(New Releases) Exceeded Those Made with Cliff, 23 Tracks As Against 11
1962 This year, for the first time, The Shadows’ own recordings (new releases) exceeded those made with Cliff, 23 tracks as against 11. Still, their more limited involvement with him brought dividends: two Singles at No.1, taking in two classics, ‘The Young Ones’ and ‘Bachelor Boy’, and two at No.2; an Album at No.3; of the various EPs one made No.1, another No.4. Once again, the stream of group compositions did not even begin to run dry: all four contributed to numbers for themselves and/ or for Cliff, the high point here being the superb material for The Boys EP. Now, in fact, The Shadows truly came into their own, by notching up a remarkable four Number Ones in the face of stiff opposition throughout: [47] WONDERFUL LAND, with [69] DANCE ON! following on closely, hitting the top early in 1963 ([49] GUITAR TANGO stalled at No.4); two EPs of five going the rounds: Spotlight On The Shadows (compilation) and The Boys (fresh material); and a second Album, Out Of The Shadows . The Shadows were arguably unlucky with [49] GUITAR TANGO, released in July: it was challenged, and beaten, by a number of big-name vocalists, Frank Ifield, Pat Boone, Ray Charles and Bobby Darin. The other two releases fared better. Their most successful Single ever, and an essential ingredient of live performances, [47] WONDERFUL LAND thrust aside Elvis Presley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’/ ‘Rock-A-Hula Baby’, and enjoyed an eight-week stay at No.1, before being dethroned by B Bumble & The Stingers’ ‘Nut Rocker’.
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