Hank Plays Cliff

This 16-track CD presents Hank Marvin's reconsideration of Cliff Richard's hits in a notably laid-back, largely instrumental style. It isn't really rock by most people's definition of the term, but it is a rather elegant representative of how Marvin, in his 50's, accompanied by his son and working with a second generation of rock performers, saw the music in the 1990s. Marvin and company try for virtuosity rather than excitement on numbers ranging from "Move It" (for which author and original Shadows member Ian Samwell wrote a new verse nearly 40 years after the original) and "Living Doll" to "Devil Woman." The arrangements, mostly by Warren Bennett, are expansive reworkings of the originals, all heavily featuring Marvin's Signature Series Stratocaster, usually along with Bennett's electronic keyboards; Cliff Richard also shows up on two numbers to provide vocals in a manner as relaxed as the rest of this album -- none of which is terribly bracing but all of which is well played. The reworking of "The Young Ones" is the best track on the album. ~ Bruce Eder