priced and has clearly had a lot of love, respect and thought put into it. Worth every penny.

Glad I bought it. I had a lot on vinyl. Informative set of notes. Good package all round. As it was re done maybe a bit more fire in some tracks would not have gone a miss and perhaps not a set you can play one after another. The musicianship is top notch (as Always) and the choice very varied. One day I hope they will do other decades and maybe a cd on other guitar greats like Freddie King, Lonnie Mack etc. Icing on the cake was an autographed Photo. Nothing at all to suggest anything less than 5 stars though from real muso,s who know what real music is. Will be playing on my radio shows for a long time to come here in Hanks home of Perth W Australia. No guitar weeping here and will soon sell out. Inspiration to anyone who ever picked up an axe.

I must have seen the Shadows touring every album in this box, and this brought back some very happy memories indeed. There were some fans who were disappointed when they left EMI, and I may well have been one of them, but time has been exceedingly kind to most of this material. It's true that their reliance on cover versions became a bit of an annoyance to those of us who were used to hearing their own compositions, but let's face it, they always did them, even in the 1950s. Nobody plays guitar like Hank Marvin, and even on some of the weaker tracks there's no denying the standard of musicianship. We already have a box covering the classic years of the 1960s, all we need now is another one that rounds up the missing EMI albums and I can die a happy man.

This is a fabulous box set featuring all of The Shadows 80,sPolydor output. Extensive sleeve notes from Mike Reid run through the set covering each album in turn. A nice solid box,although i DO wish that the cd,s themselves were in some kind of protective poly sleeve to prevent rubbing. Some of the albums contain bonus tracks which were originally b.sides to single releases and are contained on the appropriate album. Nice to have Guardian Angel(fabulous remaster...listen to Our Albert) and Live at Abbey Road incl.This package is released by Edsel so I'm assuming all albums are remastered. ...they sound great if so.This is an excellent package with all original album sleeves replicated within....oh and a nice hand signed photo from the boys themselves. It would be nice to see EMI do a similar box set for the 60,s and 70,s albums.

Good set if you like the Shadows in the '80s. Comprehensive at 159 different tracks, but not complete as it annoyingly omits 4 tracks Fender Bender, Shadoogie '83, Equinoxe (Part V) (Single edit), Going Home (Single edit). These could easily have been added as bonus tracks.

As a long time Shads fan I was so pleased to obtain this lovely looking box set. Yep, it does contain all the Polydor albums but I was disappointed to see that all the various odds and sods recorded by the Shads during this time with Polydor where not included as bonus tracks. For God's sake there would have been enough room!!!!!!!!!!!!! If a Company is going to take the time an effort to issue a set such as this, why not seek the input of a Shads expert such as Tony Hoffman, as I'm certain he would have been willing to provide a wealth of material and advice. Great music, sloppy reissue.

Asked for this for my Christmas present and was really pleased with it. Great to have all the albums together with b sides etc and the liner notes are a good read too.

Since I'm a Shadows-fan for more than 50 years, this a splendid collection of their work being released between 1980 and 1990. Also the price (57,52 € for 11 CD's with 163 tracks) is a bargain. I would recommend this CD-box to everyone being a Shadows-fan. Enjoy their eternal music !!

Un decennio degli Shadows (1980-1990).

If you love the Shadows, you need this Box Set! Highly recommended!

Good

Excellent as expected.